Life gets so busy and the months soon roll into years when suddenly you find that your finances are off track and you’re nowhere near achieving your goals. Instead of thinking it’s all too hard take a few moments to review the following tips. If you need a hand to implement your plans, we’re here to help.

Set your goals using the S.M.A.R.T. principle:

• Specific: What exactly do you want and how are you going to do?
• Measureable: If it can’t be measured, you can’t manage it.
• Attainable: Can it be achieved in your situation?
• Realistic: Is the goal beyond your capacity?
• Timeline: How long will it take to achieve the goal?

Learn from The Richest Man in Babylon
The foundation of this time-honoured book is to pay the most important person first – you! Preferably save at least 10% of your earnings, more if you can.

Manage your debt
Not all debt is bad, so make sure you know the difference. Debt that helps you improve an asset or increase an income is smart. 

It’s time, not timing
It is impossible to know when it’s the “right time” to invest. Start now and invest regularly to benefit from market ups and the downs.

Spread it around
Invest your money in a variety of assets. This will help to reduce the risk and increase the benefits .

Be patient
Try not to focus on daily financial reports. Worrying as your investments seesaw is not conducive to smart money management. Invest well and for the long term.

But stay focused
Regular reviews, say half-yearly, are a good idea. Revisiting results after a set timeframe reduces knee-jerk reactions that you may regret later.

Don’t become a statistic
Fraudsters are getting smarter. If you are promised something that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always check with us before investing.

Refer to a professional
Managing money is an emotionally-charged exercise. A skilled financial planner will help to reduce your stress, so you can relax and enjoy the whole experience. If you need a hand, give us a call.

For more information, contact us at Leenane Tempelton on 02 4926 2300 or email success@leenanetempleton.com.au

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Ready or not, the end of the year is fast approaching and now is the perfect time to start thinking about the year(s) ahead. In particular, this time of year presents a great opportunity to meet with your adviser to review your financial strategies and goals.

Many people use the Christmas/New Year period to reflect on the year that has just passed, often in a blur, and to begin thinking about the year(s) ahead. In particular, this time of year presents a great opportunity for you to review your financial strategies and goals in preparation for 2014 and beyond.

The importance of reviews

Changes can take place to your circumstances at any time and while you may already be having regular meetings with your adviser to ensure your plans continue to meet your needs, there are other changes that can have an impact, such as legislative and tax changes.

This is why reviews should take place on a regular basis, where you have the opportunity to make informed decisions and factor any of these changes into your financial plan.

Below is a simple guide to tidy up your finances for the year ahead.

1.Have your key financial goals changed?

Our lives are not constant and our goals change slightly (or greatly) from year to year. Also, major life events such as serious illness, the birth of a child, inheritance, marriage and the death of a parent or spouse can all result in significant changes to our wealth management goals.

2.Prioritise your goals.

It is important to rank and prioritise goals and decide in what timeframe you want to achieve them. Being realistic about your timeframe is essential to ensuring that your goals will be achieved.

3.Short, medium or long term?

Most industry experts agree that a short-term goal is one that can be achieved within a year or so. Medium-term goals typically require two to five years, and long-term goals usually take longer than five years.

For example, reducing credit card debt is likely to be a short-term goal, whereas saving for a home deposit would often be a medium-term goal. Depending on your age, providing for retirement is a long-term goal.

4.If your financial goals have changed, how will this affect your financial strategy?

This is where the advice of a financial planner is critical. An adviser has the tools and knowledge to create projections that take into account changes to your goals, and changes to your timeframes for achieving them. These projections will help you to see where your plans for savings, assets or investment contributions may need updating.

5.Be savvy.

Make sure that your investments and level of protection support your level of risk and your goals. An adviser can develop a tailored analysis that best suits your individual needs and provide ongoing portfolio.

Reflecting and thinking about your financial position, as well as setting a clear path, is critical to making sure you can reach your goals. You don’t have to wait until the first day of January to review your financial situation…contact your adviser today, so that you can get the help you need to achieve your “New Year” resolutions.

Our Office will re-open on Monday 6 January 2014 and we would love to help you set your financial goals for 2014 and beyond. Give us a call!

Source: Zurich, October 2013

Disclaimer

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