5 Rules and Objectives of Financial Planning

For every individual, money is a major concern in life as it is the currency which enables you to fulfil your ambitions. As a first step, write down your goals. Now, prioritize them. Families do not always have the budgets to fund several goals all together. A good financial plan can help you focus on one goal at a time.

Here are some essential goals and priorities that are most common to help you create your own list.

Goals cost money. To accumulate wealth, you first need an investment portfolio. We often feel we don’t have money for investments. But if you put aside at least 10% of your income every month, you can invest to make your money grow.

A healthy portfolio has investments across equity, debt and cash so that you can have growth, stability and save tax. Mutual funds are a versatile way to make investing simple. A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) lets you invest as little as Rs. 500 every month. So there is no excuse now to not invest.

Tax planning is a way to make your earnings more tax efficient. So in this way you can save money on tax at end the financial year. An Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) with a short lock-in period of 3 years makes for an ideal way to avail of tax benefits under Section 80C of the IT Act. As an added advantage, it offers growth. The combined effort of filing your tax exemptions and planning your investments, will make sure you get maximum returns.

Compared to earlier generations-, though we’re living longer, we’re more prone to ailments and the consequent medical costs are higher. Any unfortunate health condition down the road could drain out a considerable part of your savings. Your financial plan needs to be well prepared for it. With good health insurance, you will not only be able to provide yourself but also your family the quality health care they need without breaking the bank.

When it comes to retirement, you need to start planning early to retire comfortably.

Calculate your retirement corpus with this formula

A good retirement plan will require you to decide when you plan to retire and how much you are going to need to meet your monthly expenses at retirement. In addition, make sure your life insurance is at least 10 times your annual income. Compare policies and get the one that is most affordable and meets your needs.

Market conditions are always changing and portfolios need to be reviewed accordingly. Review your portfolio at least once a year or whenever there is an important life change. It ensures your portfolio is adapting to your life and the financial environment around you.

So, do you now have the answer to what is financial planning and a robust understanding of the objectives of financial planning? Having clarity on these imperatives can go a long way towards ensuring a stable and healthy financial life. After all, who among us does not wish to maximise on our potential and facilitate a seamless financial journey. From achieving all your ambitions, be it purchasing a car, a house or taking a dream vacation, financial planning can empower you every step of the way. And, with optimal financial planning, you need not even budget unnecessarily – with a proper and strategic plan in place, you can achieve your objectives without scrimping in your daily life. As long as you create a roadmap towards your achievements and save regularly, there is no stopping you from achieving what your heart desires. And that is the power of financial planning.  

Time is money. So start your financial planning early and you’ll soon be on the path of security and growth.

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