To ensure this dream doesn’t slip away, I’ve created a structured plan—a step-by-step approach to make it a reality.
Does this kind of rigid commitment make you uncomfortable? I get it. Fixing things in place can feel restrictive. And sometimes, too much rigidity kills motivation.
Does this kind of rigorous commitment put you off ?
I understand. To freeze is to immobilize. And immobility, sometimes, kills...
Wanting to freeze everything can stifle the desire to move forward.
So let’s keep it flexible. Think of this roadmap as a buffet. Take what suits you, skip what doesn’t, and come back for more whenever you’re ready.
Let’s move forward, steadily, one step at a time.
If you haven’t yet defined your financial goal, read this first :
How to set a clear and realistic savings goal ?
Curious about the CROFT challenge? Check out this post :
CROFT 35% – From bravery to savings : our financial future
How to reach your financial goal ?
I propose breaking down this journey into twelve key steps, one per month, covering essential personal finance topics. You can follow the plan month by month or select the topics that match your needs.
For each theme, I recommend three types of resources :
- A key book, to deepen and structure your understanding.
- Practical exercises, to take action and build better habits.
- A complementary resource, a podcast or video to diversify learning formats and reinforce comprehension.
Throughout the month, we’ll analyze these resources together in dedicated articles, discussing their value and extracting the best insights.
📌Laying the foundation
📆 Month 1: financial mindset and psychological foundations
What are our biases, fears, and beliefs? We will identify past behaviors that held us back and replace them with a more confident and rational approach.
- Book : The Richest Man in Babylon – George S. Clason.
- Exercises :
- Write down limiting beliefs about money, challenge them, and replace them with positive affirmations.
- Reflect on past financial behaviors (impulse spending, hoarding, fear of lack).
- Podcast : The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel.
📆 Month 2 : financial diagnosis & budgeting
A precise assessment of our finances to create a clear budget.
- Book : Your Money or Your Life – Vicki Robin.
- Exercises :
- List all sources of income and expenses from the last three months.
- Implement a revised 50/30/20 budget rule (with a savings goal).
- Choose a spending tracking tool.
- Tutorial : How to build a zero-based budget ?
📆 Month 3 : debt management
Reducing debt to regain financial control.
- Book : The Total Money Makeover – Dave Ramsey.
- Exercises :
- Identify and categorize all debts.
- Apply the avalanche method (paying high-interest debts first) or the snowball method (starting with the smallest debts).
- Reevaluate mortgage terms for cost optimization.
- Tool : Best debt repayment calculators.
📌Maximizing resources : save, optimize, invest
Identify concrete levers to maximize savings.
📆 Month 4 : optimizing savings
Reducing expenses without compromising quality of life.
- Book : The Millionaire Next Door – Thomas J. Stanley & William D. Danko.
- Exercises :
- Negotiate contracts (insurance, phone, utilities).
- Cancel unnecessary subscriptions.
- Adopt frugal habits: meal planning, second-hand shopping.
- Resources : Top podcasts on financial minimalism.
📆 Month 5 : building an emergency fund
Before investing, a solid financial cushion is essential.
- Book : I Will Teach You to Be Rich – Ramit Sethi.
- Exercises :
- Determine the right amount for your emergency fund.
- Open a dedicated savings account.
- Identify ways to accelerate savings (selling unused items, cutting specific expenses).
- Article : “11 Best Low-Risk Investments: Safest Options for 2025” (investopedia).
📆 Month 6 : investment basics
An introduction to how financial markets work.
- Book : The Little Book of Common Sense Investing – John C. Bogle.
- Exercises :
- Learn about ETFs and select a simple one.
- Invest a symbolic amount using an accessible platform.
- Track emotions related to investments to improve financial decision-making.
- Channel : “Zone Bourse" (youtube)
📌Diversifying and securing our strategies
📆 Month 7 : tax optimization
Study of tax optimization possibilities, in order to reduce our taxes in a legal and informed manner.
Maximize our income thanks to tax opportunities.
- Book : “Tax-Free Wealth” de – Tom Wheelwright.
- Exercises :
- Identify applicable tax deductions.
- Simulate tax returns to optimize taxation.
- Explore retirement and investment tax benefits.
- Tool : Tax deduction planning spreadsheet.
📆 Month 8 : risk management
Protecting our wealth and preparing for uncertainties.
- Book : « The Barefoot Investor » – Scott Pape.
- Exercises :
- Evaluate insurance needs.
- Diversify investments to mitigate risks.
- Develop an emergency action plan (job loss, market crash).
- Checklist : Preparing for financial emergencies.
📆 Month 9 : alternative investments
Exploring real estate, crypto, and other alternative assets.
- Book : « The Little Book of Alternative Investments » – Ben Stein.
- Exercises :
- Research alternative real estate investments.
- Experiment with small crypto purchases.
- Calculate rental property profitability.
- Tool : Best platforms for real estate investing.
📌 Securing the future and passing on knowledge
📆 Month 10 : long-term financial planning
Laying a solid foundation for future decades.
- Book : Money Master the Game – Tony Robbins.
- Exercises :
- Set financial goals for 5, 10, and 20 years.
- Create savings and investment strategies for each timeframe.
- Adjust our asset allocations.
- Tool : Financial projection calculator, recommandation.
📆 Month 11 : financial confidence and motivation
Share our achievements to better apply them.
- Book : Start With Why – Simon Sinek.
- Exercises :
- Align financial choices with core values.
- Maintain motivation and discipline.
- Documentary : « Inside Job » – Charles Ferguson.
📆 Month 12 : consolidation and celebration
Evaluate the past year, map out next steps and celebrate our successes.
- Book : Atomic Habits – James Clear.
- Exercises :
- Compare progress with initial goals.
- Identify wins and areas to improve.
- Adjust financial strategies for the next year.
- Final reward : virtual celebration ! 🎉
Join the croft 35% challenge !
No matter your starting point—beginner, intermediate, or just curious—this challenge will help you take control of your finances.
🎯 If you haven’t set your financial goal yet, start here.
Financial freedom is like chess, every move counts.
Are you ready to make your first move ? Let’s get started !