INVESTMENT PLANNING

WHAT IS INVESTMENT PLANNING?

Investment planning is a critical part of the financial planning process, where one identifies specific financial goals and puts together a strategy for achieving them. There are various investment options in the form of cash, bonds, securities, annuities, and even property. Based on the funds available, one can utilize these financial tools to reach their desired goals and objectives. In other words, an investment plan can help you create a strategy that can increase your assets and help secure your future and that of your loved ones..

WHY IS INVESTMENT PLANNING IMPORTANT?

Investment planning is about ensuring your future and to do that, you need to know where your current financial situation stands. By evaluating your current financial situation, you will get an idea of what you have to kick-start your investment plan. This can also help you structure your income and expenses to make room for investment capital. This step can give you a clear picture of where you are financially, as well as help you identify your desired financial lifestyle in retirement.

Identifying your financial goals and objectives is important because it will help determine how you should structure your investments as it relates to your portfolio. After assessing your current financial situation, set a financial target for yourself in the short term as well as the long term. This can enable you to identify the best financial strategy to adopt that may grow your assets to meet your financial target. When outlining your financial goals, some things to consider include your post-retirement lifestyles, real estate goals, streams of income, and whether you want to create generational wealth for your loved ones.

We often hear that the higher the risk, the higher the reward. Investing is all about risk, and as you know, nothing is ever guaranteed. Low-risk investments usually have lower returns, so you will want to decide your risk tolerance for your investment profile. Most financial advisors will recommend that you spread your investments across different portfolios to combine both low-risk and high-risk investments in order to achieve a balance in your overall portfolio. Your financial goals should also determine how aggressive your investment portfolios should be. The key is to set realistic goals for yourself, using your current financial capabilities. You can always review your investment plan when your financial situation changes. The more income you have, the more you can afford to invest. Your retirement age will also determine your risk tolerance. For those aiming to retire at a younger age, depending on how old you are and how much you currently earn, you may have to invest more aggressively to be able to sustain the post-retirement lifestyle you desire.

COMMON EXAMPLES OF INVESTMENTS

  • Stocks

  • Bonds

  • Investment Funds (Mutual Funds, Exchange Traded Funds, etc.)

  • Annuities

  • Real Estate

  • Commodities (Gold, Silver, Platinum, etc.)

  • And More!