Goal-Setting Worksheet

Financial goals become more achievable when they're clearly defined and broken into manageable steps. This guided worksheet helps you take a financial goal from idea to action with a clear, practical plan.

Built to expand on the goal-setting framework in Financial Basics for First-Time Adults, the worksheet guides you through defining your goal, thinking about why it matters, identifying the steps and milestones that can help you get there, preparing for potential challenges, and reviewing your progress along the way.

What it includes:

• A guided process that takes you from defining your goal through reviewing your progress
• A My Financial Goal page to clarify your goal, why it matters, your target amount when applicable, and your target date
• A My Action Plan page to identify your first step, milestones, and when you'll get started
• A Preparing for Success page to think through potential challenges and what can help you stay on track
• A My Progress page to reflect on what's working, decide what comes next, and adjust your plan as needed
• A reusable format for working through future financial goals
• A fillable PDF you can complete on your device or print and write on by hand

Putting a goal into words and thinking through the steps can help turn a general idea into a more concrete plan. This worksheet gives you a clear structure for doing that without telling you what your goal should be.

Designed to complement Financial Basics for First-Time Adults, but works just as well on its own. Like the guide, it keeps things simple: understand what you're working toward, and decide for yourself how to get there.