Setting Financial Goals for 2026

Welcome to Radhika’s Newsletter “Intent”. This is your 3x/month guide to purposeful living, wealth-building, and personal growth.

Happy Tuesday! I’m so excited to share this edition of Intent. Today’s topic is all about financial goals and planning.

If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that almost everyone I meet is working toward something in their financial life.

Maybe you’re building your emergency fund, or paying off student loans that feels like it never ends. Maybe you’re trying to create a future that looks nothing like the one you grew up with.

Money isn’t simple. Especially when the world feels unpredictable and everything seems more expensive than it used to be.

But that’s exactly why this conversation matters. Because financial goals aren’t just about money; It’s about getting clear on what you need, what you want, and what you’re actually building toward.

Let’s get into it!

What I’m Sipping On This Month

This month, I’ve been sipping on Jasmine floral tea. I love the way it expands in my clear pot, these little green pearls slowly opening up like they’re waking up with me.

Every cup tastes a little different. Some mornings it’s sweeter, some days more floral, depending on how the leaves open up. But it’s always delicate and subtle.

Starting my mornings with Jasmine tea has been my way of easing into the day. Before the emails, before the noise, before the world needs anything from me.

Intro

This time of year is perfect for thinking about what’s next, not just 2026, but the version of you who will be living that life.

And while setting financial goals sounds like something a financial advisor would nag you about, stay with me…

Why you should set financial goals (the real kind)

I don’t mean saving $100 a meant but think bigger:

• When do you want to buy a house?

• Where do you want to live?

• What’s really important to you: Traveling everywhere or having a large home?

• A big wedding or a strong emergency fund?

• When do you want to have kids, and what would that look like financially?

Research the average costs of those things, then add 20% to it. (I always like to be on the safe side.)

When you zoom out like that, you will see financial goals less about being a restriction and more about design. You’re literally designing the life you want to live.

A note to (and because of) my partner

A lot of this reflection is dedicated to my partner.

Without him, I probably wouldn’t set annual financial goals at all. I used to think saving $500 a month was enough. That was the limit of my thinking.

But because of him, I have:

• Net worth goals

• Cash savings goals

• Liquidity goals (how much we want to have easily available in case of emergencies)

• Risk tolerance goals (how much we’re comfortable investing or betting on ourselves)

We’ve talked through the details: how much it costs to raise kids, where we want to live, how much travel matters to us, and most importantly, how we want to give back.

Wealth isn’t just about earning, it’s about what you do with your money once you have it.

Defining “enough”

What does enough look like for you?

$1 million? $10 million? $50 million? More?

It’s okay to define it. You’re not being greedy or shallow for putting a number on your future. You’re simply clarifying the kind of life you want to live.

And here’s the truth: defining “enough” makes life less stressful. It stops the endless comparison game and brings you back to your own lane.

Do you both want to work? Or would one of you eventually like to take a step back? What would that require financially?

Think of your life in two versions:

1. The current one — where you are right now.

2. The future state — the one you’re building toward.

What are things your future self will delegate? Will it cleaning, grocery shopping, landscaping, child care? Research how much those cost. Build them into your plan. The more honest you are about your desired lifestyle, the more grounded your goals become.

Watch out for the moving target

Here’s one of the biggest traps in personal finance: the moving target.

You might say, “Once I hit $1 million, I’ll feel secure.”
Then you hit it and suddenly $5 million feels like the new finish line.

The goalpost always moves unless you define where it ends.

So even if your net worth right now is $200k, it’s okay to dream about $15 million. Just make sure the dream is coming from who you want to become rather than feeling scared of being left behind.

Because once you’re choices become rooted in intention instead of comparing yourself to everyone else, money feels like a tool for peace rather than pressure.

☕️ The takeaway

Setting financial goals isn’t about becoming obsessive. It’s about becoming aware.

It’s about getting clear on what you want your money should be working towards: the life you want, the people you love, and the freedom you’re building.

So as you think about 2026 and beyond, don’t just set a number, design your future.
Dream big, plan realistically, and remember: Wealth is just one way of expressing intention.

Bonus: What I’m doing for my financial goals:

I’ll be for real: I’ve already started planning for 2026 and beyond.
Here’s how I’m setting my financial goals & the questions I’m asking myself:

1. What’s the minimum I want to keep in my checking account?
   This number used to be $1K; now it’s $10K. It helps me feel safe and comfortable in case of emergencies or high-cost purchases.

2. How much do I want to keep in my high-yield savings account?
   I like knowing exactly how much cash cushion I have earning interest but still easily accessible.

3. How much can I invest in my brokerage account in 2026?

   Is it 50k? Less? More?

4. What net worth target can I hit by December 31, 2026?
   Setting a concrete number helps me stay focused on long-term growth.

5. What’s my burn rate?
   Basically, how much do I spend monthly? Can I set a limit on my credit card?
   My goal is to keep spending under $2K a month.

6. How much “fun” money do I want to have for experiments?
   Things like learning about wine or gold investing, or maybe buying a small business. I want to budget a set amount for these outside-the-box opportunities.

7. I want to buy real estate.
   How much will it cost, and can I set that amount aside? Plus an extra 10% for unexpected expenses?

8. I want to prioritize travel.
   How much do I need for it, and how can I make it cost-efficient without compromising the experience?

9. I analyze my 2025 credit card statements.
   This helps me understand where I’m spending the most. Can I cut that down in any way? Where is most of my money actually going?

10. How are all my 2026 goals helping me reach my future goals?
    Every target I set for next year should align with the bigger picture I’m building toward.

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Thank you so much for being a part of the Intent community. I rely on word-of-mouth for growth. If you enjoyed this newsletter, I’d love for you to share it with a friend.
Your commitment to living with purpose is exactly why this space exists. Can’t wait to share more in the next edition!

Until next time,
Radhika
Creating a life of purpose, wealth, and growth