What to do now? Does the challenging economy and volatile markets have you searching for answers? Now more than ever, consumers should take the time to improve their financial knowledge in order to make better financial decisions. That is what Financial Planning Week™ is all about. The Financial Planning Association (FPA®) is excited to be celebrating the tenth annual Financial Planning Week™, October 3-9. During this week, the FPA® strives to build public awareness of the financial planning process, enabling individuals to make prudent financial decisions to achieve their life goals and dreams.
The FPA® is a non-profit member organization that believes that everyone is entitled to objective advice from a competent, ethical financial planner to make smart financial decisions. We have one of the strongest chapters in the nation right here in our own backyard. Our local chapter, The FPA® of the East Bay, has a membership of over 400 local financial professionals representing some of top financial planning minds in the Bay Area. Our members demonstrate a professional commitment to education and a client-centered financial planning process.
The FPA® offers some excellent resources to consumers. Please visit www.fpaforfinancialplanning.org and explore some of the free resources available that include: Find a Planner – The FPA offers consumers an easy way to search for a CFP® professional in their area. Ask a Planner – Use the Ask a CFP® professional hotline to ask a general personal finance question by email. Free Literature – The FPA offers a number of free brochures on a variety of personal finance topics. Career Center – The FPA provides a wealth of information for those interested in a career in financial planning.
20 Ways to Celebrate Financial Planning Week
- Balance your checkbook
- Make a monetary contribution to your favorite charity
- Start a savings account for a child, vacation or a gift for yourself
- Help teach your children how to save and spend wisely
- Get your estate in order: Create or revise your will and other estate-planning documents
- Call your financial planner and share your appreciation for their service
- Pay off a credit card
- Get a head start on college — investigate college planning options
- Establish an emergency fund
- Evaluate your employee benefits and begin planning for open enrollment
- Develop your holiday spending budget
- Plan for year-end tax strategies
- Purchase a session with a financial planner for a relative, friend or colleague
- Give a relative, friend or colleague a subscription to a personal finance magazine
- Invite a financial planner to speak at your workplace
- Review your insurance coverage
- Write down your financial goals and revisit them periodically
- Start using personal finance software to help you better understand your money
- Look up three financial terms that have baffled you and resolve to understand them
- Talk to a relative about their plans for long-term care
Financial Planning Week™ is an excellent time to asses your own personal finances and to discover the value of financial planning. I strongly urge you to do one of the things on the list above and visit the site to take advantage of the free, objective content made available by the Financial Planning Association™. Happy Financial Planning Week™!
Damien helps individuals invest and manage risk. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a principal of Walnut Creek Wealth Management. These are the views of Damien Couture, CFP® and should not be construed as investment advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Not all recommendations are suitable for all investors. Each investor must consider their own goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Your comments are welcome. Damien can be reached at 925-280-1800 x101 or Damien@WalnutCreekWealth.com.
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