03 Apr Exploring Personal Goals That Are Important To You
Learn how to define your personal goals so you can create a plan to achieve them …
Most of us have personal goals that we want to accomplish, however knowing where to begin or the right questions to ask isn’t always easy. Have you ever caught yourself staring out the window dreaming of what you could be doing with your life? Well, trust us when we say you’re not alone!
At Conrad Carlile, we live by strategic planning and goal setting. We’ve witnessed the success of settings goals that provide our clients with a sense of direction, focus, motivation, security and even self-confidence. If you are like most people and haven’t put much thought into it, that’s okay too! Below we have explored some common goals and questions that you need to ask yourself to take control. No matter the size, big or small, we can help turn your goals into a reality.
Personal Goal 1: To pursue a passion
Does your new hobby or interest take away from your income stream? Does it require some form of financial commitment or a hefty price tag? If you’re planning to pursue your passion that involves any of these requirements, you’ll have to think about the following questions:
- How much will it cost?
- Do I need to plan a savings account?
- Do I have other expenses or debts to pay off first?
Personal Goal 2: Saving for something big
Whether it is a car, holiday, wedding, new business etc. Do you have a realistic timeline to achieve this? Ask yourself the following questions:
- How much do I need to save?
- Do I have a budget?
- Do I have other expenses or debts to pay off first?
Personal Goal 3: Simplify my financial life
Have you simplified your income stream to keep track of your assets as well as make it easier to grow your net worth? Ask yourself the following:
- Are my bills paid on time?
- Do I have a direct debit account set up?
- Should I consider consolidating my debts?
Personal Goal 4: Buy an investment property
Planning is essential. It doesn’t matter if you are a first-time landlord or have been in the market for a while, you should still ask yourself the following questions:
- How much can I borrow and costs?
- What are the risks?
- Are there other investment strategies best suited for me?
Personal Goal 5: Buying a house
Buying a house is a big commitment, so preparing yourself for all the associated costs are important. Here’s what you need to start thinking about:
- What are the upfront and ongoing costs?
- Am I entitled to any government grants?
- How much can I borrow?
Personal Goal 6: Pay off all my debt
It’s important to think about how and when your repayments can be made as this can significantly reduce your interest costs. Questions you should start asking yourself include:
- How much do I need to pay off?
- How much interest am I paying?
- Should I consolidate my debts?
Personal Goal 7: Securing my retirement
Once you are retired, you’ll want to ensure that you have enough money to last your desired lifestyle. Questions you should be asking include:
- Will I have enough super?
- When will I like to retire?
- Am I eligible for the age pension?
- Will I ease into retirement or stop working completely?
Personal Goal 8: Start accessing super
Did you know that age and circumstance can grant you access to your super earlier than the required retirement age? Should you need to, here are a few problems you need to consider:
- Will I have enough money to live comfortably later?
- Where will my income stream come from?
- What are my living options?
Personal Goal 9: Looking after my children
Retirement can extend over many years, should you want to look after your children, here are a few things to consider:
- What are my living options with my children in mind?
- What will it cost me?
- Where will I receive cash flow from?
- Do I have enough money saved to fulfil what I love doing?
Personal Goal 10: A future with my partner
Shared commitment and joint bank accounts aren’t enough when planning a future with your partner. It’s essential that you both sit down and discuss your mutual and independent goals to ensure you both are happy. Questions you both need to think about include:
- What are our goals?
- How do we want to live?
- Do we have a budget?
- Are our finances in order including paperwork?
Helping individuals and families plan their goal strategies is part of what we do. It’s amazing to see what a short discussion can do to change our client’s attitude, motivation and even self-confidence! So, if you’d like to gain some direction back in your life, we highly recommend that you begin planning your goals today! The sooner you begin, the closer you are to reaching success.
At Conrad Carlile, we are the goal orientated specialists who can help you prioritise your financial situation to meet your goals. If you are open to discussing any of the above options, feel free to call one of our friendly team members today. If you’re short for time, fill out an online form, and we’ll get back to you at a time that suits you.