Why should I plan for the future?

“Life is what happens to you

While you're busy making other plans”

                                                                   - Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy), John Lennon

Are you asking yourself if you should you plan for the future? Have you wondered why you would do that when you could be getting on with your life? Do you think that making a plan stops you from doing that?

 Then this post is for you.

It isn’t the job of financial planners to argue with poets, but let’s take a moment with that John Lennon quotation... 

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself what ‘planning’ actually is?

‘Planning’ is thinking, feeling, reflecting about what you would like your future to be like.

‘Planning’ isn’t spreadsheets and risk analysis and ‘what ifs’

‘Planning’ is poetry'

 Planning is taking a good look at your life and realising that you are worthy of your own time.

That’s what I see every day in my job. I’m very lucky, people share their hopes and dreams with me and we design a path to get there.  Or, we adjust their path from last year. 

Planners are people who allow themselves the opportunity to look at their lives with optimism and the belief that they can create a future that they have designed with themselves in mind.

And, what does “Life is what happens to you” actually mean?

It’s true that life doesn’t always go the way you thought it would. There are always variables. Uncertainty has always existed.

But if you choose to become a planner “Life is what happens to you” takes on a new meaning.

If “Life is what happens to you” means that the universe will throw you a curve-ball – let’s say an unexpected redundancy – having a financial plan will mean that you are in a better position to respond to this change rather than react to it. You have the opportunity to direct the outcome of life’s uncertainties wisely and in your favour.

Plans look different to different people. Maybe you want to own your own house, learn to invest, learn to save, to build. Maybe you want to direct your money rather than money directing you.

In my work with hundreds of clients over the years, I have done my bit to help with plans like these…

• “We want to tour Europe for a year"
• “I’d really like to own my own little place"
• “My Dad paid off our mortgage when I was 40. I’d like to do the same"
• “Our jobs are emotionally draining; we want to stop work a few years early"

...and plenty more besides.

What are you hoping for?

To get started; write down the sentence that sums up what you can dream of. It’s probably best if your dream feels feasible, but don’t let me restrict you…

We are here to help. Money is what we do. So do call us, and see what you could be creating with yours.

Tax laws can change.
The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Investing in shares should be regarded as a long-term investment and should fit with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

(i) John Lenon quote source
The Beatles - All These Years: Volume One: Tune In
http://www.thedailybeast.com/the-beatles-succeeded-through-talent-ambition-and-a-lot-of-arrogance