Earlier this year, I planned two vacation getaways. As you might expect, I needed to find lodging accommodations and started the process by perusing several websites for suitable arrangements. My preliminary search consisted of simply looking at pictures of places that met my minimum accommodation requirements (bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.). From the places I found attractive, I read the detailed website descriptions and a few reviews from guests that have recently stayed there.
I find this research process to be a mix of excitement and apprehension. My excitement lies in the prospect of landing the perfect vacation spot, but it is always tempered by that fact that words, and even pictures, can’t ever fully portray reality. There is a risk that the website’s representation of the place might exaggerate my expectations to a point where I’m slightly disappointed when I get there and see the place in person.
As financial planners, we face a similar challenge when helping people envision their financial future. Of course, we cannot fully know the reality of someone’s financial future; however, it is our job to paint the most realistic future impression possible from their current facts and circumstances.
Like the pictures on the lodging websites, our current financial planning tools provide a visual picture using graphs and charts to better illustrate your financial future; however, even the best financial projections can turn out differently then we can envision today. That is why we believe an ongoing planning process that adjusts along the way gives you the best opportunity for an even brighter future.
It is our passion to help people manage the resources they have been entrusted as wisely as possible. We want the financial planning process to be engaging and empower you to make quality financial decisions. We are constantly looking for new and better ways to improve our financial planning experience.
What aspect of our financial planning process has been most helpful to you? What are things that frustrate you when working with Master’s? We always appreciate your feedback!
