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Client Goal Setting Worksheet: Emergency Savings and Credit Rebuilding

Turns your session notes into a clear worksheet the client can take home.

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Before and after

BEFORE · what the owner typed

Input from the counselor: "client Desmond E. came in thurs. take home about 3,150 a month, he drives for a delivery co so it varies some but the 3,150 is his low avg. rent 1,200, utilities 210, groceries 480, car ins 165, gas 220, phone 70, min payments total 310 (2 cards + a car loan is separate, 395 car payment). I forgot to add the car payment above. savings is 140. he had 2 late payments on the Visa last spring, caught up now. one collection account for a medical bill, 380, hes not sure its right. wants a cushion bc his car broke down in Jan and he put it on a card. I want 1 month of essentials as first goal then work toward 3 months. next mtg Mar 14. he said he's embarrassed about the collection."

AFTER · what the skill produced

Goal Worksheet for Desmond E.
Prepared with your counselor. Next meeting: March 14.

Where You Are Today

Monthly take-home income (low average): $3,150
Monthly essentials:
- Rent: $1,200
- Utilities: $210
- Groceries: $480
- Car insurance: $165
- Gas: $220
- Phone: $70
- Credit card minimum payments: $310
- Car payment: $395
- Total: $3,050
Left over each month: $100
Current savings: $140

You are not behind for having this conversation. You came in and made a plan, and that is the hard part.

Goal 1: Build Your Emergency Cushion

Your first milestone is one month of essentials, which is $3,050.
Your full goal, which we will work toward after that, is 3 months of essentials, which is $9,150.
Right now there is about $100 a month left over. We recommend putting $100 a month into savings to start.
At $100 a month, from your $140 now, the first milestone of $3,050 would take about 30 months. That is a long road, so we also recommend finding more room together.
Ideas to look at at our next meeting: trimming groceries or gas by a small amount, and setting aside a set share of any good delivery weeks. Any extra you add shortens the time.
A smaller starting step you can reach sooner: $500 saved. At $100 a month, that is about 4 months from $140 (4 months brings you to $540).

Goal 2: Rebuild Your Credit Habits
In order:

Pay every bill on time each month. Set reminders or autopay for at least the minimums. Owner: Desmond. Check at each meeting.
Keep the Visa current. You caught up after the late payments last spring, and keeping it current is the most important thing to protect. Owner: Desmond.
Get your credit reports and look at the $380 medical collection account. Check that the account and the amount are correct. Owner: Desmond gets the reports, and your counselor reviews them with you on March 14.
If the collection looks wrong, we will talk about how to dispute it. If it is correct, we will talk about your options. If a lawsuit or legal notice ever arrives, contact an attorney.
Once the $500 starter savings is in place, we will look at paying down the card balance from the January car repair.

Check-In Dates

March 14: bring your credit reports and your last month of delivery earnings. Review the collection account and the budget.
Each month: check that savings went in and every bill was paid on time.

If Something Goes Wrong

If a slow month hits, pay essentials first (rent, utilities, food, insurance, car payment), then call your counselor before you miss any payment.
If an unexpected bill comes up, use savings first, then call us so we can adjust the plan.

My Reason
Why this matters to me: ______________________________

Notes for the counselor to confirm before handing this over

Confirm Desmond's real low-month income and whether the $3,150 holds up.
Confirm local rules and current official guidance on disputing collection accounts and on how long items stay on a report before you discuss them with him.
The first milestone timeline is long at $100 a month. Consider whether a different first target fits better.

What it does

Turns your session notes into a clear worksheet the client can take home. It sets a starting emergency savings goal and a credit rebuilding plan, with small monthly steps and check-in dates, all based on the numbers the client gave you.

Use it when: Use when a credit counselor needs to turn session notes or a client's budget details into a goal setting worksheet for emergency savings and credit rebuilding, such as "make a goals worksheet for this client," "write up their savings and credit plan," or "set goals for my 2 o'clock."