Pleasanton, CA – Financial Goal-Setting 101: Benefits & Tips from an Advisor

Setting financial goals provides a road map to success

It’s hard to reach a destination when you aren’t sure where you’re going or how to get there. Many people try to make smart financial decisions, but they don’t have a goal to measure those choices against. Setting a financial goal and creating benchmarks to achieving it can provide direction to your financial decisions and ultimately help you spend smarter.

I’m a financial adviser with Modern Woodmen of America. I’m based right here in the Castro Valley, and I have a passion for helping people live out their dreams through personalized financial planning. I’m fortunate to have worked with people at all stages of life from Pleasanton, San Leandro and all over the Bay Area.

I discuss financial goals with my clients during our introductory meeting. Some clients have clearly defined plans for their finances, but most have goals that are broad and unspecific. I can help you define your main objectives and create a plan to achieve them.

Here are some of the benefits of having clear financial goals and a few tips on how to tailor them to your specific situation.

1. Understand you’re unique. You don’t have to have the same goals as your parents, friends or anyone else. Many potential clients start conversations saying, “My parents say I should be debt-free.” Therefore, they want to be debt free. It might make sense to pay off all your debts. However, if your goal is to own a home, it would be nearly impossible to do so if you were debt-free. Know what you want, then we can plan to go after it.
2. Set milestones for big goals. It’s OK to have big goals, such as owning a home, starting a business or retiring early. But they won’t happen overnight. Working with a financial professional will help you understand what it takes to reach your goals and create milestones on your path to success.
3. Be specific. If your goal is to retire early, a more specific goal would be to retire at age 50 with $1 million in savings. The clearer the goal, the better we can plan to reach it.

Whether you have a clear goal or need guidance to set and achieve realistic and attainable goals, I’m here to help. I’d love to meet and learn more about you.

* Securities and advisory services offered through MWA Financial Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen of America. Member: FINRA, SIPC.