How to set a SMART savings goal

Setting a savings goal is easy. The hard part is sticking to the savings plan. It’s so tempting to spend cash on fancy threads, trendy homewares and the latest phone that has a slightly larger screen than the one released three months ago.

If you haven’t set a money goal before (or you always seem to spend what you put away) there is a strategy to help you cross that savings finish line. Introducing the 5-step SMART strategy – a simple way to set and achieve your goals.

Get SMART

You don’t need to be Maxwell Smart to adopt this strategy; you simply need to set goals that are:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-framed

Now, let’s take a closer look at how each of these SMART factors works (thanks, 99!).

1. Set specific goals

Goals like, “I want to travel the world” are vague and hard to follow. The more specific your goal is, the easiest it is to stay on track.

Instead, aim for a very clear and specific goal such as, “I need to save $5,000 for a holiday in Europe by July”.

2. Make your goals measurable

This lets you track your own progress. Rather than setting a goal like, “I want to spend less on food”, set a dollar value to your goal.

By setting an actual value, such as, “I want to cut my spending by $50 each week”, you’re more likely to put this money away.

3. Stick with what’s achievable

We’d all like to be millionaires by next year – but for most of us, it’s not really a reality. However, we all have the potential to achieve small, realist goals such as, “I want to save $100 from each pay packet”.

Take a look at your budget to know what you can realistically save on a regular basis. Then make those savings grow by setting up an automatic transfer of funds out of your everyday account and into a separate savings account.

4. Keep it real and relevant

If your goal doesn’t inspire you, you’re unlikely to stick with it. If you love the idea of travelling overseas or buying a car, make this your savings goal.

5. Timeline your goal

Setting an end date for your goal gives you a timeframe to work towards. It also makes it easier to see how much you need to save on a regular basis and lets you monitor your progress towards your goal from month to month. To calculate just how much you can score with our SaveME account, check out our savings calculator.

Following the SMART strategy helps you set and achieve your money goals. Remember to keep your goals Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely, and you’ll be on that plane to Europe before you know it.