When I tell people that I am a financial planner, they typically understand the idea of what a financial planner does but a follow-up question usually ensues. “What does that look like for someone like me?” The truth is that a financial plan isn’t just 50 pages of instructions for you to go home and implement on your own. Instead, it is a process that takes place over the course of several meetings to change and evolve over time. Here is what you can expect while working with Beyond Balanced Financial Planning.
Organize
The first step takes somewhat of a commitment from you (unless you’re already organized) as we need you to gather as much information as possible. This includes all of your financial accounts including bank accounts, investment accounts, college savings, and the list goes on. It also requires gathering documents for insurance policies, outstanding debts, and any documents for estate planning.
Once we know where you stand and you’re organized, we can really begin moving forward with a plan to reach your goals. We’ll take a look at what you’re doing right, and we’ll examine where we need to make adjustments in order to achieve what you want with your money.
Goal Setting
Now that the hard part is over, this is where you begin to set the goals that you want for your family, your money, your life! You’re putting it out there and it’s no longer an idea that you have floating around your head with all of your other good ideas. We’re going to write it down, discuss it with our spouse or other family members, and we’re going to analyze the numbers to discover the best way to get you there.
Outlining a Strategy
We heard you when you said you wanted to retire by 52 and fully fund Suzie’s college! Regardless of what your goals really are, we help you prioritize and give you tangible numbers and timeframes so you know exactly what you need to do in order to reach your goals. We will help you in areas such as:
- Managing your cash flow and budgeting
- The best place to save your money
- How to invest to reach your goals
- How to best repay your debts
- and so much more!
Implementation & Accountability
Now that a plan is in place, along with a strategy to reach your goals, we want to ensure you put that plan into action! Over the course of 2 to 4 additional meetings a year, we are going to help you check those action items off your list. That may include helping you open the right accounts, rolling over old accounts that need to be invested, or helping you maximize your employee benefits to meet your needs. Having that accountability partner means that you will always have someone behind you encouraging you to stay on track but one that you can always consult and bounce ideas off of.
Reviewing
Life isn’t static and neither is your financial plan. We’ll periodically review, and adjust as needed, to ensure your strategy is still in line with your goals. Over time your income may change, family structures change, or several other countless changes can happen which in turn change your needs and wants.
As a financial planning firm, we don’t just put a plan together and walk away. We are here to collaborate, offer counsel, coach, and be your cheerleader to celebrate successes.
