Many of our clients come to us looking for help with a specific issue. Yet they soon realise that we can help them to change their life through financial planning.
If you already know what financial planning is, great, we can’t wait to get started! But if not, read on and find out a little more about the process and how it could transform your future.
What is financial planning?
Opening minds to a lifetime of possibilities is our vision here at Lifetime. And this is exactly what financial planning is all about. The most important conversations that we will have with you won’t be about investment strategies or pensions products. They will be about you, the people who matter to you, and what your hopes and ambitions are for your future.
Your first step in financial planning will be to let us get to know you. Our expert financial planners will help you to think about your future in a way that you might never have done before. They will help you to consider what is really important to you, and what you really want to achieve in life.
We’ll then ask you for some financial details so that we can understand what you spend, what you have coming in, and what you’ve put away for the future.
Then, we’ll use all of this to build you a lifelong cash flow model. We’ll also introduce you to your financial bucket, a concept we use to help our clients to understand their money. Your cash flow model will let you see whether you are likely to be able to meet your goals. It will also show you what your life might be like in retirement.
We will also be able to help you to test out the different possibilities for your life. Could you afford to work part time? Should you move to a larger house? A financial plan can help you to answer all of these questions. It will also allow you to see what could happen if things don’t go quite to plan. Knowing that you would still be okay if there is a financial crisis or if you suffer from illness or injury can give you great peace of mind.
Can a ‘Bucket’ change your life?
Your financial bucket has in it all of the money you could easily get you hands on. By understanding what’s in there, and how your money flows in and out, now and in the future, you can take control of your financial life. This is what we will achieve through building you a financial plan.
But your bucket won’t just help you to take control. It’ll also help you to answer some of the biggest questions in your life. When can you retire? Can you afford to help your kids out with their first step on the housing ladder? Can you afford to spend more on doing the things you love?
Please also have a look at Lifetime’s animated video, based around the ‘Big Questions’ we all have to strive and answer, in order to live the life we want to live. A proper financial plan – a life plan – is something that we all should look to put in place.
- We use the fantastic cash flow modelling software from Prestwood Truth to help put together your financial plan. It helps us tell you the ‘truth about money’. Have a look at our video:
