Planning
Now you can start financial planning. Review everything in this course. If you skipped modules or missed questions, complete them so you fully understand your goals, values, and how you want to refine your financial life.
Take this information to professionals:
- Financial planner
- Accountant
- Good bookkeeper
These experts stay up-to-date and can help implement money management systems, achieve goals, and meet obligations. But they can only advise based on the information you provide.
You guide the process. Knowing your goals and values ensures your financial strategy is meaningful and aligned with your life and business—not cookie-cutter.
To-Do List: Prepare for Working with Financial Professionals
1. Personal Financial Overview
- Complete your financial snapshot: age, children, housing, inheritances, luck, risk profile, gender, geography, education, current financial position, relationship status, lifestyle preferences, retirement plan, health/well-being, capacity to work, industry
- List all income sources
- List all essential and discretionary expenses
- Identify misalignment between spending and values/goals
2. Business Financial Overview
- List products/services and revenue streams
- Track expenses, identify inefficiencies/leaks
- Review pricing for market, customer, brand alignment
- Prepare profit/loss snapshot if available
3. Financial Goals & Values
- Define short- and long-term goals
- Identify the “why” behind goals
- List values for decision-making
- Clarify idea of abundance and financial freedom
4. Risk & Planning Considerations
- Risk tolerance and investment preferences
- Retirement plan, superannuation, or equivalent
- Emergency fund, insurance, health considerations
- Financial dependencies or obligations
5. Questions for Professionals
- How can finances align with goals and values?
- What tax, legal, or compliance obligations apply?
- How to optimise cash flow and budgets?
- What financial systems suit me best?
- Opportunities for investment, growth, risk mitigation?
- How to track progress and refine plans over time?
6. Documents to Have Ready
- Bank statements (personal and business)
- Superannuation/pension statements
- Debts and liabilities
- Current budget/spending analysis
- Business financial statements
- Contracts, leases, or agreements affecting finances
Completing this preparation lets you make the most of financial professionals’ expertise while keeping your strategy aligned with your life and business values.
