Here are six steps to setting financial goals.

1. Figure out what matters to you. Put everything, from the practical and pressing to the whimsical and distant, on the table for inspection and weighing.

2. Sort out what’s within reach, what will take a bit of time, and which must be part of a long-term strategy.

3. Apply a SMART- goal strategy. That is, make certain your ambitions are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. SMART.

4. Create a realistic budget. Get a strong handle on what’s coming in and what’s going out, then work it to address your goals. Use your budget to plug leaks in your financial ship.

5. With any luck, your tough, realistic, water-tight budget will show at least a handful of leftover dollars. Whatever that amount is, have it automatically directed into a separate account designed to address the first couple of things on your list of priorities.

6. Monitor your progress. Make sure that you are hitting certain benchmarks. If not, take some time to re-evaluate what went wrong.