Five years ago, at the end of September and beginning of October, On Purpose Financial took on its current form. Phil McMullin retired, the name changed, and the firm you know today was born.

Anniversaries like this are more than dates on a calendar. They are natural checkpoints. They invite us to pause, look back at what has changed, and look ahead at what we want the next five years to be.

The same is true in your financial life. Before you jump into “What are my 2027 goals?” It can be helpful to sit with a few deeper questions first.

These prompts are meant to help you reflect on the past year and clarify what really matters going forward.

What is important to me now that is different from the past?

Values and priorities shift over time. The things that were at the top of your list five or ten years ago may not be the same today.

You might have been focused on paying off debt, building a career, or raising young children. Now you may be more concerned with time freedom, supporting aging parents, helping adult children launch, or giving more generously.

Take a moment to ask yourself what feels most important to you and your family right now, and how that is different from what mattered most five years ago. 

Often, this simple comparison reveals that your financial plan has been faithfully serving “old priorities” and could use a refresh to match the current version of your life.

What financial realities changed this year, or will change soon?

Goals are most useful when they are grounded in reality.

Think about what has actually happened this past year, and what you reasonably expect to happen in the near future. For example:

• Did your income change because of a promotion, a job change, or reduced work hours?
• Did inflation, housing costs, or healthcare expenses hit harder than expected?
• Are you anticipating a major expense, such as college tuition, a move, or a home project?

Naming these realities does not mean you are giving up on your goals. It simply gives you a more accurate picture as you plan for 2027, so your goals are not built on last year’s assumptions.

What do I wish I had done this past year?

Hindsight is often clearer than foresight. Looking back at 2026 so far, ask yourself:

• What do I wish I had done with my money or my time?
• Is there something I kept putting off that still feels important?

Maybe you wish you had increased your savings, scheduled that financial planning meeting, given more intentionally, or taken a trip you kept postponing. These “I wish I had…” thoughts are not there to make you feel guilty. They are clues.

They point to actions that mattered to you, but did not make it onto the calendar. The follow‑up question is natural: how can those wishes inform what you choose to do next year?

What do I want to be true in 2027 that is not true today?

Once you have looked back, it becomes easier to look forward. 

Ask yourself what you hope will be different one year from now and what you want to have done, started, or made progress on. This might be very practical, such as building up a cash reserve, paying down a specific debt, or getting your estate documents updated. It might also be more relational or experiential, such as feeling less anxious about money, taking a meaningful trip with family, or being more consistent with your giving. 

The goal is not to create a perfect list, but to surface what you genuinely care about so your 2027 goals are rooted in what matters instead of what simply feels urgent. 

What life transitions am I anticipating in the next year?

Life transitions are often where finances and emotions collide. Looking ahead to the next 12 to 18 months, consider:

• Is anyone in the household planning to retire or change jobs?
• Are there upcoming college decisions, graduations, or moves?
• Are there health issues, for you or for family members, that may impact work, caregiving, or expenses?
• Are you taking on more responsibility for an aging parent?

These transitions can be positive, challenging, or a mix of both. They often affect income, spending, time, and stress levels. Naming them in advance allows you to build your 2027 plan with a bit more margin and realism.

What am I worried about when it comes to money?

Most people do not think in terms of “risk tolerance.” They think in terms of worries. 

You might find yourself concerned about markets and volatility, inflation, job security, healthcare costs, or the possibility of outliving your savings. You might worry about being able to support children through college, or about how you would handle an unexpected caregiving responsibility. 

It can be helpful to write down what specifically you are worried about financially right now and which concerns feel the loudest. Some of those worries may be more emotional than mathematical, while others may point to real gaps in your plan. Once they are named, you and your advisor can sort through which concerns are already covered, which need attention, and what concrete steps might help reduce that anxiety. 

Who do I support, and is that changing?

Many people support others financially in ways that are not always obvious when they first think about “my budget.”

Consider:

• Are you supporting adult children or other relatives in ongoing or occasional ways?
• Are you helping with rent, tuition, medical bills, or other expenses?
• Are you stepping into more support for parents or other aging family members?

Then ask:

• Do I expect any of this support to change in the next year?

Support can increase, decrease, or shift from one person to another. Building these realities into your 2027 plan can keep you from feeling surprised when money flows a certain direction that is actually very consistent with your values.

How do I want to give in 2027?

Giving is often where values show up most clearly.

Ask yourself:

• What causes, organizations, or communities felt important to me this year?
• What do I want to see more of in the world, and how can I help support that?
• Does the way I am giving now reflect those priorities?

This might mean setting up a more intentional giving plan, rather than only responding to spontaneous requests. It might mean shifting some of your giving to better align with what you care most about today. It might even mean giving less in one area so you can give more in another that has become more meaningful.

What has changed for us at On Purpose Financial?

As we mark five years as On Purpose Financial Management, we are asking ourselves many of these same questions. We are reflecting on what has changed in our clients’ lives and in the world over the last five years, what is most important to the families we serve today, and how our planning, investing, and communication should evolve over the next five to ten years to serve those priorities well. 

Taking stock of where we started and where we are going helps us refine how we work, how we show up for clients, and how we stay aligned with our own purpose as a firm. 

You do not have to answer these questions alone

These questions are not a test, and there are no perfect answers. They are a way of making sure your goals for 2027 match the real story of your life right now.

If you would like a partner to walk through these reflections, organize your thoughts, and connect them to a concrete financial plan, that is exactly the kind of work we do.

You can start a conversation with our team at onpurposefinancial.com.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice. Material Prepared by Tic Tac Toe Marketing, an independent third party. Any opinions are those of the author, are subject to change without notice and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. This material is being provided for information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material and does not constitute a recommendation. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or a loss regardless of strategy selected. Neither Raymond James Financial Services nor any Raymond James Financial Advisor renders advice on tax or legal issues, these matters should be discussed with the appropriate professional.