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Defining Your Goals
Probably one of the most important things we do with our Partnering For Your Success students is to help them define their goals. We discuss their need for both short and long term goals. This might sound trite to you, or you might say, Yeah,...
Does Your Life Include a RIPE Plan?—Planning Tips for Retirement, Investing, Protection, and Estate Planning – Part 1 (Retirement)
Does Your Life Include a RIPE Plan?—Planning Tips for Retirement, Investing, Protection, and Estate Planning – Part 1 (Retirement) by: Janet L. Hall No matter what your age or years of work, it’s almost never too late to start planning for your...
Online Investing and Trading discussions at www.streetplayer.com
The new investment forum, www.streetplayer.com is back. streetplayer.com is an investment information site for those interested in using Internet to obtain information about stocks and other securities. Our plan is to build comprehensive database of...
Real Estate Investing and Goal Setting
What is the primary reason for success most people have that
seems to elude unsuccessful people? Goal setting is the primary
reason for success. Lack of proper planning is the number one
reason for failure. Proper goal setting involves setting...
Real Estate Investing By The Numbers
Real Estate Investing By The Numbers Just like most things real estate investing can be broken down into easy to learn step. Step One - Learn the basics: Ownership of real estate is evidenced by a valid deed. When you buy property the seller...
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Financial Planning and Investing
What exactly is financial planning, and why is it so important?
Financial planning is the process of determining how to manage money, investing, present and future financial goals, and the strategy that should be undertaken to obtain them.
Because our goals and desires change as we do, financial planning and investing is a task that is never finished. How we are financially able to reach these goals, and the risk we are willing to take to get there, necessarily means that any financial plan must be specifically tailored for an individual or family.
Financial planning begins by taking into account each individual's assets and liabilities at that particular point in time.
The asset category includes life insurance and monetary investments of all kinds, along with physical assets such as a home, automobiles and other items.
Liabilities may range from personal loans, credit card debt, and loans taken to obtain hard assets, such as mortgages.
Next is where sources of ongoing income and increases in hard asset wealth enter into the equation. Income most usually is earned by employment, but other sources, such as possible inheritances, must also be considered. Increases in hard asset wealth, such as rising home prices, will be affected by general economic conditions as well as owner enhancements.
From here, things get trickier, and this is where the true planning begins!
Our particular stage in life -- whether we are young, old, or somewhere in the middle -- will usually lead us to desire a particular set of goals. Financial planners often break down our life cycles into distinct phases. Which phase we are in is often determined by age but will also be dictated by how much risk we are willing to assume.
Younger people are most often
described as being in an accumulation phase. Their earnings have not yet hit their peak, but at the same time they are striving to obtain both hard and soft assets.
Examples here include saving for a new home or a child's education. Risk assumed here will be tempered by the time constraints of these goals as well as individual risk tolerance. In general, the longer the time frame, the more investments in the aggressive category may be considered.
The other phases extend to middle age and beyond to retirement. Our middle age years often find us at the peak of our earning power, with many of our former goals satisfied. This will mean greater savings are possible, and as time progresses towards retirement, our tolerance for risk will necessarily diminish.
Financial planning takes all of this into account and more. Other factors, including planning for health care and other insurance needs, preparation for emergency expenditures, tax and estate planning and the like will all be part of the strategy.
Unexpected windfalls may also enter into the picture. Saving for retirement becomes increasingly important as the time earned income will end draws nearer.
All of these variables add to the importance of financially planning across all stages of one's life. It is a concept that encompasses your total financial picture -- both in the present and for the future.
About the Author
Copyright © 2005 I.E.C. Haramis haramis@greekshares.com http://www.greekshares.com
Ioannis - Evangelos C. Haramis was born in Greece in 1951. Studied Business Administration, Marketing and Economics in Greece, USA and in Belgium.
He has been active in the stock markets since 1972. Since 2002 he is New Business Development Managing Director at an Investment Bank.
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Investing: Stock Quotes, Charts & Market News - MSN Money |
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