When you first start working with your financial planner to achieve your long-term goals, you may be excited to begin creating a robust investment portfolio or to see your wealth grow over time. But the first, and arguably most crucial, step is to gather your documents and personal financial records so that you can make the most suitable decisions to achieve your goals.
This initial step can be time-consuming, leading many to rush through it or skip it altogether in their keenness to make the big decisions. If you neglect to complete this initial task properly, though, you could risk making unwise financial decisions later down the line that aren’t aligned with your personal circumstances or goals.
Our experience of working with clients has shown us that it is only possible to feel confident in the decisions you make later on if you have taken the time to review your existing financial health first. That’s why your first meeting with your planner will usually lay the groundwork for your financial plan, to ensure that it is built on solid foundations.
An organisational system can help you to feel more in control of your finances
Organising your documents isn’t just a matter of having the right information to hand at the right time; having clarity on your income, expenses, savings, and investments can offer many emotional benefits too.
When you don’t know how much you are earning or spending, it can be easy to overspend, and this lack of clarity can create a feeling of uncertainty. Over time, this can take a toll on your emotional wellbeing as well as your financial stability.
Fortunately, it’s possible for anyone to take control of their finances. By taking small steps towards organising your financial documents, you can begin to feel more confident in your ability to manage your finances, boosting your financial wellbeing.
One of these steps could be to create a dedicated store for your financial documents, whether that’s a physical folder or binder, a digital hub, or a combination of the two. When you have set this up, you may find it easier to discover the relevant information each time you need to make a decision about your money.
Having a clearer picture of your financial health can help you to make more meaningful progress towards your goals
The financial clarity that you gain from organising your documents and records in this way can provide a helpful snapshot of your overall financial health. It can help you to understand your relationship with money and identify opportunities to build your wealth and reduce unnecessary expenditure.
When you know this essential information, it will usually become much easier to make sensible financial decisions as you work towards your goals. For example, you may be able to spot opportunities to help your money grow more quickly or reduce expenses so that you can direct more of your income to the things that bring you fulfilment.
This can help you to create an action plan that enables you to achieve your long-term goals. Whether you’d like to retire early, travel more, or even set up your own business, a clear action plan with manageable steps along the way could help you to feel more confident in achieving your goals within your preferred time frame.
Your financial planner can help you to take the first steps towards financial clarity
Organising your financial documents may not be the most exciting task, but it is the first crucial step towards financial clarity and confidence. By doing this well, you are more likely to make the most sensible decisions with your money as you work towards your goals.
Your financial planner can offer support and guidance with this. Since our company was founded, we’ve supported hundreds of expats in Singapore with their financial plan, all beginning with the crucial step of organising their financial records. So, we’ve witnessed the many financial and emotional benefits that this process can have.
Get in touch
Learn more about how we can support you in laying the foundations for a successful financial plan by organising your financial records and documents.
Either contact your financial planner directly, email us at hello@ascentawealth.com or fill in our online contact form to organise a meeting and we’ll get in touch.
