Monday 13 February 2017

Dos and Don’ts of Financial Planning

Good money habits are the key to financial independence. When you deal with money, you would not want to take any chances. You might do everything right with your money. Yet, you run out of luck when the financial need arrives. These basic dos and don’ts of financial planning could set you on the path to financial success.
Do’s
Identify Your Goals: 
Successful financial planning is dependent on the financial goals you set. It is necessary for you to know why you want to draw out a plan. Begin by asking yourself some straightforward questions. Why do you want to save money? What are your short-term and long-term responsibilities? What are your expectations from a retired life? Answers to these could give you a heads-up on your purpose for planning your finances.
Stick to Your Budget: 
Understand your current and future financial requirements. This will help you create a budget. However, sticking to the budget is important too! Cheating on a budget is as good as not having one. Know the difference between what you want and what you wish for.  Though you could treat yourself to little surprises once in a while, remember to spend less than what you earn.
Make The Right Investments: 
Investments are a favorable way to wealth creation. With a little caution, look at the ways to invest your money. Your investments could reap rewards if you choose where to place them. Try and identify what kind of investment suits your needs the best. Ask yourself how much and how often can you set aside money to invest. Can you afford a long-term investment? This could help you make right investments that suit your purpose.
Purchase Insurance: 
Money saved is equal to money earned. You can multiply your wealth, or save enough for the lean periods. Buying an insurance plan provides both savings and protection. If you do not have one, you could lose a substantial amount to uncertainty. In an emergency, the funds will have to come out of your savings. Some policies offer added benefits such as tax savings. Some could serve your financial goals along with adding to your wealth. These include retirement or pension plans that give you annuity benefits.
Don’ts
Procrastinate: 
Starting early has advantages. You must start financial planning as soon as you can. Delaying this decision will lead to lost opportunities. Starting early also prepares you to prioritize your responsibilities. In the long run, you will have more time by your side to save or to invest. Even if you make wrong decisions, you have time to rectify them. Additionally, you can handle risks better.
Refuse Financial Help:
Financial help does not mean accepting monetary help. That is debt. Financial help is taking financial assistance from a professional to plan better. If your planning efforts have not yielded results, it is alright to look for guidance. A finance advisor or a wealth manager is an expert who will analyze your goals. They could devise a robust plan for you to get to your financial goals.
Go On Credit:
It is easy to have a good time when someone else pays. However, this philosophy is not convenient if you want financial independence. Borrowing money on credit could force you to pay out of your savings later. You could start keeping a check on the number of times you swipe your card. You could also restrict borrowing to fund your passion. A debt can eat into your savings faster than you think.
Mishandle Your Money: 
Don’t abuse your money; respect it. You might want to stick to a few thumb rules. Do not leave extravagant amounts as tips. Avoid lending money. Remember to recover any money that you lend. Any money saved under the carpet does not earn interest. Have faith in the power of compounding and invest early. Every penny counts. Therefore, you should be careful in handling your money.
There isn’t a perfect list of dos and don’ts that work. When it comes to financial planning, different approaches work for different individuals. Yet, a more practical approach is likely to make financial planning a success.

#WealthyMantra
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