The key to getting where you want to go is making a plan and sticking to it. Winging it — counting on luck or a financial guardian angel — will only get you so far. The best way to reach your goals is by setting clear, vetted financial goals and putting them in a framework that will evolve over time as life changes and priorities shift.

Whether you’re saving for your children’s education, buying a home or achieving retirement bliss, there are certain things that every successful Achieving your financial goals. These include being specific, measurable, achievable, and relevant.

Achieving Your Financial Goals: A Step-by-Step Approach

Once you’ve vetted your financial goals, it’s important to map them out with a timeline and some accountability. It’s best to start with short-term goals — the kind you can achieve in a year or less. These can be as simple as buying a new smartphone, paying off a debt or saving for a vacation.

Next come mid-term financial goals — those that will take you up to five years to complete, such as finishing a degree or paying down credit card debts. Then there are long-term financial goals — those that will probably take 10 years or more to accomplish, like buying a house and saving for your child’s college tuition.

Once you’ve set your goals, stick to them by writing them down on a spreadsheet or notepad and tracking your progress. There are even apps that can help you keep track.