How to Get The Most Out of Your Financial Planner

It’s a 2-Way Street

All financial planners are not created equal. And it’s important to find one that you feel comfortable with to get the most out of the experience. By finding the right financial planner, there’s a greater chance of you heading on your way to a financial future you’ve only dreamed of.

Once you find the right one, there’s things you can do as well to ensure the experience is everything you need it to be.

Be Open – Share Your Hopes and Dreams

One of the most important aspects of heading down the road of financial planning is finding a planner you trust and can be open with.

The right financial planner will really get to know you. They will ask questions about your business if you have one, your goals (financial, personal and professional), your current money concerns, your plans for retirement and much more. Sounds a little nosey, right? Well, this kind of information forms the basis of any good advice. Because what’s important to you, is important to the process. And the best outcome is developing an investment strategy that gives you all that and more.

A great financial planner will treat this process holistically – because our finances are inextricably linked to so many other areas of our lives. And with this, it is vital to regularly review your financial strategy to ensure you remain focussed and on track and that it continues to meet your needs.

Prepare for Your Meeting

In the busy lives we lead, it’s easy to make the appointment and then suddenly find yourself remembering on the day that it’s been scheduled. You’ll get so much more out of the meeting if you prepare early and consider what you’re hoping to achieve from partnering with a financial planner. Early preparation doesn’t need to be onerous. Gather information about your current financial position and think about the goals you’d like to achieve.

The financial planning process isn’t just about your retirement. It’s also making sure that you get to realise your lifestyle potential along the way too. Break your goals down to short, medium, and long-term goals so that the financial planner can work out a strategy that helps to meet all of them.

There’s nothing worse than having an important question pop into your mind when your appointment is finished and you’re halfway to the car. It happens to the best of us. During your preparation, jot down any questions that come to mind, so you can get answers during your meeting.

How Much Risk Are You Comfortable With?

One of the most important aspects of your meeting with a financial planner will be a discussion about risk. To develop any investment strategy, the planner needs to know what level of risk you’re comfortable with.

Your comfort with risk is a major factor in any investment decision. And it’s a fine line when balancing your risk comfort to the outcomes you’re looking to achieve. If these two parameters are far removed from each other, we’ll work hard to determine the type of investment that will meet your needs and also allow you to sleep at night.

Seek Clarification

You may hear information that is completely new to you during this process. It is absolutely okay to ask questions and seek clarification. In fact, we welcome it.

We’re an open book and we want you to understand every bit of what we’re talking about. It’s the only way to remove the stress and worry that may come with new or unfamiliar investments. That’s why we welcome and will answer any question you have.

If you need clarity, or background information on investment options – ask away!

Participate in the Process

Gone are the days where financial planners just tell you what’s going to happen. It’s a two-way street and a collaborative process is the way to get the best outcome. It’s important to speak up if there is a part of the advice or financial plan you don’t feel happy or confident with.

And remember – You might receive the best financial advice ever, but it will only work if you’re willing to follow through with the required action.

Review

If there’s one thing we know in life – it’s that it constantly changes. And with this, a regular review of your financial circumstances and goals to required to ensure your financial strategy continue to meet your needs. This is not a ‘set and forget’ process. Engage in the review process to check if you’re on track to achieving your goals. And if you have a financial planner that doesn’t believe in a review process – we urge you to get a second opinion.

We believe that financial planning is a two-way street and we always want you to get the best outcome. Let us show you financial planning with a difference. Contact us today on 1300888803 or book an appointment here.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This blog has been prepared by Modoras Pty. Ltd. ABN 86 068 034 908 an Australian Financial Services and Credit Licences (No. 233209), located at Level 3, 50-56 Sanders St, Upper Mt Gravatt Q 4122. The information and opinions contained in this fact sheet are general information only and is not intended to represent specific personal advice (Accounting, taxation, financial, insurance or credit). No individuals personal circumstances have been taken into consideration for the preparation of this material. Any individual making a decision to buy, sell or hold any particular financial product should make their own assessment taking into account their own particular circumstances. The information and opinions herein do not constitute any recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any particular financial product. Modoras Pty. Ltd. recommends that no financial product or financial service be acquired or disposed of or financial strategy adopted without you first obtaining professional personal financial advice suitable and appropriate to your own personal needs, objectives, goals and circumstances. Information, forecasts and opinions contained in this fact sheet can change without notice. Modoras Pty. Ltd. does not guarantee the accuracy of the information at any particular time. Although care has been exercised in compiling the information contained within, Modoras Pty. Ltd. does not warrant that the articles within are free from errors, inaccuracies or omissions. To the extent permissible by law, neither Modoras Pty. Ltd. nor its employees, representatives or agents (including associated and affiliated companies) accept liability for loss or damages incurred as a result of a person acting in reliance of this publication.