Why Is Goal Setting Important in the Financial Planning Process?

Are you striving for financial security and success? It starts with a clear plan. Goal setting is the backbone of the financial planning process, helping you stay on track toward your financial aspirations.

Without goals, it's easy to lose focus or mismanage your resources, leading to missed opportunities for wealth building. If you're serious about securing your financial future, you need to understand the critical role goal setting plays in that journey.

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Ultimate Guide to Family Financial Planning for a Prosperous Tomorrow

According to the Federal Reserve, about four in ten American adults were "doing okay" financially around the end of 2023. About one in three said they were "living comfortably." The rest, however, were either only "getting by" (19%) or having a hard time getting by (9%).

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Using a Fee-Only Financial Advisor: Your Guide to Smarter Investment Choices

You've worked hard for your money, and now it's time to make your money work for you. As you approach retirement or think about your financial future, you might be wondering how to make smarter investment choices. That's where a fee-only financial advisor comes in.

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Fiduciary vs Financial Advisor: Make the Right Choice for Your Future

Two-thirds of Americans admit that their financial planning needs improvement, a statistic that highlights the widespread need for better financial guidance. Navigating the world of financial planning can feel overwhelming at times, especially with so many professionals offering their services.

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Are Two Incomes Always Better Than One?

Our culture and society may change slowly, but they do change. More families today feel less social pressure for both spouses to be employed outside the home. With the cost of childcare climbing ever higher, some begin to see the decision to stay at home as a strategic choice that makes financial sense.

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Can Capital Gains Push Me Into a Higher Tax Bracket? UPDATE FOR 2024

A capital gain refers to the increase in value of an asset such as stocks, bonds, precious metals, real estate, and other assets. When these assets are sold, the realized gains are taxed at lower rates than ordinary income if the assets are held for at least one year. If the assets are held for less than a year, the gain is treated as a short-term capital gain which is taxed under ordinary income tax rates.

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Maximizing Cash Flow: The Art of Cash Flow Forecasting in Financial Planning and Analysis

In a world where financial uncertainty can feel like the only certainty, many miss the critical step of cash flow forecasting in their financial journey. This oversight is not just a small blip. It can lead to significant missed opportunities and unnecessary financial stress.

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10 Financial Planning Strategies That Will Help Secure Your Future

If you count yourself among the 72% of the country who consider themselves not financially secure, it's time to do something about it.

At Phillip James Financial, we've helped countless Minnesotans achieve financial freedom. Keep reading and find out about some of the strategies that we've discovered work best for our clients.

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Understanding the Key Differences between Wealth Management vs. Financial Planning

Money matters. Whether you're just starting to build your financial foundation or navigating the complexities of growing wealth. Understanding how to manage your money is the key to growing it.

When it comes to money management, two terms often come up: wealth management and financial planning.

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Why Is Financial Planning Important

"What gets measured, gets improved", is a common saying that's been going around the blogosphere for a while now. It applies to all aspects of your life, such as meeting a daily calorie goal or walking 10,000 steps.

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What Is the First Step in Financial Planning?

Do you feel as though you're constantly struggling with finances? With everything going on these days it's more important than ever to get your finances under control. Perhaps you're considering building your own financial plan but haven't taken financial planning seriously in the past.

You may wonder - what is the first step in financial planning?

Below, we'll outline the first step in financial planning.

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