What is the one thing barbers, bloggers and billionaires – all have in common? It is the ability and power belief – you can achieve whatever you put your mind to. The same is true for accomplishing money milestones. Be it financial security or accruing savings to cover lifelong expenses. Fulfilling your childhood passion to travel around the world or ensuring financial protection for retirement and health care. Setting up an education fund for kids college, a lavish wedding or a goal as eccentric as a trip to the moon in future. You could be a 25-year-old, finding your way through the maze of financial planning or a professor retiring in a few years, looking to tick off a bucket list, without having to worry about running out of savings.

A financial planner will help you build the roadmap that will take you from where you are now in life, to the life you truly covet. And no, their ability is not reserved only for the ultra-rich or privileged. They are accessible to all, and here’s how you too can benefit. 

Step 1: Do you know your finances?

It all begins with you, and answering a simple question – Why? What is the reason you want to hire a financial planner? What’s the purpose? What do your finances look like? What are your expectations from a financial planner? Make sure you’ve your purpose, your situation overview, and expectations in place. This will help and act as a guide to planning your financial route with your planner.

Step 2: Swipe right only after a thorough evaluation 

It is easy to feel overwhelmed with the gamut of choices. Everyone knows a planner. Everyone is planning. Only a few are able to attain financial freedom. When you are shortlisting, remember a graduate from WhatsApp University is not the same as a certified financial planner with worldview knowledge, experience, insight and mastery on the subject. Separate the wheat from the chaff. Conversations, discussions and unbiased, honest opinions are difficult. Find a planner, who can align your wants and needs to a practical action plan, irrespective of your fund size. Rely on a planner who will give you a head start and help you turn your financial visions to reality. 

Step 3: Mindset Matters 

Bust the myth that a financial planner is not for you. They are expensive. They have a prejudiced strategy. And they take control of your finances. It’s the contrary. A certified financial planner is qualified to advise, plan and present you with opportunities that you may end up overlooking. A trusted fee-only planner will charge a fee, but with the fee comes an unmatched ability, a wealth of experience and service that unburdens a load off your shoulder and a sense of security that follows with knowing your finances are well invested and you’re in control of them.

Step 4: Don’t be locked down, Open the Dabba

Rewind back to the days when our ancestors used to store their savings in a Dabba – that stocked flour (atta). They trusted their treasure chests, hidden under the bed to store the household valuables. Back then banking was a relatively new concept, that wasn’t accessible to all. And now? Who doesn’t have a bank account? Digital banking is at our fingertips and used extensively.

Similarly, a few years ago, financial planners were a luxury accessible only to the rich and the famous. It’s not the case anymore. Don’t let the fear of the unknown, delimit you and grapple your success and road to financial freedom. It’s time to ’Open the Dabba’. 

While you are at it, it is easy to think, you can do it all. With so many distractions vying for your attention, hiring an expert is the right way to go. If you focus on the nitty-gritty, you will always be competing with time to manage it all. Even more, times are rapidly changing. How do you deal with uncertainties and unaccounted surprises? It’s never too early; you’re never too late to hire an expert for investment advice and probable ways to make your money work for you. 

Step 5: Trust the expert. 

When you search for ‘reasons for headache’, Google can display different answers to the same question, whereas a doctor can certainly confirm and validate. A thorough checkup, followed by tests (if needed), can assure you of your physical and mental well being. A financial planner is no different. No matter how many blogs, books or podcasts you refer to, you will have to go through a time consuming, win-some, lose-some learning curve. Financial planners will save you that cost, time and effort. They will be there for you in the process. Keep your goals and financial portfolio in check. They will work in your best interest to clarify, simplify, and strategize and to help you take control of your finances. That in return will reward you with a debt-free and financially healthy life.

To believe that you have time is a loss of an opportune moment. Get a head start; book a financial planner today.