These financial planning tips never go out of style.

WHAT TO DO NOW?

These financial planning tips never go out of style.

DO:

  • Have a financial plan documenting where you want to be and how you are going to get there.
  • Have an investment policy statement detailing how you will make investment decisions. This will prevent you from making emotionally-charged investment choices.
  • Work with a financial planner who is compensated to provide objective advice, not an advisor who is compensated to sell products.
  • Whenever possible, invest early and often. This forces dollar-cost averaging.
  • Identify your risk tolerance before the next market pullback, and have an asset allocation that reflects that risk tolerance.
  • Be truly diversified among large, mid, small, international, growth, and value stocks. Invest not only in corporate bonds, but government and international bonds.
  • Make your asset allocation more conservative as you age.
  • Rebalance your portfolio annually.
  • Have an ongoing relationship with your financial advisor. Meet with him or her at least every six months.
  • Update your financial plan and estate documents at least annually.
  • Maintain liquidity in your portfolio. Having cash available will reduce your need to sell securities when their values are depleted.
  • Take advantage of the full employer match on your 401k.
  • Understand the risk/return relationship of all your investments.
  • Understand how and how much your advisor is compensated.
  • WORK WITH A FIDUCIARY – someone who is obligated to act in your best interest.

DON’T:

  • Necessarily trust your financial advisor. Make him or her earn that trust.
  • Let emotion get the best of you.
  • Be enticed by new, short-term investment strategies.
  • Trust “financial advisors” that encourage you to leverage your home, or push annuity products without mentioning the costs of such products.
  • Neglect estate planning.
  • Work with a financial planner who isn’t financially motivated to constantly serve you.
  • Pay high investment fees or commissions.
  • Invest in things you don’t understand such as gold, commodities, and options.
  • Seek advice from friends and family who are not financial professionals.
  • Seek advice from “financial advisors” with few tools, such as insurance or annuity salesmen.
  • Use short-term investments for long-term goals, or vice versa.
  • Invest for the long-term without an established emergency fund (3-6 months of expenses).
  • Purchase loaded products.
  • Work with a financial wolf in sheep’s clothing (an advisor who is not a fiduciary).

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