“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” ― Warren Buffett
We may not be able to predict what will happen in the days ahead but you can make financial plans that will protect you and your loved ones from the worst things that can happen as well as putting money aside to help you have your own ‘shady tree’.
I can help you with this in a number of ways. Firstly you need to think what those ‘what if’s’ that we would all rather ignore might be:
What if I die?
For me a basic principle of financial planning is making sure that if you die your family will be provided for by ensuring there will a lump sum to clear any mortgage and loans you have as well as providing money for them to survive financially.
What if I am taken ill?
I can help you arrange a plan that would provide either an income or a lump sum if you are taken ill so that you and your family have financial security whatever happens.
Providing yourself with this cover need not cost you a lot of money every month but the peace of mind it gives you is priceless.
Planning for your future
You also need to consider your long term future by making sure you have something set aside for when you want to stop working and start to enjoy your ‘long holiday’.
I can help with this in a number of ways such as;
- Looking at your monthly budget and seeing if you can afford to save some money be that into an ISA, pension or that large jar labelled “retirement fund’.
- Checking that the details of any old pension plans you have are up to date and if we can reduce the costs you are paying on them.
- Ensuring you are making the most of current pension contribution opportunities whether that’s checking you are maximizing what your employer will pay or using your savings to get the most tax relief you can.
- If you run your own business there are several advantages in having your company pay the contributions for you as this can save Corporation Tax and National Insurance.
Of course saving for the future does not only involve pension plans and I will be happy to help you by reviewing and monitoring any cash savings and investments that you may have.
Overall the aim at this stage of your financial planning is trying to make sure that you will have funds available to live on and also give you the control to decide on your own terms when its time to go and ‘sit under your tree’.
If you would like to know more or have a specific question please go to the Contact Us section and get in touch with me.