You Can Live for Now and Save for the Future

​Should you live for today or save for the future? That’s the question many face as they develop their financial plans. The conservative and prudent advice is to live on a modest budget today so you have plenty of assets in reserve for future needs, especially after you retire. Commonly accepted wisdom seems to be that you should pinch pennies today in order to enjoy yourself down the road.
 
However, there’s also the very understandable desire to live for today. There are likely things you want to do in life that would be best enjoyed while you’re young, not in retirement. Also, given the unpredictability of life, there’s no guarantee that you will be able to tick items off your bucket list when you’re older.

How do you enjoy life to its fullest potential while also preparing for the future? The good news is that with discipline, focus and planning, you don’t have to choose between the two. You can save for retirement and enjoy life today. Below is a simple three-step process to help you plan for today’s big goals and tomorrow’s:
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Estimate the price tag.
Whether your goal is to retire in 20 years or take an exotic vacation next summer, the first step is always to analyze your dream and estimate a price tag. You can’t develop a plan until you know exactly what your target should be.
 
Sit down and estimate all the costs, and then develop a total budget. For a long-term goal like retirement, it might be difficult to estimate your expenses with precision. However, even a ballpark estimate is better than no estimate at all.

Break the price tag into smaller, manageable goals.
With an approximate price tag in mind, you can then break the cost down into more manageable short-term goals. For example, your goal of a vacation next year can be divided into smaller monthly savings targets. Your retirement savings goal or your child’s college tuition can be divided into annual or even monthly savings hurdles.
 
It’s often difficult to mentally track progress toward a big, long-term goal. However, it’s not as challenging to measure your progress against smaller, more incremental targets. By breaking down your goal into more manageable pieces, you can stay on track and stay focused.

Implement a plan and stick with it.
Of course, all the planning in the world won’t guarantee success unless you follow through. Develop a plan to hit your short-term savings targets so you stay on track to meet your long-term goal.
 
Look at your spending to identify areas to cut back. Also, consider making your savings automatic. You could set up automatic contributions or transfers directly from your paycheck or bank account. By automating your savings, you may eliminate the temptation to use that money for other purposes.
 
The key to achieving any financial goal, whether it’s long-term or short-term, is to develop a plan and implement it. This three-step process is basic and simple, but it’s also effective enough to help you achieve any item on your bucket list.

Ready to develop your plan? Let’s talk about it. Contact us today at Carstens Financial Group. We can help you analyze your goals and create a strategy. Let’s connect soon and start the conversation.

 
Licensed Insurance Professional. This information is designed to provide a general overview with regard to the subject matter covered and is not state specific. The authors, publisher and host are not providing legal, accounting or specific advice for your situation. By providing your information, you give consent to be contacted about the possible sale of an insurance or annuity product. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting insurance professional. The statements and opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change at any time. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, presenting insurance professional makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice.
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