How to achieve your financial goals

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1. Personal Development

2. Health and Fitness

3. Family and Friends

4. Hobbies and Passions

5. Financial

6. Career

7. Adventure

8. Travel

9. Lifestyle

10. Leaving a Legacy / Giving Back

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Good Quotes

WARREN BUFFET - “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” Idea: Prioritize saving and investing before discretionary spending to build wealth steadily. Discipline in budgeting is foundational to financial success.

ROBERT KIYOSAKI - “Financial freedom is available to those who learn about it and work for it.” Idea: Continuous learning and proactive effort are essential for achieving financial independence. Educate yourself on money management and take consistent action.

TONY ROBBINS - “The secret to wealth is simple: Find a way to do more for others than anyone else does.” Idea: Creating value for others through service or innovation is a powerful path to financial success. Focus on solving problems and delivering exceptional results.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN - “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Idea: Invest in your education and skills to make informed financial decisions. Knowledge compounds over time, leading to better outcomes.

DAVE RAMSEY - “A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.” Idea: Strategic planning through budgeting gives you control over your finances, ensuring your money aligns with your goals.

OPRAH WINFREY - “The reason I’ve been able to be so financially successful is my focus has never, ever for one minute been money.” Idea: Pursue your passion and purpose, and financial success will often follow. Align your goals with what truly drives you for sustainable achievement.

Just back . . .

-Time in Switzerland first, spending a night in Montreux and 3 nights in Grindelwald at the base of the Swiss alps.

- Walked a cliff walk on the Grindelwald First mountain, a small narrow walking platform attached to a cliff perched high up the mountain. A scary experience for me even though I've skydived and parasailed before!

- Exploring the ports and majestic castles in Germany from the beauty of an elegant river cruise on the Scenic Pearl

- 3 nights in what is one of my favourite cities in the world . . . Amsterdam. Amsterdam combines the old world charm with amazing architecture surrounded by miles of beautiful canals, boats and thousands of every day people riding their bicycles for all aspects of their lives. One Uber driver told us if he had to choose between a bicycle and a wife, he would choose his bicycle (LOL).

- Visiting Keukenhof gardens, considered to be host to the worlds greatest spring gardens with literally millions of gorgeous tulips and other flowers.

We consider travel and this type of exploration to be one the great benefits of having lived a goal inspired life and a perfect part of this retirement phase of our life.

Put the hard work into achieving your goals and set yourself up your own perfect retirement.

Enjoying a stroll of one of the numerous canal streets in old Amsterdam.

Why Most People Fail to Meet Financial Goals

Lack of Financial Knowledge: Without understanding personal finance basics, people make uninformed decisions, like overspending or delaying investing.

No Clear Plan or Budget: Failing to set specific goals or track spending leads to financial drift, where money slips through the cracks.

Poor Money Management Tools: Not using tools like budgeting apps or spreadsheets makes it hard to stay organized and accountable.

Ignoring Net Worth: Without tracking assets and liabilities, it’s easy to overestimate financial health and miss growth opportunities. Tracking your net worth holds you accountable and can get you excited as you track its growth, encouraging further positive financial habits.

Not Investing Regularly: Failing to invest consistently, even small amounts, misses out on compound growth over time. Compound growth is the real secret to developing wealth.

Stagnant Income: Not seeking ways to increase earnings limits the funds available for saving and investing. The more value you provide to your company, the more they will be willing to pay you.

No Retirement Plan: Delaying retirement planning reduces the time for savings to grow, risking financial insecurity later in life.

These pitfalls are avoidable with the right mindset and tools. Below, I outline practical steps to achieve the top 10 financial goals (Goals 41–50) to keep you on track for success.

Top 10 Financial Goals and How to Achieve Them

Mastering the basics of personal finance and building disciplined habits are the foundation of wealth.

* Read Key Books: Start with The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton or Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki for accessible insights into saving, investing, and debt management.

* Take Free Courses: Enroll in online courses like Coursera’s Personal & Family Financial Planning or Khan Academy’s Personal Finance to learn budgeting, taxes, and investing.

