Savings Goal Prioritizer
Overwhelmed by financial choices? Stop guessing. Use our intelligent ranking system to decide exactly where your next dollar should go.
Add a Financial Goal
Decision Paralysis is Expensive
Most people have more wants than wallets. You want to buy a house, go to Europe, pay off student loans, and retire early—all at the same time. When you try to do everything at once, you often end up achieving nothing. Our Savings Goal Prioritizer applies the economic principle of "Opportunity Cost" to your personal life, helping you build a sequential roadmap to financial success.
The Hierarchy of Savings
Financial experts generally agree on a specific "Order of Operations" for money management:
Safety Net
A small Emergency Fund ($1,000 - $3,000) to prevent new debt.
Employer Match
Contribute to 401(k) just enough to get the free money match.
Toxic Debt
Pay off credit cards and loans with interest rates above ~7%.
Major Goals
Saving for a house down payment, wedding, or fully funding retirement.
Using the "Waterfall" Method
This tool encourages a "Waterfall" approach. Instead of putting $100 into 5 different buckets (where none fill up quickly), you pour all $500 into the top bucket until it overflows to the next.
Why? Psychology. Completing one goal fully gives you a dopamine hit and momentum. Seeing 5 goals all at "10% complete" for years is discouraging.
Couples Planning
He wants a truck. She wants a vacation. Use this tool to objectively rank goals based on cost and time, taking the emotion out of the argument.
Windfalls
Got a tax refund or bonus? Don't just spend it. Run it through your priority list to see which bucket needs it most.
Career Change
Expecting a pay cut to follow your passion? Re-prioritize your goals to see what you can still afford on a smaller budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What about "Sinking Funds"?
Sinking funds are for expected future costs (like car insurance due in 6 months). These are technically expenses, not savings goals. You should budget for them monthly before allocating money to these long-term goals.
Is investing a savings goal?
Yes and no. Retirement investing is a non-negotiable monthly line item. "Extra" investing (for a brokerage account) competes with other savings goals like a new car.
How often should I update this?
Life changes fast. Re-evaluate your priorities every 6 months or whenever you have a major life event (new job, baby, move).
Not Financial Advice
This tool provides a framework for decision making. It does not replace a Certified Financial Planner who understands your specific risk tolerance and tax situation.
Data Privacy
We do not store your goals or financial data. This calculator runs entirely in your browser.