Why Is Financial Planning Important?

Alina Myakota |
Categories
Personal Finance

Think of financial planning as your guiding compass to help you navigate crucial financial decisions and set the course for your future. We all aspire to secure the financial resources needed for a fulfilling and prosperous life, and the time to start planning for that future is right now.

Here, we've highlighted nine key areas where you may benefit from financial planning expertise:

  1. Cash Flow Management/Budgeting: As the age-old saying goes, "It's not what you make, but what you keep." High incomes don't always translate to financial security if spending exceeds earnings. Understanding your spending patterns and creating a budget are fundamental to financial success. Living comfortably within your means enables savings and investments, paving the way for your financial future.

  2. Tax Planning: The tax landscape is intricate and ever-evolving. Are you maximizing IRS credits and deductions? Is your investment strategy tax-efficient? Have you considered tax-loss harvesting to offset gains? If you're charitably inclined, could you leverage capital gains for donations?

  3. Retirement Planning: Few people make the most of retirement plans. Are you not only maximizing contributions to your workplace plan but also taking advantage of funding an IRA for both you and your spouse?

  4. Investment Strategy: Investing isn't a game of chance or reacting to stock tips and instincts. It's a disciplined, long-term process to construct a portfolio that aligns with your life's journey. Do you know your risk tolerance and the necessary level of risk to reach your financial objectives?

  5. Education Planning: If you're planning to financially support a loved one's college education, have you explored education savings plans, both in your state and nationwide? Not all 529 plans are created equal.

  6. Estate Planning: Have you put in place a will, health care power of attorney, and financial power of attorney? What about a preneed guardian for minor children?

  7. Retirement Timing and Expenses: Determining when to retire and how much to spend in retirement can be a complex process. Specialized expertise and advanced modeling software are essential for sound decision-making.

  8. Social Security Strategy: Making the right Social Security decisions is paramount, as you have limited chances to optimize your benefits. Many people claim benefits prematurely and often fail to consider the impact on spousal benefits and joint lifetime benefits.

  9. Risk Management: Risks abound in life, but they can be mitigated, minimized, or transferred to insurance companies for a fee. Purchasing insurance demands an informed consumer.

Professional athletes have coaches to continually elevate their performance for a reason. Financial planning serves as your coach to help you improve your financial game and make informed decisions along your journey. To get started on your financial journey, schedule a meeting with us today!