Plan your dreams: 11 guidelines for building a financial plan for the life you want

Much of what has been written about retirement planning deals with rates of return, inflation, savings thresholds, tax minimization, budgeting, asset allocation, and other pressing topics. However, most people care about their money and planning for retirement because they have a dream for their future.

It is important to remember that these four financial strategies only mean a means to an end – the life you want. Also, keeping the focus of your planning for those dreams can produce better results.

Here are 11 tips for using your dreams to help you create the financial plan for the life you want:

1. Focus on your dreams, not your savings ratio

When creating your retirement plan, it is meaningful and effective if you build your plan based on what you want to do and earn in the future rather than limited to savings.

In fact, don’t start with what you think you can save. Start with what your dreams are for the future. Those dreams can inspire you to do things that start differently now.

2. Create a future budget for the life you want

You’ve probably read it before, but figuring out how much you need (and want) to spend is one of the most important aspects of retirement planning.

Your future spending determines how much you need in your income and savings. The more detailed you are, the better. Unfortunately, the message is not getting through to everyone. (According to the Merrill Edge report, most Americans have no idea how much they should be saving.)

Budgeting for the life you want doesn’t have to be difficult. Have you tried the Boldn budget in the Boldlin Retirement Planner? This page Budget PlannerPlus It has 13 sections and 70 sub-sections to help you see your future.

• Set both “must use” (need) and “like to spend” (understanding) spending, which can help with money acquisition and money planning.
• Adjust your spending time to achieve the different dreams you have at different times of your life.
• Also, there are features for better tax management of your expenses.

3. Celebrate milestones, not birthdays

Birthdays come and go, but not all of them are the most important memories. Do you really want your retirement age defined by your age, or by the things you do – always?

Eric, a student in the BoldIn Facebook Group, writes that he is “Starting to feel the need to make goals to achieve goals to celebrate Milestones regardless of age.“

Think about it: Would you like to remember 2021 as the year you turned 66 … or the year you and your family attempted a Guinness world record?

4. Think purposefully as you plan your dreams

The research is clear: Having a sense of purpose and meaning in your life is better for your emotional and physical health than the pursuit of happiness.

As you dream about your future and set goals for yourself, think about whether the goal fits your profession. Here are a few resources for inspiration:

• 6 Ways to Find Purpose and Purpose in Retirement
• What is your retirement manifesto?
• Okinawan secrets to longevity: Kigai, Moai, and Hara Hachi Bu
• 11 ideas on how to use money to increase happiness

5. Be flexible about how you interpret dreams

Sure, most people probably dream of spending their days on a lap of luxury in the South Pacific ocean, but it won’t appeal to everyone.

In fact, most of us should be functioning well into our 60s and 70s. In some cases, you may want to fit your dreams in that matter. There are many satisfactions to be had with working. Careers often provide meaning, purpose, and structure to your life – and, as discussed above, those are beautiful dreams.

6. Dreams don’t have to be expensive

Jeff OPenes, “While there is nothing wrong with the travel budget, my dreams are very small. I was lying in bed listening to the rain at 4am this morning. Or, spend time with my wife.”

You continue, “My budget doesn’t allow for a life at a slow pace without stress, but I’m living my dream.”

7. Beware of Lifestyle Creep

Lifestyle changes happen when your income rises, and former luxuries become necessities. You get used to spending a lot.

Karen warns, “People are quickly attacked regardless of their age, so respect the number [how much you need for retirement] he continues to climb. “

To avoid a sedentary lifestyle, it’s important to examine what drives your happiness. Get to what’s important in your life. Understand what “enough” is. “Enough” is a dream.

8. Understand that many save more

Multiple savings are more common than you might think. It’s rare as it’s not enough, but it does happen.

Oversaving often comes from wanting to be prepared for any future contingencies and the fear of running out of money. It can also be a used practice. It can be difficult to transition from working a lifetime of saving to spending on yourself and your dreams.

Learn more about why people overextend and check out advice from other overextended people.

9. Invest in views

Most of the wealthy among us really worry about spending money, especially spending it on things that can be seen as necessities, such as “dreams.”

A few people recommend spending money in a visual way.

Keith says, “I’m always amazed at how well we show how we value capital spending around 1-hour volatility in our portfolio value.”

And, Ray added, “How true. I bought a car during the self-confidence around the pandemic. I negotiated a difference of $ 400 when the flexibility of a profitable day costs easily 3 other cars. That made me laugh.”

10. Know what savings you have left to take care of

One of the most common retirement goals to believe in is having enough money to feel peace of mind and live carefree.

David writes about his ultimate formula for knowing how much you need for retirement. He advises, “I told my father-in-law last month, who is five years from retirement, that the key to happiness in retirement is to be able to just sit back and enjoy life and enjoy life and not worry about money and enjoy the experience.”

Good sound means you have a complete financial plan that:

• He will support you in a variety of future opportunities
• It makes your dreams come true

The Boldlin Retirement Planner is the best online tool for building and maintaining this plan.

11. Plan for the future but live in the present

Dream planning is important. You will not achieve your goals without a plan.

However, you also need to find happiness in the moment. Check out 8 tips for thriving where you are now – no matter what stage of life you are in – and especially if you’re one of those in-betweeners.

Renewed in November 2025