Tax time is the best time to start planning financially for the future. And this is where a financial planner comes in. Hiring a certified professional can help you better reach your financial goals throughout your life. Though they may not seem financially-oriented at first, many of your goals are likely related to finances: saving for retirement, purchasing a home, helping your children attend college, or starting your own business. A good financial planner can help you to reach those goals by setting up a financial plan.
Keep in mind; it’s important to find a financial planner whose expertise matches your situation and needs. Before you begin working together, be sure you understand what it will cost — both directly, in fees, and indirectly, in commissions.
Find a financial planner that understands you
Almost everyone needs some financial planning. Many people find it all too easy to put off planning for years, even up to retirement when they suddenly find there isn’t enough money. You might know your financial goals, such as buying a new home or paying for your child’s college or university education, but you may not know how to meet those goals.
A financial planner can help with:
- planning for taxes
- planning for private school or post-secondary education
- managing your insurance
- planning your retirement
- planning your estate
- planning your investments
In addition to a written financial plan, an adviser may offer other services such as income tax preparation, investment management, and insurance sales. Depending on your financial situation, you may need a financial planner to advise you not only in setting your financial goals but also in helping you put your plan into action.
Working together on your financial plan
A planner will work with you to examine your current financial situation and suggest a plan to help you meet your financial goals. The planner might set up a series of meetings with you to gather information, help you define your goals, and provide written recommendations on financial strategies. You’ll want to understand what it will cost — both directly, in fees, and indirectly, in commissions — before you begin working with a financial planner.
Other tips:
- Clarify your financial situation. A financial planner will help you look carefully at your current finances. He will help you list your assets (what you have) and liabilities (what you owe). Your planner will most likely ask you for tax returns, securities records, insurance policies, and other papers to help determine your net worth (what you have minus what you owe).
- Identify goals. Next, the planner will want to understand your personal and financial goals. She will ask if you wish to save for a special vacation, help support ageing parents, reduce your debt, plan for a child’s education, or save and invest for retirement.
- Identify roadblocks. After understanding your goals, the planner will work with you to figure out what roadblocks might keep you from meeting your goals. These might include investments that don’t provide sufficient yield; lack of insurance to protect your home, savings, or income; or spending habits that are pushing you into debt.
- Create a plan. The planner will create a written plan outlining how you can meet your goals. The plan will include types of investments and insurance products, suggestions for budgeting, and a time frame for achieving short- and long-term goals.
- Implement the plan. You may implement the plan yourself or have the planner help you choose and purchase appropriate investment and insurance products.
It’s a good idea to meet with your planner each year to review your progress toward your goals and revise the plan accordingly. You should also talk with your planner whenever your personal or economic situation changes, for example, due to marriage, divorce, having children, health changes, an inheritance, unanticipated significant changes in income or expenses, or a change in your financial goals.
It’s a good idea to meet with your planner each year to review your progress toward your goals and revise your plan accordingly.
