Is there a financial milestones checklist I can follow by life stage?

Yes — thinking in milestones keeps you from missing big moves. In your 20s: open a Roth IRA, capture your 401(k) match, build an emergency fund, and avoid lifestyle creep. In your 30s: increase savings to 15%+, get term life and disability insurance, draft a will, and start college funding if you have kids. In your 40s: pay off consumer debt, max retirement accounts, and balance college versus retirement. In your 50s: use catch-up contributions and plan your Social Security and Medicare timing. In your 60s: build a cash cushion, decide when to claim, and update your estate plan. Each stage builds on the last. An annual review keeps the list current: wealthserene.com/assessments/annual-checkup.