Life Stage Planning
An evolving financial plan for an evolving life
Financial planning can be a lot like growing a garden. You plant the seeds to get it started, but then it requires attention and care to make the seeds grow. Along the way, you may encounter unexpected events that change the way you care for it.
The same holds true for planning for your financial future. Events in various stages of your life can affect your long-term wealth accumulation strategy, including:
- Getting married or divorced
- Having children
- Owning a business
- Buying a home
- Caring for an aging parent
When you are creating your financial plan, it’s important to understand that it’s not a one-time event but an ongoing process. Any time you experience a life stage event, it’s a good idea to review your financial plan and make changes as needed.
The bottom line
You need an effective plan for setting money aside for the future. You need a plan that adjusts along with your life stage yet stays consistent with your investment objectives and financial goals, which may include:
- Preparing for retirement
- Living well in retirement
- Paying for college
- Charitable giving
- Being on your own later in life
Whether you’re working with a Financial Professional or managing your financial plan on your own, it’s important to be flexible and know that sometimes, plans change.
