Building your future

How do I set good financial goals?

You deserve a life full of happiness, and having financial goals can help you envision and shape your ideal future by influencing the actions you take today. If you can identify at least one benefit you hope to gain by taking control of your finances, you might be ready to begin setting short- and long-term financial goals.

To get started, consider registering for an upcoming "Goal & Tools" virtual finance class. This 90-minute class is designed to help you develop short-, intermediate-, and long-term goals, and learn the tools to attain those goals, such as banking and budgeting.

Not ready to take a live class? To set financial goals, you can also use the New York Mortgage Coalition’s Financial Goal Setting Worksheet, which covers:

  • Committing to change
  • Identifying your core values and what motivates you
  • Determining your focus
  • Setting financial goals based on your motivation, focus, and core values

If you are not sure what to include in certain parts of the worksheet, that’s ok! This exercise isn’t about creating the “best” or “perfect” goals but rather to help you envision what is possible, and to take a step towards your desired future. 

To make the most of this exercise, consider discussing or completing worksheet prompts with someone you trust who knows you well. You can also work with a financial counselor or domestic violence advocate to brainstorm and implement financial goals that are meaningful and significant to you.

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