The success of your financial life can often determine the quality of your actual life. Working with a financial advisor can help you establish a successful financial plan to achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself and your family.
Because choosing a financial advisor can be tough, we’ve outlined some of the key benefits of working with effective financial planning services. With many things to think about, there are different types of financial advisors who can help you along your journey.
Here are the key benefits of using a financial advisor:
1. To protect your family
There are a myriad of life insurance products on the market; a financial advisor can tell you which ones are actually worth buying.
They will assess your position and guide you through the best options to protect yourself and your family – whether you are single or married, have a young family, or are approaching retirement.
2. To help plan your spending and saving
To secure your long term future, you need to build some assets – initially to get you through the rainy days and then to pay for holidays and luxuries.
Step one is to plan your spending so that you begin to save, and step two is to plan that saving so that you can build your wealth as efficiently as possible. Irrespective of amount, a financial advisor can look at your situation and find the best starting point for you.
3. To help you plan for retirement
Once your short term saving needs are covered, you can start thinking about the long term. Most people these days realise that they cannot rely on the state for more than the absolute basics.
Planning for retirement is a complex business, and there are many different options available. A financial advisor will not only help sift through the many rules and product options and help construct a portfolio to maximise your long term prospects.
4. To secure your house
The mortgage market is complicated, even more so in the aftermath of the increase in interest rates, with mortgages now even more complex and lenders’ requirements more stringent.
Buying a house is one of the most expensive decisions we make and the vast majority of us need a mortgage. A financial advisor could save you thousands, particularly at times like this. Not only can they seek out the best rates, they can help you assess sensible levels of borrowing, make the most of your deposit, and might also find lenders who would otherwise not be available to you.
5. To help you meet your investment goals
As you progress through life and your assets and income begin to increase, you can start considering how to enhance your position rather than simply consolidate it. This could mean anything from looking to retire early or paying college fees for your children. Whatever your goal, a financial advisor can help assess what is realistically possible and plan with you to help you achieve it.
6. To find the right combination of assets
Investment is as much about protecting against potential downsides as it is about targeting maximum growth. High returns are often associated with high risk and not everyone likes the idea that their investment might fall by a third or more overnight!
A financial advisor will make a detailed assessment of your attitude to risk before making recommendations. They will also ensure you don’t put all your eggs in one basket by helping you diversify not only across asset classes but also across accounts, individual funds and product providers.
7. To obtain an objective assessment
Every new investment opportunity or product is likely to be accompanied by a certain amount of hype but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is right for you. Investors will continue to be caught out by market ‘bubbles’ or high charges because they rush headfirst.
A financial advisor knows how products work in different markets and will identify possible downsides for you as well as the potential benefits, so that you can then make an informed decision about where to invest.
8. To save money
Once your risk and investment assessments are complete, the next step is to look at tax; even the most basic overview of your position could help. You could join the Alpha Savings & Investment Club to give your hard earned savings the opportunity to earn interest.
For more complicated arrangements, it could mean moving assets to your spouse or children to maximise their personal allowances instead. A financial advisor will always have your tax position in mind when making recommendations and point you in the right direction even in complicated situations.
9. To keep you on track
Even when your investments have been put in place and are running to plan, they should be monitored in case market developments or abnormal events push them off course.
You can ask a financial advisor to keep a watchful eye on your investments. They can assess their performance against their peers, ensure that your asset allocation does not become distorted as markets fluctuate and help you consolidate gains as the deadlines for your ultimate goals move closer.
10. For peace of mind
Money is a complicated subject and there is lots to consider to protect it and make the most of it. Markets are volatile and the media are prone to exaggerate the risks and rewards. Employing a good financial advisor can cut through the hype to steer you in the right direction.
Whether you need general, practical advice or a specialist with dedicated expertise, you could find that in the long term the money you invest in expert advice will be paid back many times over.
If you have any questions on please feel free to contact us or check out this Savings Calculator to see how much you could potentially earn. Alpha Wealth are delighted to be recognized as one of the top financial advisors by Best In Ireland.
