Knowing Your Goals for an Effective Financial Future

It’s not uncommon for people of all ages to enlist the help of a Financial Planner; typically to help get their finances in order and prepare themselves for a comfortable future.

Most Financial Planners can help in a number of ways, including:

• Insurance options
• Investing for retirement
• Investment strategies
• Superannuation advice

In most cases, people will find their financial ambitions changing as they get older – and that’s why opting for a plan that reflects your lifestyle changes depending on your stage of life can be so beneficial.

20-35 year olds

At this time, you might be looking to focus on your career, buy your first home, enjoy a little travel, pay off your HECS/HELP debt, start a family, plan your business and set up a healthcare plan for your family.

36-50 year olds 

These years are often referred to as the consolidation stage, whereby you’ll want to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and prepare yourself for the future. Things on your mind could include healthcare, investing for your retirement, financing your home renovations and expansions, managing your tax and debt, handling any inheritance money, protecting your income and making arrangements for long-term care for a loved one if the need arises.

51-65 year olds

The pre-retirement stage of your life will undoubtedly be focused on a few key factors where your finances are concerned. These can include eliminating any debt that you have, protecting your family with proper healthcare, looking after your children financially, setting up wills and trust funds – and if you run a business, stepping away from it or passing it on to the next in line.

65+

Once you are officially retired, you’ll undoubtedly have many years ahead of you to enjoy your hobbies, protect your assets (including your home/s), travelling, giving financial gifts to your family, preserving your profits and capital gains and of course planning your estate for when you do pass on.

The main thing to remember is that as different as these life goals might be; ensuring that each is done properly can be the difference between a comfortable retirement and one where you struggle to make ends meet.

A Financial Planner won’t be able to foresee the future, but they can certainly help you to minimise your risks, and focus on favourable investing options to maximise your savings potential. Your Planner should be able to keep you up to date on the latest investment trends, the most current techniques for minimising expenses and a whole host of beneficial features that you simply wouldn’t be able to achieve on your own, or with greater difficulty.

Lindale Insurances Pty ltd ATF Lindale Insurances Trust ABN 27 027 421 832 is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Millennium3 Financial Services Pty Ltd AFSL 244252and ABN 61 094 529 987. This information (including taxation) is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances or needs. Do not act until you seek professional advice and consider a Product Disclosure Statement. For Australian Residents Only.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the author; they are not reflective or indicative of Millennium3. They cannot be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the author.