1. Setting Goals and Planning Making them SMART

2. Make Your Goals Specific  Specific –Fuzzy I want to have more money –Precise I will save $20 per week by reducing spending on entertainment and clothing

3. Make your Goals Measurable  State what you want and when you want it. –If you want to save $100, and your goal was to save $20/week, a reasonable completion date is 5 weeks.

4. Make your Goals Action-Oriented  Precisely how are you to achieve your goal?

5. Make your Goals Realistic  I can afford to save this money

6. Make your Goal Timely  Allow a reasonable time and set a deadline. –Too much time allows you to lose focus  It all adds up to SMART

7. Set Long Term and Short Term Goals  Long Term first –Five years from now –Personal development, lifestyle, school, career  Then Short Term –This semester –Personal life –get involved in a community activity –Academic – don’t miss any classes

8. Develop a Plan of Action  Daily planner –Academic Goals –Calendar – monthly and weekly goals Code different course in different colors Pencil makes it easier to change Write down major exams, papers, and projects Figure out how much time you will need for each task Make a copy of your calendar – one to carry to class, one to post in your room

9. The Weekly Plan  What do I expect to accomplish?  What must I do to reach my goals?  What are the priorities of the tasks?  How much time will each task take?  When will I do each activity?  How flexible can I be to allow for unexpected things?

10. Monday AM 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 PM 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 PlanActual

11. Financial Goals  Do you… –Balance your checkbook? –Use a financial program (Money, etc.) –Know how much school costs? –Have credit cards?

12. Account Basics  Overdraft Protection  Linked Savings  Minimum Balance  Other features to ask about –ATM, fees, students accounts, online banking

13. Budgeting  Be Real  It all Counts  Keep on Top of Things  Add it Up

14. Plastic Intelligence Quotient  Once you turn 25, credit card companies start rating you on how you use credit. –FALSE  Credit card companies charge the same amount of interest for whatever you charge –FALSE  As long as you pay your full monthly balance, you won’t get charged any interest. –FALSE  If you lose your credit card, call the police right away. –FALSE

15. So Your in Over Your Head  Call your creditors! –Most will work out a payment plan  Focus –Eliminate “want to have” in favor of “have to have”  Park the Plastic  Consolidate  What went wrong

16. Be Consistent and Persistent  Keep after your goals  Look at obstacles as challenges

17. Monitor Your Progress  Use the weekly goals section to note your progress.

18. How to Beat Procrastination  Don’t wait to do the important tasks. –Start Now!  Reward yourself when you complete a task  Work with and encourage others. –Let them encourage you  Be in control. Just let the phone ring!