Planning for Your Financial Future: How to Set a Budget with Your Spouse

Step 1: Determine Your Financial Goals
Make up a list of your long-range and immediate financial goals. Create this list together.

Long-Range Financial Goals
What do you see money offering you in the future? Your list might include:

• Retirement
• College education for children
• Ability to take long vacations when the kids are much older
• Charitable donations

• Mortgage
• Private school tuition for children
• School supplies
• Food
• Clothing (business and casual)
• Household supplies
• Summer camp
• Vacations
• Car payments
• Utilities
• Dry cleaning
• Newspaper delivery, magazine subscriptions
• Entertainment (movies, dinner)
• Personal grooming (haircuts, manicures, massages)