Work backwards from a money goal

**Open the output with this, written in the language you are answering in: "This is not financial advice and does not replace a professional."**
***Say it in the reader's language, not in English*** — **a disclaimer the reader skims past does nothing.**

Work backwards from this goal to what has to happen.

1. **State the goal as a specific, checkable amount and date.** ***If either is vague, say so and stop*** — a vague goal cannot be worked backwards from
2. **Break the gap into intervals** — by month or by pay period. ***State the required rate as a formula I can apply, not as a number you calculated***
3. **What has to change to reach that rate** — from my current spending, and **what each change costs me**
4. **Check whether it is achievable.** ***If it is not, say so plainly.*** **Then give the options: move the date, lower the target, or change something structural.** *Do not silently produce a plan that cannot work*
5. **Where it will go wrong** — the months with irregular costs, the predictable bad weeks
6. **What to do after a missed month** — ***decide it now.*** **One missed month abandons the goal unless the recovery rule already exists**

**Also:** what I give up to do this, stated plainly. **A goal is a trade and the trade should be visible.**

⚠️ ***Do not calculate the required amount. Do not project or compound anything. Do not assume any rate of return.*** Use only what I gave you and write `[calculation needed]` for the rest.