10
Becoming Money $mart
Check
Your
Understanding
How are fi nancial goals different from other goals you may have?
Dollars
and $ense
SMART Goals
Financial planning is an important
process that will guide you in the
future. You should begin by creating a
fi nancial plan now. The plan will help
you make wise decisions for saving
and spending money as you move
through your working years.
Have you ever heard of SMART
goals? SMART is an acronym for:
❑ Specifi c
❑ Measurable
❑ Attainable
❑ Relevant
❑ Timely
Many organizations use SMART
goals to help employees focus on
performing work tasks. Use this
SMART chart as you set reasonable
short- and long-term goals for your
fi nancial plan.
S
• Are my short- and long-term goals
specific?
• Exactly what do I want to achieve?
M
• Are my goals measureable?
• How will I know when a goal is
achieved?
A
• Are my goals attainable?
• Am I setting goals that can be
achieved?
T
• Are my goals timely?
• Are the dates for achieving my goals
appropriate?
R
• Are my goals relevant to meeting my
financial needs?
• Will meeting the goals help me
become financially secure?