3 Steps of Investment Planning
Investment planning is a matter of understanding your life today and your aspirations for the future. Many people plan for their future without a strategy in place and without realizing that effective money management requires expertise.
Investment planning process has the following building blocks:
BUILD
- Spending plan: Know where your money is going and direct it to where it should go and away from where it shouldn’t.
- Retirement Plan: What you can expect at the end of your work life.
- Investments: Which investment avenue you will select will depend on your investment objective and risk profile e.g. stocks, mutual funds, bonds, real estate or commodities..
GROW
- Equities Investing: Provides capital growth with a long term horizon
- Fixed Income Investing: Preserves your initial investment, while also providing regular income
- Voluntary Pension Schemes: Provides you a source of income after you have retired
- Tax Savings: Adds to your wealth by providing tax related benefits
ENJOY
- Fulfillment of short-term and long-term goals whether a dream vacation, a house, performing Hajj or a successful retirement with financial freedom and receive all the benefits that one can enjoy as a result of saving/ investment
Investment Planning – Myths and Facts
Myth: You can’t enjoy today and save for tomorrow.
Fact: An Investment plan lets you balance enjoying today and saving for tomorrow.
Where to start?
Myth: This is not the right time to save.
Fact: You can start investment planning anytime, however; the sooner the better.
You may have avoided thinking about your finances until now. The key is to balance your day-to-day activities with a long-term investment plan that helps you achieve your future goals and dreams. It’s never too late or too early to start your plan.
Next step: Figure out where am I today?
Where am I today?
Myth: I don’t have enough money today to save for tomorrow.
Fact: No matter what life stage you’re at, saving a little money today will make a big difference tomorrow.
Do you get stressed out in the day-to-day rush, or feel that your spending habits are not in sync with the stage of life you are in?
Before you can set goals for the future, you must assess your current financial situation to create a clear picture of where you stand today in terms of wealth. In this respect, a proper risk profiling and situation analysis allows you to lay the right foundation for your investment plan.
Next step: Define what are my goals for the future?
What are my goals for the future?
Myth: Realizing my dreams seems impossible.
Fact: No, it’s about setting goals, investment planning and enjoying your life.
Regardless of what life stage you are in, you are likely to have some short and long term personal financial goals. No matter what you are saving for, the question remains “Will you have enough money for the future?” With the right investment planning, the answer is “Yes“.