You’ve Got the Goal. We’ve Got You.
Reaching your financial goals requires consistency, stamina, and support. Northwestern Mutual is here to help you cross the finish line.
Reaching your financial goals can feel a lot like running a race. Like any race, your financial goals take training, careful planning, and time to accomplish, and the right support can help you spot blind spots and opportunities you might not have seen on your own. Along the way, you’ll encounter different milestones: some close within reach and others far off on the horizon.
Different events in your life call for different levels of planning ahead, but the key is to have a plan. Progress requires consistency, effort, and an intentional plan that moves you forward. You can’t do it all at once, but you can take small steps each day toward the finish line. Your financial advisor can help you build that plan, and Northwestern Mutual is here to guide you on your journey and celebrate each win along the way.
What's in this guide
Section 01 Let’s Get You to Your Sprint Goal
You’ve got things to get done and goals that feel like real priorities for the near future. Think of these goals as short-term efforts with a finish line you can see not too far in the distance, much like a sprint. These tend to be the goals that keep you up at night—paying down a credit card balance, covering a pressing home repair, or setting aside enough for a milestone celebration you don’t want to miss. What they share is a sense of urgency and a finish line close enough to see, which makes them worth tackling first. Clearing them off your plate can free up momentum and resources for the longer races ahead.
Sprint goals are the goals you’re working toward in the next 12 months, like:
Saving toward an emergency fund. An emergency fund can help you cover unexpected expenses, like a car repair or medical bill, without derailing your budget. Start with an amount you can comfortably set aside, and build your savings one month at a time.
Paying off debt. Getting ahead of your debt can free up room in your budget for other priorities. Start by making a plan to tackle high-interest balances while keeping up with minimum payments on your other debts. Set a savings goal and timeline, and then work a regular contribution into your budget.
Saving for a major purchase. Whether you’re planning a big vacation, need to upgrade an appliance, or want to buy a new car, saving on a schedule can make the purchase feel more manageable.
Not sure where to start? Your Northwestern Mutual advisor can help create a plan that works for you.
Three ways to get moving
Define your finish line
Identify exactly what you want to achieve and how much you’ll need.
Set your pace
Break your goal into monthly milestones you can track by month.
Build momentum
Create habits that help keep you moving forward, even when life gets busy.
The best way to start is simply to start. A Northwestern Mutual financial advisor can help you create a plan for the goals closest to the finish line, so you can start crossing them off and building momentum for what’s next.
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Section 02 Let’s Get You to Your Marathon Goal
Anyone who has run a marathon can attest to the time and effort training requires. Likewise, longer-term financial goals take time, consistency, and the ability to stick to a plan. These are the goals with no quick shortcut: saving to launch a business, investing toward early retirement, or putting away enough for a down payment on a home. Like any long race, the key is preparation and persistence, and a financial plan can help connect the priorities in front of you today with milestones that may be years down the road.
Much like training for a long race, every step forward matters as you work toward goals like:
Saving for a down payment on a house. Start by setting a goal based on your budget and the kind of home you want to buy. Then chip away at it over time. Saving money automatically every month can help you make steady progress over the long term.
Paying for college or other advanced education. Whether you’re planning for your child’s college tuition or your own education, start saving early and consistently.
Planning for a major life milestone, like getting married or having a baby. Major milestones can bring exciting changes and new expenses. Building those costs into your budget and setting aside money ahead of time can help you reach big goals one step at a time.
Not sure where to start? Your Northwestern Mutual advisor can help create a plan that works for you.
Here are three ways to stay on pace
Know your finish line
Define what success looks like and when you want to get there.
Build your strategy
Create a savings and investing plan that supports your timeline.
Lean on a coach
The best marathoners don’t do it alone. Having the right plan and support can help keep you on track when life throws you a curve.
Every long journey begins with a single step, and you don’t have to take it alone. Reach out to a Northwestern Mutual financial advisor, who can help you create a plan that keeps you on pace for the goals that take time, consistency, and the ability to stick with it, so every step forward moves you close to the finish line.
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Section 03 Let’s Get You to Your Endurance Goal
Some financial goals may take years to achieve. These goals don’t require just consistency and effort; they demand endurance to push through the bumps in the road and keep going no matter what. Endurance goals are measured over a lifetime—buying a home to be close to family, paying off investment properties—and they’re also the ones for which a long-term plan and a trusted advisor can help you keep moving forward no matter what the road brings.
Think of endurance goals as long-term ambitions, such as:
Retirement planning. The journey toward retirement starts with a few simple steps earlier in your life. Saving consistently and reviewing your plan as your needs change can help you make steady progress toward that future.
Building a legacy. A thoughtful plan can help you use your money to make an impact during your lifetime and beyond.
Lasting security for the people you love. Growing your savings, periodically reviewing your insurance coverage, and keeping your estate plan up to date can help you create a secure future for your loved ones.
Not sure where to start? Your Northwestern Mutual advisor can help create a plan that works for you.
Three ways to go the distance:
Start with your future in mind
Picture the life you’re building for yourself and the people you love; then map out what it will take to get there.
Make time your advantage
Consistent investing and long-term planning can help keep you and your loved ones on track for the future.
Partner with a trusted guide
Every endurance athlete benefits from support. A trusted financial advisor can help you build a plan, adjust as life changes, and keep moving toward your goals.
You don’t need to have everything figured out to take the first step. A Northwestern Mutual financial advisor can help you build a plan designed to go the distance, so no matter how far the finish line may be, you’ll have a partner to help you continue forward.
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