Setting Financial Goals

Read the following paragraph and select the best option (A-D).

Personal Financial Planning is a process of defining goals, developing a plan to achieve the goals, and putting the plan into action. Goals should be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound); plans should be rigid; and putting the plan into action requires restraint and responsibility.

• Replace "achieve" with "prioritize"

• Replace "rigid" with "flexible"

• Replace "measurable" with "mistake-free"

• Replace "restraint" with "restrictions"

Preston saved his money for three years so that he could buy a car on his 16^th birthday. His dad told him, "If you buy the car, then I'll pay the insurance." However, Preston's dad lost his job a month before Preston's birthday, and told him that he couldn't pay for insurance until he got another job. Preston was really mad at his father because he had saved up for three years and now couldn't buy a car.

What should you tell Preston about financial planning to help him understand his father's position?

• "You should realize that your goal was unrealistic."

• "You should realize that your plan was too ambitious."

• "You should realize that your plan is not your father's plan."

• "You should realize that your wants are secondary to your dad's needs right now."

Ceretta wanted to buy a new video camera, so she developed her own financial planning process to achieve that goal. She showed it to you, to see if you would recommend any changes. You told her that the steps were good, but that you would rearrange the order.

How would you recommend she order her steps?

1. Create a Plan

2. Analyze Information

3. Set Goals

4. Monitor and/or Modify the Plan

5. Implement the Plan

• 1,3,2,4,5

• 2,3,1,5,4

• 3,2,1,5,4

• 3,1,2,4,5

Rondell made a goal to buy the CD collections of his five favorite musical artists. He wrote his goal on paper, and constructed a plan to reach his goal.

Of the following steps in his goal and financial plan, which one would you recommend he change in order to best stay on track?

• "I will use all of my earnings from my job until I reach my goal."

• "I will buy one CD per artist at a time."

• "I will need $80 for each collection."

• "I want to reach my goal in eight weeks."

A blueprint for handling all aspects of your money, such as spending, saving, investing, and establishing credit, is called _____________.

• a budget

• personal financial planning

• an allowance

• a credit card

Explain the difference between "needs" and "wants" in financial planning.

• "Needs" are non-essentials like music CDs, while "wants" are essentials like food, shelter, and clothing.

• There is no difference between "needs" and "wants."

• "Needs" are essentials like food, shelter, and clothing, while "wants" are non-essentials such as movies and eating out.

• "Needs" are things you want, while "wants" are things your parents think you should save up for.

What does the acronym "SMART" stand for in setting financial goals?

• Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound

• Simple, Maintainable, Attainable, Responsible, and Timely

• Smart, Manageable, Attractive, Relevant, and Time-bound

• Single, Money, Approach, Restraint, Thorough

Define "cash flow."

• The speed with which an employer makes an automatic deposit

• The same thing as interest earned, as in a savings account

• The measure of the money you receive and the money you spend

• A difference between the amount of money you are being paid and the amount you save

What is the definition of the word "goal"?

• To postpone satisfaction until a later time

• To desire greatly; wish for

• Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals

• An aim or purpose; an end to which effort is directed

What is the definition of the word "wants"?

• To postpone satisfaction until a later time

• To desire greatly; wish for

• Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals

• A principle, standard, or quality considered worthwhile or desirable