Goal-Based Planning Articles

Why So Many People Don’t Have a Written Financial Plan—and How to Make One That Actually Gets Used

A surprising number of adults still manage money without a written plan. One recent retirement-focused survey found about 47% of Americans don’t have a written financial plan, and confidence about reaching financial goals has fallen compared with a few years ago. That...
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9 Steps to Build Your Own DIY Financial Plan

A financial plan isn’t only for people with a lot of money, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. The point is to create a clear “roadmap” for what you want your money to do—so when big decisions show up (job changes, debt paydown, retirement choices, inheritances),...
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Investing Goals: How to Set Them, Prioritize Them, and Build a Plan You’ll Actually Follow

Investing works best when it’s connected to something real—a goal with a timeline. “Grow my money” is a hope. A goal is clearer: “Save $100,000 for a home down payment in 10 years,” or “Build a 6-month emergency fund,” or “Fund retirement in 25 years.” When you know...
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Goals-Based Investing: Build a Plan Around What Your Money Is For

Most people don’t think of their wealth as one big pile of money. Mentally, we separate it into “accounts” with different purposes—cash for emergencies, money for lifestyle, savings for future security, and assets meant to benefit family or causes. The challenge is...
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