"How Much Do I Need for Retirement?" Finding your Maximized Stewardship Number

How Much Do I Need for Retirement? Introducing the Maximized Stewardship Number

Most financial blogs ask, “How much do I need to retire?” but for those of us trying to follow Christ and live for eternity, that’s not a fulfilling question. We’re not called merely to retire into leisure. We’re called to be faithful to Christ to the very end of our lives.

That’s why I prefer a better question:

What is my Maximized Stewardship Number?

This number isn’t about beaches, golf courses, or RV trips across the country, although this number can certainly include leisure. It’s about freedom—freedom to give radically, serve without constraint, and go wherever God calls without financial hesitation. It’s the number that, once reached, unleashes your ability to be fully available to God's mission—across the street or across the ocean.

Let’s dig into how you calculate it—and how you can reach it with purpose and joy.

100 S.M.A.R.T. Financial Goals

S.M.A.R.T. goals are a framework for setting clear, achievable objectives. The acronym stands for:

Specific – Clearly define the goal. Avoid vague or broad objectives.

Measurable – Establish criteria to track progress and determine when the goal is achieved.

Achievable – Set a goal that is realistic given available resources and constraints.

Relevant – Ensure the goal aligns with broader objectives and values.

Time-bound – Set a deadline to create urgency and accountability.

(S.M.A.R.T. goals were first introduced by George T. Doran in a 1981 article titled "There's a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management’s Goals and Objectives." Doran was a consultant and former Director of Corporate Planning for Washington Water Power Company. His original framework was designed to help businesses create effective goals, but over time, it has been widely adopted in personal development, education, and various industries.)

S.M.A.R.T. goals help people avoid the common pitfalls of “good, old-fashioned” goal-setting—like vagueness, lack of accountability, and unrealistic expectations. 

Sometimes it is hard to know where to start with our goals. So here is a list of 100 SMART financial goals. 

