Financial Goals for 2009 (part 6)

We are looking at financial goals for the New Year. MSN Money lists 6 financial milestones to reach before age 30. If you are already over 30, these milestones are still worth looking into, but the real question is whether or not these milestones are good goals. We will be looking at one milestone each day, here is the fifth milestone.

1. Scale back the credit cards

2. Own a home — or have a plan

3. Have skills

4. Give money away

“Know thyself”

“People get so caught up that their goal becomes having another zero before they go. Once we have a roof over our head and food on the table, none of that other stuff is really going to bring that much pleasure,” Hanson says. “Money is not the most important thing. You’ll never have any fun with it if it is.”

This milestone is really important as you try to establish ‘who you want to be when you grow up’. Determine your priorities and make sure that faith, family and friends are part of the list. Having fun is important, but focusing solely on the accumulation of money will not bring true happiness.

Several years ago, I taught a class at my church called How Much Is Enough by Larry Burkett. The focus of the material was understanding there is a limit to how much money is required to meet your needs. Trying to accumulate more than that, just to find happiness, is almost always a waste of time. If your happiness is dependent on your savings account, you are often going to be disappointed.

• Biblical Financial Principles
• Financial Goals for 2009 (part 1)
• Financial Goals for 2009 (part 2)
• What are you doing with your money
• Five For Friday! - January 9, 2009

• The Key To Living Frugally
• Money Saving Monday Roundup #2
• My Biggest Money-Saving Tip About Moving...And More.
• Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways
• October 2009: Financial Progress Update