Your Advisor: A Partner in Pursuing Lifelong Financial Goals

Need help managing your financial life? An investment professional is a tremendous resource to tap for financial planning information throughout your lifetime. For instance, your financial advisor can help you with:

Short-term savings: Avoid piling up debt when unexpected expenses come your way by having at least three months of living expenses available at all times. If you don't have an "emergency" fund, your financial advisor can help you figure out how to build one.

Investing for long-term goals: Your investment professional can help you determine how much you will need to retire and then work with you to build a portfolio to pursue the kind of retirement you have in mind. He or she can also help you come up with creative funding solutions for your children's education.

Estate planning: Contrary to popular thinking, estate planning is not just for the wealthy. Creating a will and naming a health care proxy (someone who makes medical decisions for you if you are incapacitated) and durable power of attorney (someone designated to decide financial matters if you are unable to do so) can make sure your wishes are honored. Consider using a qualified professional to develop an appropriate plan.

Three Tips for a Smooth Financial Meeting

Prepare for an appointment with a financial advisor by keeping this pre-meeting checklist in mind.

1. Organize your thoughts and set priorities. Think about your financial goals and time frames. Your advisor will be able to help you review these issues and match them to your tolerance for investment risk. Also discuss your top areas of financial concerns, such as reducing debt.
2. Gather the appropriate paperwork. You'll likely need to bring financial documents, such as investment account statements and tax returns, to your first meeting. Call in advance and ask what documents would be helpful.
3. Prepare questions for your advisor. It's important that you feel comfortable with your advisor and the services provided. Ask about the type and level of advice you should expect. Talk about how often you should meet for a "checkup" or to rebalance your portfolio.¹

Source/Disclaimer:

¹Rebalancing strategies may involve tax consequences, especially for non-tax-deferred accounts.

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© 2015 Wealth Management Systems Inc. All rights reserved.

This commentary was created for use by Aspire Planning Group, LLC (Aspire) for informational purposes only with permission from [LPL/Return on Life]. The views expressed are based on current market conditions and are subject to change. Aspire cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of statements or data herein. The commentary does not take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status, or time horizon. There are no assurances that the techniques and strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or that the predicted results will occur. The commentary does not constitute investment advice, tax advice, or legal advice. All investments are subject to risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results.