Everyone wants to retire at an age that is young enough to enjoy it. Planning is the first step toward achieving your goals. Though what is your goal – how much do you need?

Step 1: Define the goal. How much do I need?

• Dream it. This step doesn’t (necessarily) happen at a desk. Take yourself out. Whether it’s for coffee / tea or for a walk, run, surf. Do it in a setting that inspires you. Think about what matters to you. Visualize it. Think about what you value. What kind of lifestyle do you want to live? What do you want your money to achieve for you?
• Plan it. Now grab your notebook, sit down and write down your financial goals. Including that lifestyle that you want to live. Be as specific and descriptive as possible. Then calculate how much is needed to achieve those goals.
• Live it. Now that you know what your goals are, and have defined them clearly, you can go about reaching them. One step at a time.

Step 2: Calculate my retirement. The confrontation.

Do the calculation. Go plug in your goals as well as your inflows and outflows of money in a retirement calculator. Calculate right now.

Confronting, isn’t it? Now that you know where you stand and what you want, you can take steps to get there.

Step 3: Getting there step-by-step. Financial independence.

Creating financial independence involves creating your own wealth. Your personal wealth depends on what you value most in life. Money is just a resource to get there.

Bringing it all together:

Taking the steps toward achieving your financial goals involves staying your course and being confident in your well-informed steps. There is no room for doubt and comparison here.
A little word on doubt: Blanket statements like, “your whole portfolio is garbage” or a well-meaning friend that remarks, “I hear that investing is risky and expensive”, are not helping you achieve your financial goals.
Be wary of individuals (be it friends or stock brokers) that may share (un)solicited advice with you, while they may or may not have your well being at best interest. Common scare tactics and apprised insecurity (maybe even jealousy?) are not helping you. They are hindering you. Stick to your path! Follow your goals.
Also, once you have your wealth, value it and take care of it. Learn to be happy with what you have and cherish it.
Because what is wealth if it is not personalized and appreciated by you? By valuing it, you give it its worth.
Make sure to check in with your partner. Being and stating aligned is key. It’s totally doable to make both of your dreams come true. Just make sure that you are consistently on the same page in what goals that you are achieving together and that you are both committed to the journey of getting there. Every day. 

What do you define as wealth? What are your financial goals? Share your comments with us below. We are just as much inspired by you, as you are by Eve & Elle.