* Follow Trusted Sources: Subscribe to financial blogs like MoneySense or podcasts for practical tips tailored to your interests.

* Practice Discipline: Set up automatic savings transfers to prioritize saving over spending, reinforcing good habits.

GOAL 42: LEARN A FINANCIAL TOOL TO MANAGE YOUR MONEY

Using the right tools keeps your finances organized and goals on track.

* Choose a Budgeting App: Try YNAB (You Need A Budget) or Mint to track income, expenses, and savings goals in real-time.

* Use Spreadsheets: Create a custom Google Sheets budget template to categorize spending and monitor cash flow, with tutorials available on YouTube.

* Leverage Banking Tools: Use your banks online banking apps that allow you to analyze spending patterns and set savings targets.

* Review Regularly: Schedule monthly check-ins to update your tool and adjust for new expenses or income changes.

GOAL 43: DEVELOP A BUDGET

A budget is your financial roadmap, ensuring every dollar has a purpose.

* Use the 50/30/20 Rule: Allocate 50% of income to needs (e.g., mortgage or rent, utilities), 30% to wants, and 20% to savings/debt repayment.

* Track Expenses: Record all spending for 30 days using an app like Goodbudget to identify overspending areas.

* Set SMART Goals: Make budget goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (e.g., save $5,000 for an emergency fund in 12 months).

* Adjust Seasonally: Update your budget for seasonal expenses (e.g., holidays, property taxes) to avoid surprises.

GOAL 44: DEVELOP A GOOD CREDIT RATING

A strong credit score saves money on loans and opens financial opportunities.

* Pay Bills on Time: Set up automatic payments for credit cards and utilities to avoid late payments, which hurt your score.

* Keep Credit Utilization Low: Use less than 30% of your credit limit (e.g., $3,000 on a $10,000 limit) to show responsible credit use.

* Check Your Score: Use free services like Borrowell or Credit Karma to monitor your Equifax or TransUnion score.

* Fix Errors: Dispute inaccuracies on your credit report (e.g., incorrect late payments).

GOAL 45: TRACK AND DEVELOP YOUR NET WORTH

Knowing your net worth (assets minus liabilities) tracks your financial progress.

* Create a Net Worth Statement: List assets (e.g., savings, home, investments) and liabilities (e.g., mortgage, loans) in a spreadsheet or app like Wealthsimple.

* Update Quarterly: Recalculate net worth every three months to account for changes like debt repayment or investment growth.

* Boost Assets: Increase savings or invest in ETFs (e.g., Invesco QQQ ) to grow the asset side of your net worth.

* Reduce Liabilities: Pay down high-interest debt (e.g., credit cards at 19.99%) first to shrink liabilities faster.

GOAL 46: INVEST AT LEAST 10% OF YOUR INCOME

Consistent investing harnesses compound growth for long-term wealth.

* Set Up Auto-Investments: Arrange automatic transfers to a robo-advisor like Questwealth or Wealthsimple to invest 10% of each paycheck.

* Choose Low-Cost ETFs: Invest in diversified index funds for low fees and broad exposure.

* Use Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Contribute to a TFSA or RRSP to grow investments tax-free or tax-deferred, maximizing returns. (these are Canadian programs)

* Stay Disciplined: Avoid market timing; invest regularly regardless of market conditions to benefit from dollar-cost averaging.

GOAL 47: FIND A FINANCIAL ADVISER / MENTOR

A trusted adviser or mentor provides personalized guidance to avoid costly mistakes.

* Seek a Fee-Only Planner: Hire a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) who charges hourly or flat fees (e.g., through MoneySense’s directory) to avoid conflicts of interest.

* Join Financial Communities: Participate in forums like or local meetups to learn from experienced peers.

* Ask Questions: Interview advisers about their credentials, approach, and fees to ensure alignment with your goals.

* Leverage Workplace Resources: Check if your employer offers financial planning services through benefits programs.

GOAL 48: OWN INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE

Real estate can build wealth through appreciation and rental income, despite high entry costs.

