As Financial Planners, the way we work is different from many Financial Advisers.
Financial planning is an ongoing process, designed to help you make sensible decisions about money that can help you achieve your goals in life; it’s not just about buying financial products, such as a pension or an ISA.
It might involve putting appropriate wills in place to protect your family; thinking about how your family will manage without your income should you fall ill or die prematurely; or spending money differently. The key is that financial planning involves considering all these things together; their benefits, knock-on effects, consequences and repercussions.
We create a sound financial plan in six steps:
- Establish your goals in life – short, medium and long term
- Work out what assets and liabilities you have – your current financial situation
- Evaluate your current financial position – how close are you to achieving your goals?
- Develop your plan – creating a “route map” for achieving your goals
- Implement your plan – making the recommended changes
- Monitor and review your plan at least yearly – making adjustments when needed
Start by working out your goals in life, in the short, medium and long term. Prioritise them, and think about the likely cost of those goals and when you will need the money, so you can start to plan your finances to work out how to achieve them. Don’t forget you also have to plan for some of the hurdles you may have to overcome too.
It’s about getting organised; being in control of your finances, rather than letting your finances control you.
By planning your finances to meet your goals, you will:
- Have much greater confidence in relation to your financial and life goals
- Reduce your stress levels and start to enjoy life more
- Gain control and peace of mind through knowing whether you’re on track for the future you want for you and your family