Financial Work Out
Like most people, my commitment to working out ebbs and flows through life’s seasons. Sometimes I’m committed, eating well (if Kaimey is making me) and exercising regularly. But other times, I find myself sliding back into ice cream every night (chocolate chip cookie dough!) and prioritizing any other activity over exercise. It’s hard to consistently stick with it.
One way to stay on track is to have a personal trainer. A dedicated person who focuses on you and your progress toward your goal. An expert in the areas of health and strength that you’re not as familiar with and a partner to encourage and remind you to stick to your goals and plans. Having a personal financial planner is a lot like a personal trainer. They aren’t there to restrict you from life’s joys, but to use their expertise to encourage you to be the best version of yourself.
Continuing that analogy, at Avant Financial Advisors our service offerings can be equated to the levels of commitment you might receive from a personal trainer.
Our Limited Financial Planning offering is like hiring a trainer for one specific challenge or need. Maybe you want to complete a 5k or get bigger biceps and a trainer would help you meet that one goal. Similarly, if you have just one thing you want to focus on, like selecting the best health insurance plan or figuring out how to save for your kids’ college, we could help you address that specific area.
The Comprehensive Financial Plan offering is a 6-month partnership toward your complete and overall financial health. This would be like hiring a personal trainer for a six month period and they would address each area of your lifestyle: nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, etc. and implement a plan for you to apply that ensures success. If you choose this offering with us, we do an in-depth review of your total financial life and get all areas from debt consolidation to investment diversification in the best shape for your future. We give you a written plan that outlines the steps you need to take to accomplish your goals.
The Ongoing Financial Plan begins with developing the Comprehensive Plan, but then we stay by your side indefinitely for whatever comes up. Job changes, moving homes, inheritances, changes in tax laws…life is always changing, and your financial situation is too. Just like a personal trainer could be available to you for what new health concerns or goals arise, we would have an ongoing relationship to benefit you as life’s financial questions come your way.
The Investment Advisory is my favorite because it’s like hiring a personal trainer to lift the barbells, do the burpees, and eat the vegetables for you, and YOU lose weight and build muscle. Brilliant! I bet you wish your trainer could do that for you, right? For this service, we do everything the Ongoing service offers, but we also establish your accounts and manage your investments for you.
A personal trainer isn’t obligatory because sure, anyone can do the research and get healthier on their own. But it would take much more time and could consume you. And invariably something will come along to throw you off-track. In navigating the financial world, there’s no substitute for the benefits an experienced professional partner brings. Someone who does the work for you and conditions you into good shape is invaluable, and also frees your time to focus on the things most important to you.
Now that I’ve unintentionally persuaded you to hire a personal trainer, give us a call too so we can help get your finances in shape! Find out more about our service offerings, sign up for future blog posts, and let us know how we can help.
Next week we’ll be answering the question, “Do I need a will?” Spoiler alert: You already have one. Even if you didn’t prepare it.
