If you have been reading this column for the last three issues, and
followed the instructions, you will have completed the main action steps of clarifying your values,
clarifying your goals and doing the action steps towards achieving your goals.
You may be wondering what to do next.
As the old shampoo commercial used to say: “Lather, rinse, repeat.”
The idea behind that statement is now that you have a time-tested, proven, working framework of how to
achieve your financial goals, simply repeat the process. If you compare financial planning to a restaurant
franchise, you will find that the restaurant franchise repeats their processes over and over again. This is
what makes them so successful.
All you need to do as you achieve each of your goals is simply repeat the process. This will help make you
very successful when it comes to achieving your goals.
Remember the KIS principle. Keep It Simple. Financial planning does not need to be complicated. It is simply
a matter of doing the simple things, on a daily basis, that move you towards your goals
As you achieve your shorter-term goals, you may find more motivation to stay focused on your longer-term
goals
You may also find more simple ways to add money towards achieving your goals (see sidebar).
Money-saving Tips
• Having friends over for a potluck dinner
• Implementing a family games night
• Reducing your cable subscription if you don’t watch much TV
• Using the library more often
• Buying items through the classified ads
• Carpooling, if possible• Increasing the deductible on your home and auto insurance
• Taking a summer “staycation” instead of travelling abroad
• Collecting reward points wherever possible, and sticking to one program
• Reducing your cell phone plan if you don’t use it much
• Paying cash wherever possible
• Using the “envelope system” for paying your bills
• Starting a home-based business and saving the tax savings
• Packing your lunch on family day trips• Using any association discount that you can get
• Using a no-fee credit card• Switching to a no-fee bank account
• Buying things in bulk wherever possible
• Always going shopping with a list, and sticking to it
• Giving some of your savings to charity, and saving the tax savings
• Selling your clutter with online classifieds, and saving any proceeds
This list could go on and on and on. You get the idea.
My point here is, how many things do you buy or purchase each month simply out of habit? If you have
implemented a goal-setting system then you have changed at least one of your old habits. Why not look at
changing a few more?
If your goals are mainly financial and you want to hire someone, you may want to consider working with a
Certified Financial Planner professional. One of the most helpful things a financial planner can offer is to
help keep you on track to achieve your goals.•
At the end of the day, if you achieved your goals for your
reasons, you will have improved your overall Quality of Life.
Stephen Cox is a Certified Financial Planner
professional with Desjardins Financial Security Investments Inc. and Desjardins Financial Security
Independent Network in Halifax (7001 Mumford Rd., Suite 312, Halifax, N.S., B3L 4N9). Email your questions or
comments to Stephen at steve.cox@dfsin.ca or check out his website at
stevecox.ca
Mutual Funds distributed by Desjardins Financial Security Investments Inc.
Life & Health Insurance distributed by Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network.
Fee for Service Financial Planning is done through S. Cox & Associates Wealth Management
Inc.
