A practical starting point for connecting your money to what matters.

Time horizon is the period before you expect to need your money. It is one of the most useful starting points for informed financial planning.

A near-term expense, an education goal and retirement may require different approaches. An investment that suits a distant goal can be inappropriate for money needed soon, because there may be little time to recover from a loss.

Write down the goal, its likely timing and a reasonable estimate of its cost. Account for inflation, and revisit assumptions periodically. Keep an accessible emergency reserve separate from long-term investments.

A calculator can help you explore scenarios, but its results depend on assumptions. Actual returns vary and may be negative. Use planning tools to understand trade-offs, not to predict a guaranteed outcome.

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