There's an interesting website out in cyberspace devoted to helping people realize their dreams and goals: 43things.com. Here you'll find all sorts of things people want to accomplish, from riding in a hot-air balloon to learning to play the cello or finding time to read at least one book each month.
One nifty feature of the site is that it offers a glimpse into our collective psyche. Here are some of the most popular goals, among all participants:
- lose weight
- stop procrastinating
- fall in love
- write a book
- be happy
- get a tattoo
- drink more water
- go on a road trip with no predetermined destination
- get married
- travel the world
Sounds good, no? I suspect that you have some of these same goals for yourself. I sure do. But there seems to be something missing, don'tcha think? Like ... money? Are we all so financially secure that we have no major fiscal goals? Are we really more intent on getting a tattoo than retiring well?
Truth be told, there are many participants with financial goals -- and here they are:
- save money
- get out of debt
- become financially independent
- win the lottery
- pay off my student loans
- make money
- become a millionaire
- stick to a budget
- retire early
- invest
It's a shame more people aren't thinking about money -- because many of us aren't in great shape financially. Some 53% have less than $25,000 socked away for retirement. Fortunately, it's not too late to improve your situation considerably. A simple index fund can plunk you into companies such as ExxonMobil, Boeing, and Microsoft instantly, and over decades can build your wealth considerably.
We can help, too. Let us help you make better insurance decisions, maximize an IRA, pay off credit card debt, build a vital emergency fund, minimize your taxes, and more. Also helpful is our Rule Your Retirement newsletter, which helps you track your path to a secure future.