Retirement goes hand-in-hand with financial planning and investment. This is because managing and growing your money properly is key to achieving your financial goals and fulfilling your desires. Whether you prioritize exploring your interests or enjoying more time with your family after quitting work for good, here are the four steps you should take to fund all expenses during your retirement:
Step #1: Create a Comprehensive Financial Planning
A comprehensive financial plan serves as your roadmap to attaining your financial goals. While it doesn’t necessarily have to be carved in stone, it is the perfect starting point that forecasts your money flow.
When creating a financial plan, consider what type of lifestyle you want to live during retirement, who are your dependents, how long you might live, and which assets you want to pass on to family and friends. These factors will help you gain a broad perspective and create strategies that will put your plan into motion.
Your financial plan must contain forecasts, assumptions, and expected results. Over time, don’t forget to update it based on the changes in your life.
Step #2: Develop Strategies and Specific Investment Tactics
Create strategies based on your financial goals. For instance, if you prioritize avoiding costly hospital bills, consider securing health insurance coverage as soon as possible. Another effective tactic to save money is to refinance your mortgage to attain lower rates and monthly payments.
It’s also important to create specific tactics that can be considered as executable action items. Depending on your goals, they can be carried out by other professionals, such as your mortgage broker, tax accountant, or estate attorney.
Step #3: Implement the Right Plan in Working with a Financial Advisor or Planner
Before investing, determine your goals and consider your age, risk appetite, and desired investment amount. Investing can be tricky for inexperienced investors. If you are unsure how to get started, consider working with a financial advisor who can help you make the right investment decisions.
Step #4: Monitor How Changing Conditions Affects Financial Planning
Your financial plan that used to work years ago might not be effective today. This is especially true if you experience many life changes. A death in the family, a job change, and a new child are major events that might cause changes in financial priorities and demand adjustments in your financial plan.
Additionally, the financial planning process does not end as soon as you are done investing. The funds must be checked regularly to ensure they are performing as expected. To ensure your strategies are still useful in attaining your financial goals, monitor and evaluate the changing conditions and re-balance your accounts as needed with a certified financial planner.
Conclusion
Just because your retirement may be several decades in the future does not mean you shouldn’t worry about it right now. Remember that anything can happen at any time. This is why it’s wise to prepare ahead, and the best time to plan for a comfortable retirement is as early as today. To ensure you have adequate funds for retirement and enjoy peace of mind, follow this guide with help from a fee-only financial planner.
Take a step closer toward your desired retirement by working with CALAMITA WEALTH MANAGEMENT. Our financial planners and financial advisors in Charlotte NC can help protect you from financial uncertainties through comprehensive financial plans tailored to your needs and goals. Schedule a consultation today!
