Investment Planning Creating a viable investment plan
requires a little more than simply
establishing a savings account
and buying a few random shares
of stocks. In order to structure a
plan that is right, it's important to understand where you're at
and what you want to accomplish
with the investments. Then, you'll
define how to reach those goals
and select the best investment
options to reach them. The good news is that it is never too late to
create and implement a personal
plan and begin
creating a nest egg for the future.

Investment planning is the process of matching your financial goals and objectives with your financial resources. This is a core component of financial planning and It is impossible to have one without the other. Investment planning is a process that begins when you are clear on your financial goals and objectives. There are thousands of different investments. The most commonly used are cash, equities, bonds and property. Each of these have different characteristics and a good plan will usually contain all of these. By helping you set out clear and measurable goals, we can match the most suitable mixture of investments to each specific goal in the most efficient way. From the outset it is important to build a strong foundation and as your circumstance change, we can help you make any necessary adjustments to keep you on track.

Investment planning
A sound investment strategy is critical to helping your money grow and, ideally, outpacing inflation. However, if you're like many people, you may not have the time or the inclination to analyze how different investments or securities may fit into your portfolio.

The steps below can help guide you through the investment planning process.

Clarify your investment goals
Before you invest your money, it's important to identify and prioritize your financial goals, assess your risk management and understand your investment options. A financial advisor can help you sort through your options and invest appropriately. Some questions to consider:

What needs and dreams are you saving for? Retirement, a home, education?
When will you need the money you plan to invest now?
What is your risk management? Are you willing to invest in stocks that may rise and fall in value in the short term, but have the potential to deliver larger returns in the long run? Or would you feel better if your money were invested more conservatively?
Do you understand how different investment vehicles (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, etc.) work? And the potential tax impact of each?