• Don’t set so many goals that it’s difficult to make any progress.
  • Do prioritize your goals and track your success.
  • Don’t be vague in the wording of your goals.
  • Do be specific about what you want to achieve.
  • Don’t leave your timelines for your goals open-ended.
  • Do motivate yourself with (reasonable) deadlines for goals and milestones.
  • Don’t set a huge goal if you’re just starting to up your money management game.
  • Do remember that small steps will get you there, and mini-successes will keep you motivated.
  • Don’t try to do everything at once.
  • Do set one big goal per quarter (three-month time period).
  • Don’t think that you’re automatically supposed to know this stuff.
  • Do find accessible ways to develop your financial literacy (like using this workbook!).
  • Don’t feel like you have to achieve your goals all by yourself.
  • Do ask your friends what’s worked for them or, if you can, hire a financial advisor to help you get on the right track.
  • Don’t think that setting financial goals is a one-and-done sort of thing. 
  • Do create visuals and frequent reminders of your goals to help keep you motivated.