Mapping Out the New Year

     I spent the holidays in Los Angeles, where I hadn’t visited in years. Because it had been so long, my family and I decided to take the opportunity to explore the city like true tourists, visiting iconic places like the Chinese Theater, beautiful parks like Runyon Canyon and Griffith where we could take in the vistas, and people-watching sites like Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier.

     It dawned on me how difficult it would be to visit so many places in such as short period of time without our GPS helping to navigate the busy freeways and neighborhood pockets of L.A. My brother, who recently moved there and prompted our visit, actually asked for the Thomas Guide map series for Christmas – just in case his GPS should fail him, he would have an ol’ fashion paper map in his car directing him where to go.

     Both in my personal and professional life, I come across so many people we have no plan in place whatsoever for their money. If you can relate, at least be comforted to know that you are not alone!

     But without one, it’s hard to know if you’re close to your goals, or even how to manage your daily expenses because you may not even be sure if you’re saving enough or when it’s okay to splurge.

     Sometimes people have no idea exactly what a financial plan really is. Isnt’ that just for people who have millions of dollars and complicated estates, they ask?

     To which my answer is always a resounding – albeit friendly – No! 

    A financial plan is just like a map… but for your money. It will tell you “You Are Here” and offer various routes on how to get to point A, B, C, etc., with some path easier to follow than others. A GPS for your money.

     And just like L.A., it’s not just for the rich and famous 🙂  Nearly everyone would benefit from having one.

    How grateful I was to have an opportunity to visit so many new and excited places this holiday. I know it would have been harder to see each of them without our map to guide us.

    What kind of financial map will you have in place in 2017? Will it take you were you want to go?

    If you want to learn more about what strategic money steps you can take this year to get you to exactly where you want to go, I’d love to help. Schedule a consult any time – it’s free.