Now that you have your first major goal—building an emergency fund—let's make a clear plan to achieve it.
We'll use a proven framework called SMART that transforms vague wishes into achievable plans.
Engagement Message
What's one money goal you've been thinking about lately?
Most people set goals like "save for emergencies." This sounds good, but it's too vague to actually achieve.
Without specifics, you can't track progress or know when you've succeeded.
Engagement Message
Why do you think vague goals are hard to achieve?
SMART goals fix this problem. SMART stands for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
This framework turns fuzzy wishes into clear, actionable plans.
Engagement Message
Which word in SMART tells you to track your goal with numbers?
Let's apply SMART to our emergency fund goal. Instead of "save for emergencies," try: "Save $1,000 for my emergency fund by December 31st."
Notice how this version answers: What? How much? When?
Engagement Message
What makes this goal better than just "save for emergencies"?
Specific: "Emergency fund" is more specific than just "savings."
Measurable: A clear number so you can track progress. "$1,000" not "some money."
Engagement Message
Which is more measurable: "pay off debt" or "pay off $5,000 credit card debt"?
Achievable: Realistic based on your income and expenses. Saving $10,000 in one month probably isn't achievable on a $3,000 salary.
