Blind spots are all around, preventing us from getting where we want to go. In our quest to transform the lives of every client through financial education and direction, we have identified four blind spots that everyone falls into on the road to financial independence.
Our goal is to help you learn what these four blind spots are, and how you can begin to avoid them as you pursue your financial goals and dreams.
Blind Spot #1 – Lack of a Plan
It is said that failing to plan is the equivalent to planning to fail! A plan is like a road map to get you from where you are today to where you want to go tomorrow. A well-defined plan provides the clarity and direction you need to begin taking action on achieving your most important goals.
But, if having a plan is so important, why do so few people take the time to develop a plan? Without a plan, how will you know if you’ve succeeded? How will you know if you are on the right track and you’ve arrived at your ideal destination?
The fact is most of us live life at such a fast pace that it is difficult to dedicate the uninterrupted time necessary to map out a clear plan. After a full day of work, preparing dinner for the family, getting the kids bathed and to bed…it’s no wonder we don’t have the energy to plan out our finances and future. And, if and when we finally do, many people simply do not know where to start.
If you truly want to save more money, you need a Savings Plan. To better manage where your money goes, you need a Spending Plan. If you have debt you’d like to pay off, you need to develop a Debt Elimination Plan. If you ever want the freedom to retire when you want to – and how you want to – you need a Retirement Plan.
And probably more important than anything else, to live a fulfilled life, with the freedom to do what you want to do – rather than what you have to do – you need a Life Plan.
Understanding you need a plan is only the first step. Developing a realistic, achievable plan takes work. It takes commitment and discipline. Plans will change; thus they must be reviewed and adjusted regularly.
Start by writing down your financial goals. Next to each goal, write down the very next step to moving forward toward achieving that goal. There is no magic pill. It is simply taking one step at a time, and remembering to focus on your progress.
Then, schedule time each week to plan your life and your money. It could be 30 minutes one night per week, or one hour every Saturday.
As your preferred mortgage experts, we are committed to helping you avoid this first blind spot and develop a safe, successful plan for your mortgage and real estate.