Stretch your financial goals

Money is a constant consideration, worry, frustration, or boon to most adults. In fact, money tends to make the world go round. Many of our daily actions are dictated in some way by money. This is why it is so important to get a handle on your finances, and set financial goals, as well as stretch them so that they actually challenge you financially.

Go further than you think you are capable.If you think you can comfortably save $200 a month, stretch your financial goals by setting your goal at $300. You will have to be creative with your budgeting, meal planning, and entertainment, but if you rise to the challenge, you will be able to achieve your goal. So, start with what you think is realistic and then stretch yourself, no matter what the goal is. Then do whatever it takes to make it happen. You might find yourself holding a yard sale, donating plasma, or packing home lunches to make it happen, but that is the point of a goal, to help you stretch.

Work through the setbacks- Keep in mind they are not permanent. Too many people set financial goals, and then as soon as they hit a bump in the road, a bad month, a small paycheck, an illness, injury, or unexpected car repair, all of their goals go out the window, the credit cards come out, and the budget is shot to pieces. The fact is, life happens, setbacks happen, road bumps happen. You can work through your setbacks and continue to grow, or you can let them get the better of you. If you want to stretch financially, you have to keep moving forward.

Learn to take the good from the bad. There are lessons to be learned everywhere. This means that if you run low on funds, you can look at it as a way to learn to do more with less. Basically, you have to recognize that there are going to be bad things and that if you learn the good there is, you will constantly grow, and your financial goals will stretch as you do so.

Grow, let your financial goals grow. Do not be your worst enemy. You are the one who is standing in the way of your financial goals growing. If you want your financial goals to grow, then get out of the way, and stop making excuses, being afraid of the risks, etc.

No one can force you to want more for yourself, to put the work in, and to create financial goals that really stretch you, but if you never push for something beyond what you think you can do, you will never achieve what you really want. Financial independence and success requires some stretching. It does not happen by chance. You won't just get lucky and become good at saving, living frugally, earning money, etc. it takes work, practice, and plans. Take risks, stretch yourself, and enjoy the benefits that come when you do.