American Consumer Credit Counseling explains how to set goals with appropriate timelines.
Boston, MA – December 13, 2018
Sticking to a budget is not always easy, but setting goals is one-way consumers can work through situations – such as consumer debt – that cause financial stress. When setting financial goals, it is important to be realistic and decide if each goal can be achieved in a couple of months or a couple of years. To help consumers, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) explains long term vs. short-term goals.
“Setting a solid financial goal starts with creating a realistic timeframe that the goal can be achieved in,” said Steve Trumble, President, and CEO of American Consumer Credit Counseling. “When budgeting to achieve financial goals, it is important to decide which goals can be achieved quickly and which might take some time.”
According to a survey by GoBankingRates, 57 percent of respondents say they have less than $1,000 in their savings account, a 12 percent decrease from 2016. The survey also found that 25 percent of respondents have $10,000 or more in their savings account. On the contrary, 39 percent say they have $0 saved, up from 34 percent in 2016.
Short term goals
Short term goals range from one month to one year. It is suggested that consumers use short-term goals to eliminate credit card debt and establish an emergency savings’ fund. Some other types of short-term financial goals include saving to have discretionary income after paying off bills or to pay for minor home improvements, holiday spending, or household furniture.
Long-term goals
Long-term goals are usually achieved in five or more years. This type of goal requires a methodical saving and investing plan. Long-term goals can include saving for retirement, paying off a mortgage, or becoming debt free.
ACCC is a 501(c)3 organization that provides free credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and housing counseling to consumers nationwide in need of financial literacy education and money management. For more information, contact ACCC:
- For credit counseling, call 800-769-3571
- For bankruptcy counseling, call 866-826-6924
- For housing counseling, call 866-826-7180
- Or visit us online at ConsumerCredit.com
About American Consumer Credit Counseling
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a nonprofit credit counseling 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to achieve financial management through credit counseling, debt management, bankruptcy counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling and financial education concerning debt solutions. To help consumers reach their goal of debt relief, ACCC provides a range of free consumer personal finance resources on a variety of topics including budgeting, credit and debt management, student loan assistance, youth and money, homeownership, identity theft, senior living, and retirement. Consumers can use ACCC’s worksheets, videos, calculators, and blog articles to make the best possible decisions regarding their financial future. ACCC holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®). For more information or to access free financial education resources, log on to ConsumerCredit.com or visit https://www.consumercredit.com/debt-resources-tools/
