14. Be Ready for the Unexpected “ If anything should happen to me, the people I care about would be financially looked after” 72% Comprehensive Plan 38% No Planning ® Registered trademark owned by Desjardins Financial Security
“ Wouldn’t it be great to have a written financial plan so that no matter what happens in the market, the economy, or the world you still feel confident that you are going to achieve your goals?”
[Read Slide] Financial planning is not just about what you want to do with your money, but what you want to do with your life. Sometimes it’s a very difficult balancing act between your current needs/desires and your future needs/desires. It’s about finding the right trade-offs that will work for you at every stage of your life. It includes investment planning, asset management and retirement planning of course, but it also includes personal risk management and insurance needs, estate planning, sound day-to-day, year-by-year money management, and sound income tax planning. Most importantly, it’s about how all of those pieces fit together to form the optimum financial plan to make your finances work best for you.
I’m sure in the audience there are people who are either curious about financial planning, or worried about their own finances. So why do you need a financial plan? [Relate to the audience members here- do they look like soon to be retired, young people learning to plan- tailor your message]
Last year, FPSC commissioned a study to try and determine the value of financial planning for Canadians. This is the first year of a five-year longitudinal study - one that will be done with the same participants over a five-year period - and it seeks to show the importance and benefits that comprehensive financial planning has for Canadians. The respondents fell into three groups: 1. people who have undertaken “comprehensive/integrated planning” 2. individuals who have engaged in “limited, single-purpose financial advice” 3. people who have not done any planning at all The study delineated ‘comprehensive/integrated financial planning’ as that in which respondents said that they were working with a single advisor to “provide financial planning for major life goals and events” or a single advisor who assisted in at least three of the following advice/planning areas: household budget; Taxes; Retirement; Estate planning; Investing; Debt; Managing Risk. People with limited planning have generally undertaken one or two activities in isolation, with an advisor. We see that a small percentage – less than 20% - are getting comprehensive financial planning. Considering that the study demonstrated how important a comprehensive financial plan is to the well-being of ALL Canadians – not just the super-rich – Canadians would be a lot better off if this number were higher! Failure to plan may be a plan for failure. 42% of people without a financial plan simply do not know what to do to improve their financial situation- how to get out of debt, pay of credit cards, buy a house, plan for retirement, take a much needed vacation. These can all be very daunting tasks when you don’t have a plan in place. With a plan, and the advice of a financial planning professional to guide you along the way, the task is not so daunting.
[Read slide – again relate to audience participants] Whatever your own individual goals are- retirement with the lifestyle you want, being prepared in case of the unexpected, saving for your children’s education, upgrading your home, or a fun-filled vacation- a comprehensive, integrated financial plan can help you get on track to get you there. Remember, a financial plan isn’t about sacrificing the present for the future – instead, it’s a balancing act between the wants and needs of today, and your wants and needs of the future.
Maintaining your lifestyle is one of the most common life goals every Canadian has. Everyone has their own unique view of what their ideal lifestyle is to them. For some, it’s all about slowing life down, spending more time with family and friends, and getting away from the grind and stress of their busy careers. Others envision plenty of golf and fishing days, while some dream of globe trotting and trips to Paris to shop on the Champs d’Elyses. Others dream about volunteering and living a life filled with purpose. But whatever your idea of your ideal lifestyle entails, those with a comprehensive financial plan are almost 3 times more likely to feel that they are on track to live in the lifestyle they want.
Personal finances are one of the most common sources of stress amongst Canadians. And stress can have many different negative physical manifestations – not to mention the emotional drain. So it’s no wonder that those who have a comprehensive plan have greater peace of mind than those without a financial plan. Having a financial plan can help you achieve peace of mind and reduce your stress.
[Read slide] A financial plan can help you avoid the common mistake of living paycheck to paycheck- it can allow you to anticipate your needs based on your own unique situation. It can help you balance your books and reach your life goals, and more importantly, not wondering whether or not you will have enough money to get by each month.
72% of respondents with a comprehensive plan agree that if anything should happen to them, their family would be looked after - while only 38% without a plan agree. In life, almost anything can happen to anyone, at anytime, anywhere. You can’t plan for it, but having a comprehensive financial plan can give you the security of knowing that you will still be able to look after the people you care about.
[Ask Audience- where is your dream vacation spot?] Read Stats A comprehensive financial plan will help you get where you want to go. So don’t get left behind
Buying a home is probably the largest purchase anyone could make. Many people dream of home ownership but don’t know how to get from their rented apartment to having their own front door . ¾ of individuals with a comprehensive financial plan are more likely to feel that they are on the path to home ownership.
Would you want someone who “says” they are a surgeon, to operate on you? Or would you want an MD?
Individuals who work with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professional more than 2 times more likely to feel they are on track with their financial affairs than those who do not have a plan.