Embracing Financial Planning Month

October is National Financial Planning Month, which means it's the perfect opportunity to review and assess your personal budget, set goals, and educate yourself about financial planning. It's necessary to have a plan in place to achieve your short-, mid-, and long-term goals and make sound fiscal decisions. In this blog post, we’ll discuss five ways to assess personal budgets this month (and beyond).

1. Reviewing and Revising Budgets

The primary step in financial planning is to review and revise your budget regularly. As life changes, so do our priorities. This month, take the time to analyze your expenses and assess your current financial situation. Look for areas where you can cut expenses, such as dining out, subscriptions, or shopping. Then, make adjustments to your budget accordingly. Keep your costs in check and make a cognizant effort to contribute to your savings.

2. Setting Financial Goals

Setting financial goals is essential to achieving economic prosperity. So, during National Financial Planning Month, take time to evaluate your goals, both short-term and long-term. These goals could be saving for a new car, a down payment on a house, or planning for retirement. Setting goals and monitoring progress helps you stay focused and motivated to achieve them.
When setting these goals, it's important to make them specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely (SMART). This will help you create a clear roadmap to reach your goals.

3. Educating Yourself About Personal Finance

Another great way to celebrate National Financial Planning Month is by enhancing your personal financial literacy. There are plenty of resources available online, including workshops, webinars, and seminars on topics like investing, debt management, or budgeting. Consider attending one or more of these educational events to improve your financial knowledge. If you have any questions related to financial literacy, we’d be happy to help you out with our internal team.

4. Creating or Updating Financial Plans

Implementing and reviewing a financial plan is crucial to achieving a secure fiscal future. Use National Financial Planning Month to create or update your plan. Assess your current situation, identify areas that need improvement, and develop strategies to reach your goals. Whether you need help reducing debt or building a better budget, use this time to improve your financial planning strategies.

If you're overwhelmed by this planning, consider consulting a financial planner or advisor to receive professional guidance and help. Financial planners can provide personalized advice and assist you in making informed decisions about your money. During National Financial Planning Month, it's the best time to consider seeking professional advice to put you on the right path toward achieving your goals.

5. Reviewing Insurance Coverage

Take time to review your insurance coverage or add new coverage policies that suit your present needs. Insurance can be a great help during unforeseen life experiences that can otherwise derail financial health like medical emergencies, accidents, or theft. National Financial Planning Month is the perfect time to protect yourself, your family, and your properties, so remember to take care of your insurance policy needs.

National Financial Planning Month is an ideal opportunity to reflect and evaluate your financial situation. Spend some time reviewing and revising your budget, setting goals for the future, educating yourself, and creating or updating financial plans. You can also seek professional advice or review your insurance coverages to improve your unique situation. Whether you’re just starting or have set yourself on track to financial independence, use October as a stepping-stone toward obtaining success.

If you need help with any of these steps, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. We have financial advisors on staff and are here to help you create the plan that best fits your unique objectives.