So, here are some things to keep in mind as you move ahead in your journey

Looking at the whole picture

Sometimes, when you’re busy working towards certain goals in life, it can be easy to miss the steps you’re taking that are actually helping you along. 

For example, did you save a little more over the last few weeks? Did you create a budget and stick to it? 

Whatever your ‘end goals’ may be (like homeownership or a sound retirement nest egg), the smaller steps you take along the way can have multifold impacts on your outcome. Those extra savings could go towards paying off your car (or home) loan, the budgeting can help you stay on track and feel more confident financially, and timely credit card payments can boost your credit score (which is great for future loan applications).

Remember: your financial journey is not made of individual parts, but the sum of its parts, working together. So, try to pause and look at the whole picture of what you’re doing to achieve your goals, including the smaller steps. It can boost your motivation, and give you a fresh perspective on your financial journey.

The intangible ‘win’ you might have missed

Learned anything new recently about money? 

One of the crucial things you can do to achieve your goals is expand your financial literacy. If you spend any time on financial education (even learning from setbacks), it’s a ‘win’ that may look tiny, but is mighty.

Plus, research from the Commission of Financial Capability (CFFC) supports this idea: the report found that, when it comes to long-term financial wellbeing, “knowledge is power”. In fact, it went further to add that “a person’s financial knowledge, behaviour and psychology can have a greater influence on their overall financial wellbeing rather than how much they earn, how old they are or what ethnicity or gender they identify with.”

So, if you can see some growth in your learnings, or are aiming to learn more, you can count that as a milestone certainly worth celebrating.

Smaller milestones to acknowledge

Ready to take a moment and, as the saying goes, ‘smell the roses’? 

It’s always a good time to acknowledge how far you’ve come – especially when you feel a bit stuck. If you take a moment to appreciate the journey, you may realise that you’re achieving smaller milestones more often than you think. For example:

• Are you saving actively?
• Are you being mindful with your borrowing?
• Is the long term on your mind?
• Have you set some clear financial goals?
• Do you try to learn more about money every now and then? Or seek expert advice when you might need to?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you’re one step closer to your goals.

We’re in your corner

As advisers, we are here to help on your journey with expert mortgage and insurance advice. So, if you’d like to talk through your goals with us, get in touch anytime.

Disclaimer: Please note that the content provided in this article is intended as an overview and as general information only. While care is taken to ensure accuracy and reliability, the information provided is subject to continuous change and may not reflect current development or address your situation. Before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article, please use your discretion and seek independent guidance.

Link Financial Group Ltd trading as Mortgage Link and Insurance Link FSP 696731 holds a licence issued by the Financial Markets Authority to provide financial advice. Insurance Link (NZ) FSP 446867 is authorised by that licence to provide financial advice. Please visit www.insurancelink.co.nz/available-disclosure for more information and Disclosure information.