Different people and cultures believe different things for the answer to this question. The meaning of life as we perceive it is derived from philosophical and religious contemplation of, and scientific inquiries about existence, social ties, consciousness, and happiness.
A long-term financial plan should include these elements. Time Horizon. A plan should look at least  five to ten years into the future. Scope. A plan should consider all appropriated funds, but especially those funds that are used to account for the issues of top concern to elected officials and the community. Frequency.
Time horizons are most commonly expressed in years. For example, if a 40-year-old person is considering retiring at age 65, the time horizon for retirement planning would be 25 years. Most advisors would recommend a more aggressive portfolio at the beginning of an investment with a time horizon of this length, as it is generally considered long-term investing.