Sunday, February 7, 2016

What is Financial Planning?

Financial Planning is a comprehensive evaluation of an individual's current pay and future financial state by using current known variables to predict future income, asset values and withdrawal plans.This often includes a budget which organizes an individual's finances and sometimes includes a series of steps or specific goals for spending and saving in the future. This plan allocates future income to various types of expenses, such as rent or utilities, and also reserves some income for short-term and long-term savings. A financial plan is sometimes referred to as an investment plan, but in personal finance a financial plan can focus on other specific areas such as risk management, estates, college, or retirement.


The Benefits of Financial Planning?

Financial Planning provides direction and meaning to your financial decisions. It allows you to understand how each financial decision you make affects other areas of your finances. For example, buying a particular investment product might help you pay off your mortgage faster or it might delay your retirement significantly. By viewing each financial decision as part of the whole, you can consider its short and long-term effects on your life goals. You can also adapt more easily to life changes and feel more secure that your goals are on track. 

Common Mistakes in Financial Planning Approach?

The following are some of the common mistakes made by consumers in their approach towards Financial Planning.
    • Don't set measurable goals.
    • Make a financial decision without understanding its affect on other financial issues.
    • Confuse Financial Planning with investing.
    • Neglect to re-evaluate their Financial Plan periodically.
    • Think that Financial Planning is only for the wealthy.
    • Think that Financial Planning is for when they get older.
    • Think that Financial Planning is the same as retirement planning.
    • Wait until a money crisis to begin Financial Planning.
    • Expect unrealistic returns on investments.
    • Think that using a Financial Planner means losing control.
    • Believe that Financial Planning is primarily tax planning.