=What is a financial plan?
=Why is it important?
=How does it work?
=Is having a financial planner necessary?
Many questions come to mind when considering the topic of financial planning.
Let’s deep dive into the ocean of financial planning to address and answer all such questions.
-It is a comprehensive overview that identifies, organizes and prioritizes your financial goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them
-It lends some insight as to if you’re on track to meet your financial goals or if you need to make adjustments to your spending
-It’s a tool to evaluate one’s money situation with respect to income, spending, debt and saving
Presence of a financial plan provides structure, direction, and security, while lacking one can lead to financial instability and stress. Differences below can cast more light on the importance of having a financial plan versus not having one.
=With a financial plan, there is a clarity of financial goals that helps to allocate resources effectively whereas without it, spending of money can be haphazard due to lack of direction.
=With a financial plan, an investment strategy can be developed that aligns with your risk tolerance and long-term goals leading to more consistent and potentially higher returns just contrary to not having one that may result in random choices not aligning with your risk tolerance or goals, leading to suboptimal returns and increased risk.
=A financial plan keeps you prepared for an emergency thus providing financial stability in case of unexpected expenses or job loss whereas there can be a high risk of financial crises in the absence of reserve funds set aside for emergencies.
=A financial strategy ensures peace of mind that allows one to focus on other aspects of life unlike the absence of it that increases the chances of stress and anxiety impacting overall well-being due to lack of control on financial situation.
-Assessment of current financial situation:
Understand your cash flow by reviewing sources of income and tracking all expenses.
Determine your net worth by listing all assets and liabilities.
-Setting financial goals
Short- term goals: objectives to be achieved within a year or two such as paying off a small debt
Medium- term goals: targets for the next 3-5 years, like saving for a down payment on a house
Long-term goals: that span 5 years or more like retirement savings, paying off a mortgage
-Budgeting
Create a detailed budget that allocates income towards essential expenses, discretionary spending, and savings.
Track spending regularly to ensure adherence to the budget and make adjustments as necessary
-Debt management
Develop a plan to pay off existing debts
Avoid accumulating new high-interest debt by using credit wisely
-Savings and investment
Allocate funds towards savings and investment accounts based on your goals
Diversify investments to manage risk and aim for a balanced portfolio that aligns with your risk tolerance and time horizon
-Insurance and risk management
Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage (e.g., health, life, disability, home, auto) to protect against significant financial losses
Review and update insurance policies regularly to match your evolving needs
-Tax planning
Utilize tax-advantaged accounts and strategies to minimize tax liability
Plan for tax-efficient withdrawals from retirement accounts and investments
-Monitoring and review
Regularly review your financial plan to track progress towards your goals
Make adjustments to your plan based on changes in income, expenses, life circumstances, or financial goals
-Estate planning
Create or update your will, designate beneficiaries, and consider setting up trusts to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes
Plan for potential estate taxes and legal costs to protect your heir
While a large mass of people assume that self management of financial affairs is their cup of tea , they often feel overwhelmed when unexpected windfall gains or significant losses occur, leading to uncertainty about how to handle their funds during such times. A financial planner provides tailored advice and strategies to help clients manage their finances effectively, achieve their financial goals, and prepare for the future.
Here are some of the key ways in which a financial planner assists in financial management:
-Ensures comprehensive financial planning by evaluating your current financial status, including income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
-Assists in identifying and prioritizing financial goals, such as saving for retirement, buying a home, funding education, or starting a business.
-Helps in formulating a realistic budget that aligns with your income and financial goals.
-Designing an investment portfolio tailored to your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial objectives, asset allocation maintaining a balanced risk and return along with regular monitoring to reflect changes in the market and your financial situation.
-Facilitation in retirement planning by advising best retirement savings vehicles and developing strategies for withdrawing funds in retirement in a tax-efficient manner.
-Risk management and insurance planning becomes easy as financial planners assess the client’s insurance needs, including life, health, disability, and property insurance and recommend appropriate insurance policies to protect against significant financial losses.
-Strategizing estate planning that ensures that the assets are distributed according to wishes of the clients.
-Making recommendations on education funding in such a way that does not hamper other financial goals.
-Guidance on debt management that includes making strategies for paying off high-interest loans and credit cards and understanding the implications of different types of loans and credit.
-Finally and above all, conducting regular reviews to track progress towards goals and adjust plans as needed and reassessing financial plans in response to significant life changes such as marriage, divorce, childbirth, or job changes.
Best Planners Inc. can be your best decision to arrive at the best financial plan that works the best.
Book an appointment today to reach us at :
M +1 (416) 523-2821
P +1 (905) 454-6452
E info@bestplanner.ca
195 Queen St E, BRAMPTON
ON L6W 2B3, CANADA
www.bestplanner.ca
