Financial planning is more than just keeping a budget, paying off debt, and saving up for retirement. If it were that simple, there wouldn’t be a huge industry of professionals devoted to helping us with our taxes, insurance, and debt. When children are growing we teach them things about money management that will serve them well the rest of their lives: save your money, don’t buy on credit, buy low and sell high.
But sometimes our finances are more complicated than that and we need help. That’s where a Certified Financial Planner comes into the picture. It used to be that only very wealthy people could afford to hire someone to give them comprehensive advice that was unmotivated by the prospects of commissions. In response to this gap, the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. was formed, providing professionals with a certification process that ensures that their clients will receive unbiased and informed advice.
Certified Financial Planners are unique in this industry because in order to keep the right to use this designation, they must agree to follow a fee-based model for financial planning, rather than accepting commissions on financial products they sell. This means you can be confident that if they recommend a financial product to you, it is because they believe it to be the best choice for you.
The Benefits of Financial Planning:
Reduces financial stress
Knowing that your financial future has been planned by a professional who is looking out for you can greatly reduce your stress regarding finances. The last thing you want is to be stressed out and distracted when your children need your time and attention.
Emergency planning for your family
Do you spend time wondering if your family could handle a financial emergency? Certified Financial Planners take extra care to make sure you are covered financially should an emergency strike. They can advise you on how best to plan for such emergencies, allowing you to have the confidence of knowing that your family will be secure if the unthinkable happens.
Maximizes your ability to save for goals
If you have financial goals that you are saving up for, a Certified Financial Planner can help you maximize your savings and achieve your goals in a way that is realistic and financially savvy.
Customized retirement planning
Rather than relying on your bank, or on the generalized advice you can find online and in books, a Certified Financial Planner can make sure your specific needs are planned for. When your children are adults and saving for their own retirements, you can all relax knowing that they won’t have to support you in your old age. It’s one of the best financial gifts you can give them.
Customized insurance planning
Insurance is not a one-size-fits-all industry, and with prices and payouts varying widely, a Certified Financial Planner can help you find the insurance that meets your needs without draining your accounts. Should something happen, you can rest easy knowing that you have the best insurance for you.
Set a good example for your kids
This is the most important of the benefits you can gain from seeking help from a Certified Financial Planner. By making such a smart decision, and following through on the planning advice you are given, you will have set a good example for your children.
Want to Know More?
To learn more about Certified Financial Planners and the planning process, go to The National Association of Personal Financial Planners.
To find a financial planner in your area, go here.