Financial Planning
Why Financial Planning?
Creating a personalized financial plan can help you see the big picture, helping you set better long-term and short-term life goals.
Covering all your bases is a crucial step in mapping out your financial future.
Good Financial Decision Making Can Be Difficult
In today's uncertain economy, financial planning has become increasingly important. With an overwhelming number of options for saving and investing, good financial decision making can be difficult.
When you keep your financial plan current, it is easier to make good financial decisions and stay on track to meet your goals. Your planner can use your plan models to examine problems and opportunites and give you good advice as it is needed.
Some people decide to do their own financial planning
You may want to seek help from a Certified Financial Planner™ professional if you:
- - Want to improve your finances, but aren't sure where to start
- Don't have time to do your own financial planning
- Want a professional opinion about the plan you've developed
- Don't have sufficient expertise in certain areas such as investments, insurance, taxes or retirement planning
- Have an immediate need or unexpected life event
6 Steps to Help You Create a Financial Plan
From start to finish, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional can take you through the steps of the financial planning process to help you achieve your financial goals.
- David W. Smith, CFP® CHFC® CPFA®
1. Establish a Relationship with a CFP® Professional
Your professional will listen as you describe your concerns. Together you will determine if you are a good fit and how your needs can be met. He will explain his/her financial planning services, history, etc., and summarize the scope of expected work. She will outline the information needed to proceed. Together, you can agree upon expectations, time frame, etc. He will explain how he is compensated, time required to complete the work and next steps.
2. Gather your Data and Develop your financial goals
You and your CFP® professional will meet to talk about your current financial situation fully and gather any necessary documents. Together, you'll define your personal and financial goals, including timeframes. You may also want to discuss your comfort level when it comes to taking financial risks, ability to save for important goals, etc.
3. Analyze and evaluate your financial status
Your CFP® professional will consider all aspects of your situation to determine where you are now relative to your goals, and what you need to meet those goals. Depending on services requested, your planner may analyze:
- your assets
- liabilities
- cash flow
- current insurance coverage
- investments or tax strategies.
4. Review your CFP® Professional's Recommendations
Your CFP® professional will go over his financial recommendations, explaining the rationale so you can make informed decisions. At this stage, your planner will also listen to any concerns you may have and revise his recommendations if necessary.
5. Implement your CFP® Professional's recommendations
Together, you will examine options and determine how the agreed upon recommendations will be carried out. Your CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional may carry out the recommendations himself or serve as your coach.
6. Monitor & benchmark your progress against the financial goals you have established
As you work towards your goals, you and your CFP® professional will need to decide who will accept the duty to monitor your progress to make sure you're staying on track. If the planner is in charge, he'll check in from time to time, reviewing your situation and making any necessary adjustments to his recommendations.