It's important to set clear goals and track your progress. Talk to your adviser if you have any concerns about how your investments are performing.
Am I on track to reach my goals?
It's one thing to set goals. It's another to reach them. Many investors get off course because they don't track their progress. When you look at your statement, think about your goals and how close you are to reaching them. Will you have enough saved to buy that new car? Will you have enough money when you retire?
For example, let's say you and your spouse want to save $10,000 in the next 5 years for a down payment for a home. A regular review of your goals when checking your statement is particularly valuable for this kind of goal. You worry less about short-term downturns if you can see the big picture. At the same time, if you see that you are falling too far behind at any point, you can take steps to get back on track.
