Taking the first step
It might not come as a surprise that I get a lot of questions about money. Planning your financial future can be an understandable source of confusion and fear, but it doesn’t have to be. While there are a lot of things to consider when talking about the nuts and bolts of financial health, if you start by taking a high-level approach to looking at your finances, it is pretty easy to understand what dials to turn to make the biggest impact.
I have found these sketches by Carl Richards to be some of the most helpful ways to de-mystify some general concepts about future financial health.
Knowing what you can control.
Our financial future, like most things in life, is dictated by a mixture of things we can control and things we can’t. And since we can’t do a lot about the things we can’t control, we will put our focus on the things we can. And of those things, Richards distinguishes between the things we can control and things that matter. It is in the intersection of these two areas, what we can control and what matters to us, that we should put our energy.
Looking for expertise.
A good financial planner can help you identify and plan for what lies at this intersection because what can be found here differs for each of us. A good planner can help you explore what a “rich life” means to you and develop a pathway for you to get there. They can also help you to avoid some big financial pitfalls and help you avoid mistakes that can impact the things that you find most important about your current and future financial decisions.
Let the experts be the experts
Just as I’d refer someone with concern about tooth pain to seek professional dental care, I’d recommend a dentist with concern about their financial future to seek advice from a trusted financial advisor. And, hey… I happen to know a guy.
Ready to learn more? Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you.