A good financial plan should be able to enable you to set a financial goal or target you will be working towards achieving. Financial plan does not only apply to an individual; it also applies to a small or big business or organisation.
Generally, what financial plan simply means is a set of steps, moves or goals through which an individual or business can attain certain financial goal such as being debt-free (getting out of debt), retirement plan, etc.
Nowadays, we are all living in a world where achieving a financial goal is an elephant task. It is one of those things that when you look at the magnitude of it, you get this sense that it’s just hopeless, pointless, just too big like eating an elephant.
However, it’s good to have a financial goal no matter how difficult it’s going to be in order to achieve it than to end up in debts. Having a financial goal gives you an opportunity to plan ahead in case there is a change in circumstances.
Please read: Smart Tips On How You Can Set Your Savings Goals
What Is Your Financial Goal In 2014?
2013 is another year for you to ensure that you are keeping up with your financial obligations. What are your financial plans and financial goals for the year 2013? What do you intend to achieve financially and how do you plan to achieve them?
Financial goals sometimes include a series of steps or specific goals for spending and saving future income. However, whatever your financial goal this year, you can make it happen if you are seriously interested in achieving your goal.
Whether your financial goal is to spend less and save more, you can’t achieve it without a budget which will enable you to organize your finances.
There are several online financial planning services that can help you create and maintain your own money management plan. Below are top 5 financial goals you should be considering in 2014.
#1). Spending Less, Saving More
In most cases, a large number of the population are in a situation where they spend about two-third of their income on essential stuff like food, accommodation and transportation.
What this means is that it leaves little for them to provide for savings and other payments such as utilities or household costs.
If you are in this kind of situation, what you need is to create a periodical or annual budget by allocating spending goals for each stuff or category.
#2). Tracking Your Spending, Taking Control Of Your Finance
Do you want to be in control of your finance? Keeping track of every expenditure periodically can offer insight into unnecessary wastes, from restaurant meals to cab rides.
Money management tools such as mobile banking app or online banking can give you access to your bank account 24/7. So wherever you are, you can keep an eye on your account any time.
#3). Improving Your Income, Earning Money From Other Sources
At times, you might have to look for another source of income to be able to meet up with your financial obligations. Today’s lack of job security means anyone could lose their job or face a salary cut.
This is why you need to consider looking for other options and sources of income. If you are skillful with your hands or passionate about writing, teaching and others, you might try find out whether your passions can be another source of income for you.
#4). Managing Your Debt, Paying Off High-Interest-Rate Debt
Some people try to shy away from their debts rather than managing them and this can only lead to one destination – more debts and probably bankruptcy.
If your financial goal is to reduce your debts, you will have to make sure that you are doing it right. Pay off high-interest-rate debt such as credit card loans quickly.
Stop using your credit cards and make sure you ‘re keeping up with the payments which can help you reduce fees and interest rate charges.
#5). Planning Your Retirement, Saving For Future Investment
If your financial goal is to save for something special such as a paradise island holiday, mutual funds and other investment products, it can take a big chunk out of your earnings.
However, it can be done by starting to save with small amount of money. Don’t start big, start small and watch your saving grows. Your savings could be really helpful in retirement and that’s why you should be planning for your future right from now on.
