Financial Planning Explained

When you go to the bank, unit trust or insurance company, financial planning seems to be the new buzzword among customers, clients and people in the finance field. But, what IS financial planning, actually? Is it strictly for the rich or people who have money to invest? Or is it for those who want to buy insurance and unit trusts?

The truth is that whoever has financial challenges to solve or financial goals to achieve needs financial planning. Regardless of how much money you are making, financial planning will help you achieve both greater wealth and financial security. Inadequate or poor financial planning can obviously lead to unimaginable financial disasters like nightmares come true.

For instance, an uninsured loss can wipe out all your accumulated wealth. Insufficient savings for retirement can force one into a reduced, low lifestyle or even worse, the postponement of retirement and many other financial catastrophes that are far too depressing to be named!

So in a nutshell, financial planning involves taking a broad view of one’s financial affairs covering many areas of wealth management and then going through a step-by-step process to solve financial problems and achieve financial goals.

Financial planning is also about making choices such as:

• Do I want to spend all my income today? Or should I save a portion of it?

• Should I clear all my debts right now? Or should I increase my savings for retirement instead?

• Should I plan for my child’s education? Or should I let him seek his own scholarship applications and apply for a student’s loan?

So, what is Included in Financial Planning? If you were to wonder what areas wealth management would cover, here are some examples:

• Cash flow management

This involves assessing your current net financial net worth (what you own minus what you owe). This will generally tell you whether you are on your way to financial freedom… or financial disaster.

• Investment planning.

Once you have determined the amount of money you would like to save, you should consider where to put your savings with the aim of receiving a higher return than your usual savings account.

Forget the 2% p.a. interests for saving. You need something more sophisticated than that! An investment strategy has to be mapped out so that you will have greater success in meeting your desired financial goals.

• Insurance planning

Insurance planning is required to in ensure that all your assets are protected and that your family members are well shielded by having sufficient insurance coverage.

• Tax planning

The subject of tax planning affects everyone who receives income, yet it is an area that is largely ignored or forgotten by most people. Therefore, this area involves strategies making the most under the local tax regime in the area of your income, stocks, real estate, and property.

• Retirement planning

You are not going to work your whole life, are you? When old age symptoms start to kick in or you have reached the mandatory retirement age, you will need to retire. Hence, having a retirement plan regardless of your age is essential!

• Estate planning

Having an estate plan or a will shall ensure that your wishes for the future are carried out. In addition, an estate plan or a will can provide financial security for your family, ensure your property is preserved and avoid dispute among family members.

All in all, an ideal financial plan does not focus on one aspect or product only, but it involves taking all areas of planning into consideration when making financial decisions.