There are 2 types of Financial Goals: Aspirations and Obligations.
According to Merriam-Webster Free Online Dictionary…
- Aspiration is “a strong desire to achieve something high or great”
- Obligation is “something one is bound to do: duty, responsibility”
Simply, an aspiration is something that we really really want (usually for ourselves), it is our hopes and dreams, our heart’s deepest desires. While our obligations are things we want due to a certain role we play – as parents, community members, etc. Most of the times our aspirations are distinct from our obligations, this is ok IF and ONLY IF, both the achievement of aspirations and obligations are pursued. However most of the time, obligations reign and aspirations are forgotten. This is most true when it comes to people with families and children or parents (and siblings) that need looking after. So sometimes it seems like its our obligations vs. our aspirations – this eventually leads to resentment. You either resent those who you are obligated to (because you cannot pursue/achieve your aspirations) or they resent you because you pursue your aspirations at the cost of your obligations.
So, here’s what, make a list – what are your financial goals? Which of them are goals of aspiration and which are goals of obligation? If you were to rate each goal from 1 (low)-10 (high) according to how much resources (time, energy, money) you put into achieving that goal, how would you fare? Strive to balance it out. That’s the only way that you can be truly happy with any financial success you achieve. 
