Personal Finance, Essay Example

Abstract

One’s financial plan is an essential component for any prospective notions of personal wealth and readiness for retirement.  In a distinct set of areas, these personal goals in my plan of action are realized for financial independence.  In the matters of my personal budget, investments, and way of life these factors come together to create a harmonious financial plan for realizing my financial goals.  It is extremely important to examine one’s budget to gauge one’s financial abilities and leverage.  This will dictate the amount of money for investments, in accordance with one’s financial goals.  Finally, cutting down expenses and making other decisions about one’s way of life can provide additional financial relief.  These steps are important in being able to realize personal wealth and readiness for retirement. There are a number of things to consider from a personal standpoint in regards to one’s finances.  Planning for the future and for my retirement is something that requires a plan, along with establishing a plan to attain wealth.  There are a number of things that need to be in consideration in order to obtain wealth and plan for the future.

Budget

Before personally identifying numbers from which to work, my personal budget needs to be take in consideration.  One must work within his or her means, and this is of course true in my case as well.  My financial plan must take into consideration where I am right now in regards to my financial goals and in these dynamics.

The first step is identifying my expenses.  This is a process that will allow myself to examine whether my expenses are reasonable.  Furthermore, I will be better able to reduce my expenses after examining them in detail.

Cutting down on my expenses will do two things immediately.  Firstly, the immediate impact to my budget and financial comfort will be improved.  I will be better able to control how much money is spent in various areas, which will put me at better ease financially.  Secondly, there are important benefits in the long term for such efforts.  By cutting down on unnecessary expenses, I will be able to realize this lost money and invest it in my future, or at least a place that will benefit me financially.

Retirement Account

Once the expenses are identified in my budget, my retirement account should take on a high priority.  Even if I am unable to make the maximum allowed contributions to my retirement account, it is important that I establish a place for my retirement account in my budget.  If I keep these consistent payments going into my retirement account, I will put myself in a better financial stance for the future.

With regard to my budget, examining my income and expenses will allow me to decide how much I can afford to contribute to my retirement account.  This process will help me identify the level of financial flexibility I have.  Obviously, I will have to take other investments into account as well, in addition to my retirement account.

After identifying the constraints of my budget, I should make a plan in accordance with my retirement.  By identifying an amount to target for my retirement, I will be able to project interest for a certain number of years, in order to gauge how much I will need to contribute on a monthly basis.  Of course such calculations will not be exact, but by doing this I will be able to adjust my calculations based on differences in my contributions, or interest levels in my investments.

Investments

Another valuable aspect of my finances are other types of investments.  Investments are a great way to establish personal financial growth.  Identifying investments, such as CDs, stocks, and other types of investments will allow be to better realize personal wealth and growth in my financial goals.

Devoting part of my budget to investments is another important part of my financial plan.  I have identified a number of investment options that will work with the limitations and opportunities in my budget.  Separating short-term from long-term investments, I have allocated an amount to realize investments as part of my overall financial plan.  For me my budget, encompassing all aspects of future financial growth is important, from short, long, and retirement-based investment plans.  In my every person should allocate funds to each, regardless of the budgetary demands of one’s finances.

The Way of Life

Managing one’s finances is more of a way of life than anything, at least according to my perspective.  When all of these factors are considered, it is important to stay focused on one’s financial goals.  Even for someone who does not have many financial resources, it is important to have a plan of action and to stay committed on executing that financial plan to realize these financial goals.

Cutting down on expenses is a matter that is very important to one’s financial goals.  To a certain extent this becomes a way of life.  For instance, some households easily spend a hundred dollars a month on unnecessary groceries, such as expensive snacks and drinks.  However, if lower-cost replacements could be utilized, the savings and the potential investment return on such savings would be impressive.

Thus one should approach one’s budget with a positive approach.  One can easily cut down on expenses in many different ways, from eating out and buying cheaper groceries, to limiting one’s entertainment budget.  If these expenses can be cut on a regular basis, budgets would be much more easy to handle, and much more conducive to realizing the financial goals of many.

In identifying my plan of action, this is an approach that I am taking.  Even if I don’t have as much money to allocate to investments and a retirement account, it does not mean that I can’t cut spending.  Then, once I cut my spending, I can potentially see valuable returns in investments over time.  These potential returns will be able to go a long way to my financial goals, retirement-related goals, and my plan for obtaining personal wealth and financial freedom in both the short-term and long-term.

One important aspect that cannot be overstated is commitment.  In my opinion, if one is committed to his or her finances, he or she will be able to cut spending and obtain financial freedom.  Similar to my situation, even if one doesn’t fell as if though many financial assets can be allocated to investments, respectable returns can be seen on money saved through other means.  One doesn’t always have to have a large income to be financially successful.  It can easily be obtained with smart spending and planning as well.

Conclusion

My plan for realizing my financial goals starts with my budget.  Examining one’s budget is arguably the first crucial step for obtaining a plan of action in the face of financial goals.  By identifying both the income and expenses of one’s budget, one is able to gain awareness of the flexibility or lack thereof in one’s finances.

Allocating amounts of money to investments is a primary course of action in my financial goals.  In order to realize a level of personal wealth and readiness for retirement, investments must be a part of my financial plan of action.  This remains an important part of my budgetary considerations for realizing my financial goals.

In my plan for financial success from the short to long term, I have realized that much of this revolves around one’s commitment.  Even if one is unable to allocate even the smallest amount to an investment account, one could do so if he or she cuts down on unnecessary expenses.  With these goals in mind, anyone can realize financial independence and wealth with these basic steps.