Giving & Generosity

1. Tithe 10% of my gross income every month for the next year.

2. Increase my giving to 12% of my income within the next 12 months.

3. Give generously to a ministry my church supports.

4. Set aside $50 per month to help someone in need in my church.

5. Pay for a young family's meal in the next two months. 

6. Provide an anonymous financial blessing of $200 to a struggling family within the next 6 months.

7. Increase my church offering by $50 per month starting next quarter.

8. Support a seminary student with a $1000 gift by the end of this year.

9. Pay for a single mom’s groceries one time in the next 3 months.

10. Contribute $1000 to a church building fund within the next year.

Debt Reduction & Financial Freedom

11. Pay off my smallest debt ($XXX) in the next 3 months.

12. Pay off all my credit card debt within the next 12 months.

13. Reduce my student loan balance by 25% within the next 2 years.

14. Pay off my mortgage 10 years early by increasing principal payments by $200/month.

15. Pay off my car loan within the next 18 months.

16. Eliminate all consumer debt within the next 3 years.

17. Avoid taking on any new debt for the next 5 years.

18. Stop using credit cards immediately.

19. Save $5000 for a debt-free family vacation by next summer.

20. Complete Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University within 6 months.

Savings & Emergency Fund

21. Save $1000 for a starter emergency fund within 3 months.

22. Build a 6-month emergency fund ($XX,XXX) within the next 18 months.

23. Save $5000 for a major home repair by next year.

24. Set up a dedicated savings account for unexpected giving opportunities within 2 months.

25. Save $200 per month toward a future vehicle purchase in cash.

26. Increase my emergency fund savings rate by 20% starting next month.

27. Open a high-yield savings account within the next 30 days.

28. Have at least $10,000 in liquid savings within 5 years.

29. Save for 3 months of living expenses before making a major career transition.

30. Starting now, save $50 per paycheck for Christmas gifts to avoid holiday debt.

Investing & Wealth Building

31. Contribute $500 per month to my retirement account for the next year.

32. Increase my 401(k) contributions to 15% of my income within 6 months.

33. Open a Roth IRA and contribute $7000 by the end of this year.

34. Max out my Roth IRA every year starting this year.

35. Open an investment account and deposit $1000 within 3 months.

36. Save for a rental property down payment within the next 5 years.

37. Read a book on investing in the next 2 months.

38. Consult a faith-based financial advisor within the next 6 months.

39. Invest $50 per month in my child’s education fund.

40. Increase my net worth by $50,000 over the next 5 years.

Income Growth & Career Advancement

41. Negotiate a raise or promotion within the next 12 months.

42. Start a side business that generates $500/month within a year.

43. Complete a certification to improve my job skills within 6 months.

44. Earn an additional $5000 in income through freelance work within a year.

45. Invest in a course or conference that enhances my career within 6 months.

46. Create a passive income stream that earns $200/month within 3 years.

47. Ask my employer about a retirement plan match and contribute accordingly.

48. Monetize a hobby to generate $1000 in extra income this year.

49. Sell unused household items and save $500 from the proceeds.

50. Start a business that aligns with biblical values within 3 years.

Stewardship & Financial Discipline

51. Create a monthly budget and stick to it for 6 consecutive months.

52. Track every dollar I spend for 90 days to identify wasteful spending.

53. Use cash envelopes for discretionary spending for the next 3 months.

54. Reduce unnecessary subscriptions and save $500 annually.

55. Review my insurance policies and adjust coverage if necessary within 3 months.

56. Set financial goals for the next 5 years and write them down.

57. Teach my children about biblical money principles within 6 months. Use this. This. Or this.

58. Have a weekly budget meeting with my spouse for the next 12 months.

59. Read one personal finance book every quarter for a year. Start with this one.

60. Establish a habit of financial accountability with a trusted friend.

Children & Family Finances

61. Start a college savings account for my child within 3 months.

62. Teach my child how to manage money by setting up a simple budget.

63. Help my teen open a checking account and teach them to balance it.

64. Pay cash for my child’s extracurricular activities for the next year.

65. Teach my children about giving by having them donate 10% of their earnings.

66. Save $500 for each child’s future expenses by next year.

67. Find out the lump-sum amount or monthly amount needed to help my child become a millionaire.

68. Open a custodial investment account for my child within 6 months.

69. Set up a family meeting to discuss financial stewardship.

70. Help my child earn their first $100 through work instead of an allowance.

Homeownership & Major Purchases

71. Save $20,000 for a home down payment within 3 years.

72. Pay off my home early by making extra principal payments every month.

73. Save for and pay cash for all home improvements.

74. Avoid financing furniture or appliances for the next 5 years.

75. Save $10,000 for a vehicle purchase within 2 years.

76. Pay cash for my next vehicle instead of financing.

77. Research home refinancing options to save on interest.

78. Build a home maintenance fund of $2000 within the next year.

79. Invest in energy-efficient home upgrades with a payback period under 5 years.

80. Set a savings goal for a future vacation home or property.

Long-Term Legacy & Estate Planning

81. Write a will within the next 6 months.

82. Set up a trust for my children’s inheritance within 2 years.

83. Purchase life insurance that provides for my family’s needs.

84. Designate charitable giving in my estate plan.

85. Meet with an estate planning attorney within 12 months.

86. Teach my children about responsible wealth management.

87. Create a plan to transfer business assets biblically.

88. Assign financial power of attorney to a trusted person.

89. Leave a written financial testimony for my family.

90. Set up automatic giving to my church upon my death by listing the church as a beneficiary.

Faith & Contentment Goals

91. Pray over every financial decision for 30 days before making a major purchase.

92. Read one book on biblical stewardship this year. Try this one.

93. Memorize 10 Bible verses about money and stewardship (Proverbs 3:9-10, Proverbs 22:7, Malachi 3:10, Matthew 6:19-21, Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 16:10-11, 1 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Hebrews 13:5)

94. Host a Bible study on financial stewardship.

95. Declutter and give away items I no longer use.

96. Fast from non-essential spending for 30 days.

97. Replace “I need” with “God provides” in financial conversations.

98. Keep a gratitude journal for financial blessings.

99. Take a survey to see where you stand on your finances. Try this one.

100. Trust God’s provision and avoid anxiety about money.