Get real…in our new financial world!
“You can’t handle the truth. You want me on that wall!” Jack Nicholson A Few Good Men
Inflation. War. Higher interest payments. Higher tax payments. Lower investment returns. Job hopping. Expiration of stimulus payments. Too much debt. Wanting what others have without the resources to pay for it. Increasing longevity.
Are you ready?
While many people do a good job living within their means and saving for the future, many others have unrealistic expectations and need to get real!
Our world may become increasingly more volatile and difficult to make ends meet now and in the in future. Those who will survive and prosper must have a plan and a process in place to rise above the noise and prepare for themselves and the people and causes they care about to develop the necessary resources to take care of their financial business.
It all starts with a tailored financial planning process.
Financial planning is truly a process that takes time, energy, and transparency. We have outlined our planning process below, but the most important aspect of financial planning, in our opinion, is that each individual and family will drive what this process will look and feel like for them. Some know exactly what answers they are looking for and what help they need. While others are not sure what to expect from the financial planning process and look to a professional planning team to help drive the conversation. The one part of the process that is universal to each client family is to take the time to visit among and stakeholders and with your planning team to ask questions, listen, and understand how the process related your goals in life.
To develop a solid financial plan, it's important to cover all your bases.
Here’s how:
- Examining your current situation
- Setting financial goals
- Measuring your progress.
From start to finish, whether you do it yourself, or with the help of a qualified team of financial professionals, go through each step of the financial planning process to help you achieve your financial goals. Experienced financial professionals have been through this process before.
5 Steps to Help You Create a Financial Plan
1. Gather your data and develop your financial goals
You, your stakeholders and team will talk about your current financial situation 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.
2. Analyze and evaluate your financial status
Consider all aspects of your situation to determine what you need to do to meet your goals. Analyze your assets, liabilities and cash flow, current insurance coverage, investments, or tax strategies. And…get real about goals and resources.
3. Review your recommendations
You and your stakeholders individually, or with your planning team, should go over all financial recommendations, explaining the rationale so you can make informed decisions. At this stage, you, your stakeholders, and your planning team will also evaluate any concerns you may have and revise recommendations if necessary.
4. Implement your recommendations
You and your team will need to agree on how the recommendations will be carried out. Your team may carry out the recommendations and/or serve as your coach, coordinating the process with you and other professionals, like attorneys or other financial advisors.
5. Benchmark your progress against the financial goals you established
As you work towards your goals, you and your planning professionals will need to decide who will monitor your progress to make sure you're staying on track. If your planning team is in charge, they will check in from time to time, reviewing your situation and making any necessary adjustments. If you do it yourself…hold yourself accountable!
You and all the people in your world need to make sure you are being realistic!
You may want a good planning team on that wall!
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Let us know how we may help…and be realistic!