As a parent, your hopes and dreams for your family are likely dependent on your finances.

After all, aspirations like buying a house, providing a comfortable life for your children, and sending them to college can require a hefty amount of funds. By creating a financial plan, you can not only better prepare and save for these important milestones but also bolster your ability to safeguard your loved ones’ future.

Establish your goals

The first step is to identify your monetary goals. Consider both short-term ones, such as buying a new sofa, and long-term ones, such as building a sufficient retirement account. By clearly defining your vision, you can better prioritize your spending and make more focused decisions to help you work toward your objectives. Be sure to note the amount of money you may require for each, overestimating a bit to give yourself some buffer room. Then review what you already have in savings to gauge how much more you may need to stash away. Once you have that information, you can establish a timeline and start taking the steps that will help you get there.

Create a budget

A well-crafted budget is the cornerstone of any sound financial plan—by tracking all your income and expenses, you can curb impulse spending and ensure that you prioritize saving for your goals. If you don’t already have a budget, download an online template or app like Honeydue to help you get started. Begin by identifying and categorizing essential costs, including housing, utilities, and debt payments, then set aside a modest amount for discretionary spending on takeout, entertainment, and other fun activities. What’s left is how much you’re able to put into savings; if it doesn’t seem like enough, you can try adjusting the other categories where possible to free up funds. Also, make sure to decide how much you want to apportion to each of your objectives based on their importance and timeline.

Pay down debts

If you owe money, incorporate into your financial plan a strategy for paying it back; otherwise, you could wind up paying a substantial amount in interest and fees, hindering your goals. One effective tactic, known as the avalanche method, is targeting credit cards or loans with higher fees or interest rates first since those may cost you more in the long run. Or you could utilize the snowball method, which focuses on settling your smallest debts to start and working your way up to your bigger ones. Another option to explore is refinancing your loans, such as for your car or home, to get a lower interest rate so more of what you pay goes toward the principal. Any of these strategies may accelerate your debt repayment, ultimately freeing up more income for your financial goals.

Save for college

It’s never too early to open a college fund for your child. Aim to stash away some money, no matter how little, for their education at least monthly. You could also enlist loved ones to contribute, such as by requesting a donation for each holiday or birthday. Just make sure to stow these funds in a separate account so they can remain untouched. A high-yield savings account is always a good choice to facilitiate higher earnings, or consider a 529 plan, which is specifically designed for college savings. Your money will grow tax-deferred, and then you can withdraw funds as needed for qualified education expenses without paying federal income tax.

Fund your retirement

It can be tempting to delay saving for retirement, especially if there are more pressing responsibilities. But this could have serious consequences in the long run, potentially placing a financial strain on your children to help care for you in your golden years. Even if you can currently only contribute a small portion of your paycheck to a retirement plan, doing so will ensure that your nest egg keeps growing over time; your employer may even match your 401(k) contributions, helping it build even more. You could also diversify your investments across stocks, bonds, real estate, and annuities to possibly maximize your savings. Consider consulting a financial advisor for assistance creating a personalized retirement plan aligned with your specific goals and risk tolerance.

Provide family protections

Having adequate health, auto, homeowners, and life insurance can be essential for protecting your family’s savings should something unexpected happen, so be sure to have such safety nets and verify that their coverage is sufficient. Many parents tend to overlook life insurance in particular, viewing it as a nonessential expense while they’re relatively young and healthy. However, it can be crucial to supporting your family financially in case of your passing, replacing the income you provided.

Similarly, don’t neglect putting together your last will and testament, which can ensure that your assets transfer to your family with minimal time, money, and emotional effort required on their part. You can also add extra protections for your minor children by noting who should be their guardian and when they should receive any inheritance.

Creating a family financial plan may seem daunting, but it can be an empowering step toward establishing greater security. For help getting started, reach out to a financial advisor, who can assist you in identifying the right options for your circumstances and goals and answer any specific questions you may have. By taking charge of your finances in this way, you can build a firm foundation for you and your loved ones both now and for the future.