* Start Small: Consider a condo or duplex in affordable markets.

* Research Financing: Secure a pre-approved mortgage with a low rate

* Learn Landlord Rules: Study Residential Tenancies Act via the Landlord and Tenant Board website to understand your responsibilities.

* Partner Up: Pool resources with a trusted partner to share down payment and management duties, reducing financial strain.

GOAL 49: INCREASE YOUR INCOME

Earning more accelerates savings and investment, boosting financial goals.

* Upskill for Promotions: Take courses on platforms like LinkedIn Learning to gain skills for higher-paying roles.

* Start a Side Hustle: Freelance in your expertise (e.g., graphic design on Upwork) or drive for Uber for extra income.

* Negotiate Raises: Research salary benchmarks on Glassdoor and present achievements to your employer to justify a raise.

* Explore Passive Income: Create digital products (e.g., eBooks, online courses) for recurring revenue with minimal upkeep.

GOAL 50: PLAN YOUR RETIREMENT

Early retirement planning ensures financial security in your later years.

* Estimate Needs: Use a retirement calculator (e.g., Wealthsimple’s) to project expenses, factoring in government Pension Plans or Old Age Security, and inflation (assume 2% annually).

* Maximize RRSP/TFSA: Contribute to RRSPs for tax deductions (e.g., $30,000 at 41.16% marginal rate saves $12,348) and TFSAs for tax-free withdrawals. (these are Canadian programs)

* Diversify Investments: Build a balanced portfolio with stocks, bonds, and REITs for income and growth.

Top 10 things people waste their money on

* Excessive Dining Out and Takeout Frequent restaurant meals and delivery services (e.g., $50 weekly on takeout) add up quickly. Cooking at home saves thousands annually, which can be invested for compound growth.

* Unused Subscriptions and Memberships Streaming services, gym memberships, or apps (e.g., $10-$30/month each) often go unused. Canceling non-essential subscriptions frees up funds for savings or investments like index funds.

* Impulse Purchases Buying trendy gadgets, clothes, or accessories on a whim (e.g., $100 monthly) drains budgets. Practicing mindful spending redirects money to wealth-building assets.

* Luxury Coffee and Daily Small Splurges Daily $5 lattes or snacks cost over $1,800 yearly. Brewing coffee at home or cutting small indulgences boosts savings for retirement accounts or emergency funds.

* Brand-Name Obsession Paying premiums for designer clothes, shoes, or accessories (e.g., $200 vs. $50 for similar quality) wastes money. Choosing value-driven alternatives funds long-term goals.

* Overpriced Car Payments Financing luxury or new cars with high monthly payments (e.g., $600/month) ties up income. Opting for reliable used cars frees cash for investments like real estate or stocks.

* Credit Card Interest Carrying high-interest credit card balances (e.g., 20% APR on $5,000 debt) costs hundreds yearly. Paying off debt and avoiding interest payments preserves money for wealth-building.

* Gambling and Lottery Tickets Spending on lotteries or gambling (e.g., $20/week) offers poor returns. Redirecting even small amounts to a diversified investment portfolio yields better long-term results.

* Unnecessary Upgrades Constantly upgrading phones, laptops, or tech (e.g., $1,000 yearly) when current devices work fine is wasteful. Delaying upgrades channels funds into savings or passive income streams.

* Paying for Convenience Overpaying for services like premium delivery, meal kits, or outsourcing tasks (e.g., $50/month) adds up. Doing tasks yourself or choosing budget options builds a stronger financial foundation.

Why It Matters: Redirecting money from these areas to savings or investments leverages compound interest. For example, saving $200 monthly from cutting dining out and subscriptions, invested at a 7% annual return, could grow to over $100,000 in 20 years. This approach aligns with the discipline and strategic planning emphasized in the quotes provided earlier, fostering a wealth-building mindset.

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Brian Klodt

Stay Goal-Driven

https://www.100goalsclub.com brian@100goalsclub.com

P.S. Write me with one of your recent goal victories and let me know how setting a goal helped you achieve it.