You make vacation plans, birthday plans, and meal plans. So why not a financial plan? A financial plan is a road map to guide you to achieving your financial goals. The problem is we spend more time planning for a vacation than we do for our finances.
Should You Use a Financial Planner?
You can certainly go it alone when it comes to managing your money. But you could also try to do it yourself when it comes to auto repair. In both areas, doing it yourself is a brilliant idea for some, and a flawed plan for many, many others. Mastering personal finance requires many hours of research and learning. For most, it’s not worth the time and ongoing effort. As you get older, busier and (it is hoped) more wealthy, your financial goals – and options – get more complicated. A financial helper can save you time.
Financial planners can also help you remain disciplined about your financial strategies. They’ll make the moves for you or badger you until you make them yourself. Procrastination can cause all sorts of money problems or unrealized potential, so it pays to have someone riding you to stay on track.
We’re not suggesting that you ignore personal finance and turn over all your concerns to an adviser. But even if you know the basics, it’s a comfort to know that you have someone keeping watch over your money.
It may sound crazy to give someone a percentage of your annual assets to manage them, but you get a buffet of advice about almost anything related to personal finance. The price becomes sensible when you consider that you’re paying to establish a comfortable retirement, save for your child’s college or choose the right home loan when borrowing lakhs of rupees.
A Financial Plan will:
Give you a clear picture of where you are right now in your finances. You will no longer be at a loss.
Help you have a direction for your financial future and prioritize your goals. You can more control over your money and your life.
Make sure you are adequately protected from the risk of catastrophic loss of income, property, health, and life. You will not be like most people who lose everything they have because they were not prepared.
Help in managing your debt and in getting out of your financial burden. You will break your bondage from debt and start your road to financial freedom.
Give you options in funding your children’s education. You can make sure your children will get the best education.
Guide you in preparing for a comfortable retirement and in building your wealth. You can enjoy the lifestyle and health care you want without being dependent on your children and relatives.
Help you set aside money regularly for investing for your future goals. You can be assured you will be getting good returns for the appropriate level of risk.
