There is a HUGE misconception out there that only the rich use financial advisors. The truth is that anyone at an any age can benefit from professional financial advice and the great news is that there are many options for you to choose from when it comes to the level of service you’re looking for.
When I became a young investor, I had very little in assets, so I know first-hand that you don’t have to be wealthy to start creating a solid financial plan. In fact, the reason I started investing was because I wanted straight teeth! Yes, orthodontia was my inspiration. My investment dream then blossomed into wanting to visit family in England and I knew that it would take more than just wishing; I’d need to be proactive in working toward that goal.
Those might seem like simple objectives, but saving for them educated me on goal planning, saving money consistently, and being able to save for a variety of aspirations. That experience also taught me that good financial planning can benefit everyone – no matter where they are in life.
What Exactly IS Financial Planning?
Financial Planning provides a second opinion and a neutral party to help you review your situation and give objective, clear advice without the emotion that you might be feeling. The topic of money often brings up a variety of feelings: perhaps childhood memories (good or bad) or a belief system which simply needs a few adjustments.
Many families don’t discuss finances openly and therefore most of us haven’t established a healthy financial life, which is something that can affect our futures and our relationships.
Have You Experienced This?
If you’re thinking that the problem you have with your finances is unique and unsolvable, I assure you that’s probably not true. One of the most common stressors is the lack of an emergency fund and that many households are living paycheck-to-paycheck. If you’re one of those people, imagine how much better you would feel if you could solve that problem.
But you might not have the tools you need to do it. And that’s where a financial advisor can step in. I’ve had many people in my office throughout the years who have told me they were afraid to ask me questions about their financial picture because they felt they didn’t have “enough,” or they simply didn’t know where to begin. I understand that because we’ve all experienced that “embarrassed” feeling when seeking out the advice of an expert.
That’s why it’s important that CWS establishes a level of comfort that allows clients to contact us with any questions they have. Money conversations can be filled with shame and embarrassment and I want prospective clients to come into my office and feel no judgement, no expectations. I want people to openly share their life experience with money as a starting point to build their Financial Roadmap.
Building a Financial Roadmap Together
The good news is that financial advisors set their fees in a variety of ways, so there are lots of options for you to choose from. However, if you’re a new investor, many times you can hire an advisor to build a Financial Roadmap for you for a set fee that will get you started down the right path.
Everyone has their own individual history when it comes to money. Some people are inspired by the financial strength of their parents, whereas others are quite petrified that they will be in a bad way (like their parents).
We love helping new investors start off strong at the beginning of their careers and we’re often asked by newly married couples to help them understand their financial future. If the desire for good financial habits and the hope of a stable financial future is something you can relate to, then you’re the perfect financial planning client!
Debbie Charpentier has been serving clients since 1989 by using a holistic, comprehensive approach that helps clients create the life they value and the legacy they envision. Charpentier Wealth Strategies is a Bakersfield, CA Financial Planning practice that offers fee-based financial planning services. To contact Debbie, email Debbie.Charpentier@LFG.com. http://charpentierwealth.com/ Debbie Charpentier is a registered representative offering securities and investment advisory services through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., (Member SIPC). Charpentier Wealth Strategies is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors. CRN3000954-031820