Arizona Tribune - Oportun: Types of Financial Goals for Couples

1. Short-term financial goals

Short-term financial goals are those aimed to be achieved within a few months to a couple of years. They help set couples up with a strong foundation to pursue other financial goals. Here are some common short-term goals:

• Create and stick to a budget: Budgeting helps couples track their spending, stay on top of their finances, cover necessary expenses, and find ways to reduce spending. Planning a budget together can create awareness of each other's financial needs and priorities and strengthen trust.

• Build an emergency fund: The sooner you start, the more prepared you'll be when an emergency hits. Everyone hopes an emergency doesn't happen, but being financially prepared can help couples focus on the issue rather than how to keep their finances afloat. Couples should generally aim to build a fund equal to three to six months of living expenses.

• Pay off credit cards: Paying down high-interest credit card debt can save on interest, relieve financial stress, and improve credit scores. If one person is the primary debt holder, the couple should discuss responsibilities and a plan for paying it off.

• Save for special events or vacations: Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, travel and other fun activities may require saving. Couples can plan ahead to save up for these, allowing them to enjoy themselves without extra debt.

2. Long-term financial goals

Long-term financial goals often cover big life events and require years to decades of diligent saving. Here are some common long-term financial goals:

• Buy a vehicle: Does a couple need one car or two? Couples should consider their transportation needs to determine how many and what kinds of vehicles they need. Factor insurance costs, maintenance and repairs into the budget for owning vehicles.

• Buy a house: Saving for a down payment and closing costs on a home requires years of saving. It also means being able to cover the ongoing expenses (and headaches) of mortgage, insurance, property taxes, maintenance, repairs and improvements. Owning a home can provide long-term stability to a couple, which is especially important if they have children.

• Retirement: It may feel far off, but couples must plan for retirement. They may contribute to retirement accounts, like 401(k)s and IRAs. They can also save in non-advantaged accounts to access funds early for early retirement. The sooner a couple starts, the more prepared they'll be when the time comes.

• Pay off large debts: Paying off student loans, medical bills, and other large debts requires planning and diligent payment. Debt consolidation and refinancing can help couples achieve this more quickly.

3. Family financial goals

Family financial goals are those focused on creating financial security and stability for the couple's loved ones, including potential children and grandchildren. Here are some family financial goals to keep in mind:

• Marriage: Marriage planning involves determining the budget and expenses involved in the wedding and honeymoon. But couples also must also determine if and how they'll merge and manage family finances.

• Childcare expenses: Kids are expensive.Couples who want children should plan for childcare costs, such as daycare and education. That includes everyday basics, too, such as food, clothing, and diapers.

• Children's college: Saving for college can take a long time. Couples can save more with tax-advantaged education savings accounts, like 529 plans. Meeting with an accountant to discuss relevant education tax credits and deductions can help identify more savings opportunities.

• Estate planning and life insurance: An estate plan lets a couple specify their wishes for asset distribution when they pass away. It also lets them lay out plans for medical and financial decisions if incapacitated, establish trusts, and overall protect their property. Life insurance can help the surviving family members manage family finances.

4. Health and protection financial goals

Health and protection financial goals entail preparing financially for potential medical issues, the passing away of loved ones, and similar events. Addressing these goals can relieve financial strain on the couple and their loved ones in stressful or mournful situations. Here are some health and protection goals to consider:

• Save for medical expenses: Saving for medical expenses can reduce uncertainty and strain. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) offer tax advantages, pushing the couple's healthcare savings further.

• Get health insurance: Health insurance helps pay for medical costs, which can be astronomical and ongoing. Dental and vision insurance are also good to consider, as traditional medical insurance doesn't cover these.

• Plan for retirement healthcare: Couples often have more healthcare needs in retirement. Couples may need additional insurance or savings to cover all their needs.

• Plan for long-term care: Long-term care may entail high ongoing costs while reducing one's ability to earn income. Long-term care insurance and additional savings can help cover these costs and relieve strain on the other partner.

The bottom line

Reaching financial success together requires not just planning, but discussion on what each partner wants to accomplish. Couples should sit down to work out their financial goals together. Regular review and communication can help couples stay on the same page and create a bright financial future for themselves and their loved ones.

This article is intended for educational and informative purposes only. It should not be relied upon as personal advice regarding legal or financial matters, and you should consult legal or financial professionals of your choosing.

CONTACT:

Sonakshi Murze
Manager
[email protected]

SOURCE: Oportun

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

T.Sanchez--AT