It's July, a time of year that represents both the middle of the year and a time of celebration and reflection (partly due to it being my birthday month)! This year, I've been thinking a lot about the idea of celebrating the process of reaching one's goals and not just the completion of the goal itself. When it comes to building your financial life, the path to financial well-being is often paved with several small decisions, the formation of good habits, an accumulation of knowledge, and the building of confidence along the way.  However, many common financial goals, such as purchasing a home, paying off student loans, and saving up for retirement, require long-term commitment without a lot of instant gratification. 

So, as we begin the second half of this year, I want to encourage you to spend a little time reflecting on all of the ways that you have taken action and made progress toward your goals, even if you are still in the process of meeting your goals.  

Often, when people think of celebrating milestones in their lives, it is with a big dinner, party, trip, or gift. All of this can come at a considerable expense, which could undermine the financial goals that a person has set for themselves. However, celebrating your wins doesn't need to be a big production; it can be as simple as reflecting on just how far you have come and why you want to keep going. 

Below are a few ideas of ways to celebrate your progress toward your financial goals without spending any money: 

1.     Journal: Write all the financial wins you can think of since the beginning of the year. Think about why these wins were important to you and how it made you feel to accomplish each one. 

2.     Share Your Success with a Friend or Family Member: Sharing your wins with someone who cares about you and your goals can be such a satisfying touchpoint toward your goals. 

3.     Update Your Vision Board: Do you have a vision board? Take some time to review your vision board and see the things that you have accomplished and incorporated into your life. 

4.     Level Up Your Routine: Make your favorite meal for dinner and really take the time to make it memorable with music and a nicely set table, or spend extra time getting ready for bed with a long bath with music and anything else you have on hand to make it a more luxurious experience. 

5.     Plan a Fun Activity using Free Community Activities: Break up your routine and attend something out of the ordinary. Challenge yourself to find an enjoyable free activity in your city to attend, like a local concert or museum visit on a free night.  

6.     Take Some Time Off: Whether it is a plan to take a long walk in nature, making space for a meditation or mindfulness practice, going to bed early to read, or simply planning an afternoon or day to do absolutely nothing. Taking time off can be the ultimate luxury when someone is hustling to meet their goals. 

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate your wins, the point is to make taking time to celebrate yourself and your progress a priority! This not only helps to keep you motivated to keep going but also gives you the kudos you deserve for every step in the right direction.