While having lunch with a couple of friends a few weeks ago the topic of investing came up. One friend has been investing in the local stock market for a couple years and she asked me which stock she should consider next; this prompted my other friend to comment that she always wanted to invest but feels as though she lacks the knowledge. Does this sound like you ? 

When I first started investing, I knew very little, and still managed to make money. The same thing happened with my friend who now loves to invest. We are all beginners when we start something new. Do you want to remain a beginner because you never took that first step? If you have not started investing yet, NOW is the time to start creating your wealth!

Yes, I understand investing can be intimidating and scary. I’ve been there. We were all afraid of the dark as children. The scary shadows you thought you saw, turned out to be your favourite toys when you turned the lights on.

Like the tooth pain you try to ignore when you know you need to see a Dentist, there comes a point where you’re gravely hurting yourself by not taking the action. Honestly, you will be wasting valuable time if you wait till you have learnt all there is to know about investing.

Just as you don’t need to become a Dentist in order to have your cavity fixed – you do not need to wait to know it all before you can safely dive into the world of investments.

Money is a fundamental part of our lives and all of us are required to make decisions regarding it on a day to day basis. Financial planning for the future has become increasingly important if we want to achieve financial independence, freedom and security. 

Investing is an effective way to put your money to work and earlier you start the sooner you can reap the benefits.

According to CNN money, we will need around 70% of our pre retirement salary to live comfortably, provided that you are living in a mortgage or rent free property. Yet most of us have not started to plan for retirement and are at risk of falling short.

Listen, we get it. Sometimes it can feel as if there’s so much to learn and so little time. The truth is, there IS a mountain of information out there. You don’t want to get lost in something you feel you don’t fully understand. You think that if you learn everything you can in advance, then you can’t be conned. 

We understand.. many of our clients felt this way before they met us, and this has caused many to delay investing. What is important here is getting actual guidance.

You don’t try to take out your cavity yourself, you rely on the skill of your Dentist. The same is true for your finances – lean on the knowledge of your financial advisors to help you navigate the world of investing. 

Our clients have all found that their ultimate responsibility was to truly know their personal finances, understand their spending habits, be clear about their short, medium and long term goals. For all other things, they sought advice from those who do have the knowledge.

Clearing your path to wealth is often thought of as a defined 5-step plan. First this, then that. The truth is, this is often not the case. Savings, investing, and even debt repayments can often happen simultaneously. There is rarely a “this must be completed in full, before step 2 can begin” scenario when it comes to your finances and life. The creation of wealth is a constantly moving, shifting thing – because it is based on people. 

This takes me back to my original point of not needing to go to dentistry school to take care of a cavity –   instead you seek the expertise of the dentist. To clear your path to wealth, you should seek the guidance of a financial advisor who can help in putting aside mental barriers that you have unknowingly put in place to growing your wealth.

Finding a good financial advisor can help you focus your goals and align them with your financial plan. Financial advisors aren’t just for rich people, working with an advisor is a great choice for anyone who wants to get their personal finances on track and actually achieve their goals.

What we offer here at Firstline is called Boutique Portfolio Management. It offers you the unique opportunity to have an investment that is tailored to your current situation, investment experience, goals and objectives and attitude towards risk. It’s my job as your financial advisor to help you achieve a tailor made portfolio that hits all of your goals. #CreatingWealth

So please, be careful when mentally making investing more complicated than it needs to be. Don’t be afraid to take action. Just as the pain of a cavity will continue to get worse if neglected, so will the pain of not taking action to put aside enough to accomplish all your financial goals and have enough for retirement. Your financial plan goes hand-in-hand with achieving your dreams.