Hello, Vancouverites! Are you prepared to live comfortably in one of Canada’s most costly cities while securing your financial future? So let’s discuss investment planning now.
We are aware that a Vancouver lifestyle can be somewhat of a financial rollercoaster, but do not worry! Even in the face of rapidly rising living expenses, you can ensure that you and your family are adequately taken care of with the right investing strategy.
Don’t be fooled by high salaries either – you may think you’re earning enough, but without a solid investment plan, you could be setting yourself up for a future of financial stress and uncertainty.
Investment planning is about securing a lifestyle you and your loved ones can enjoy for years to come, even after you’re gone. It’s not simply about making sure you have enough money to pay your bills. then let’s get going! We’re here to help you navigate the ins and outs of investment planning and to outline all of your alternatives as you work toward financial independence.
Investment Planning Definition
Investment planning is the process of aligning your financial goals with your investment resources. It is the main component of financial planning that puts your savings to use and ensures you earn more money through investment. Whether it’s maximizing your TFSA or RRSP contribution or putting extra payments towards your mortgage to save interest, you need a plan to better direct your cash flows. The first step to a successful investment plan is identifying your financial goals and objectives to guide you on the type of investment vehicles you can use to multiply your financial assets to meet these goals and objectives. Having a plan for your investments provides you with a sense of direction and purpose, allowing you to maximize the return on your investments. Investment planning also helps you decide on the best investment strategy to meet your financial goals.
Why Is Investment Planning Important in Vancouver?
Having something to fallback on in times of crises or post-retirement is a major reason to have an investment. Living in Vancouver means we get to enjoy the scenery and lifestyle of one of the most livable cities in the world. At the same time, it also comes with higher cost. No matter how much income you are earning in Vancouver, it is never advisable to spend every dollar you have whenever it comes in. It is prudent to save and invest a percentage of your income, no matter how little. Financial advisors will always recommend that you have your money invested in different portfolios to provide for you and your loved ones. To have a lucrative investment, you need to have a solid investment plan that will ensure your financial and investment goals are achieved. Investment planning is important for the following reasons:
1. Definite Goals and Objective
When you include an investment plan in your financial plan, it helps you to think and identify your future financial goals and objectives. The kind of lifestyle you want to live in the future will determine the best type of investment portfolio that will meet your financial goals. It gives you an idea of the bigger picture you want for yourself.
2. Direction
Having an investment plan will give you a sense of direction in your finances. You will be able to choose the best investment and every financial decision you make will be intentional and purposeful.
3. Investment Strategy Formulation
Having an investment plan will help you determine the investment strategy that best suits your financial goals. You will be able to align your income with your savings and determine how you move money around to grow your investments. It helps you create an investment plan that will be comfortable for you by accommodating your present needs.
4. Review and Monitoring
An investment plan will help you review your investment strategies and monitor how well your investment portfolios are doing. With a proper investment plan, you can always review and change your strategies if there are indications that they won’t help you meet your financial goals.
5. Financial Security
An investment plan protects your future both in the short term and long term. It guides you on how to save and invest to secure your future and that of your loved ones.
6. Financial Knowledge
One benefit you get from investment planning is the level of financial awareness it gives you. In order to choose the right investment plan for your financial plan, you will have to be familiar with quite a number of investment vehicles that will improve your financial knowledge. You will know investments that are appropriate for the short term and in the long term. It will give you a whole new perspective on budgeting and how you can improve your financial situation and lifestyle.
7. Controlled Spending
In developing an investment plan, you will have to assess your current financial situation to enable you to save and invest a portion of your income. It also puts a cap on your expenses so as to meet up with your saving and investment plans.
Investment planning and how to prepare for your future in Vancouver: 5 Steps
It’s one thing to know you need an investment plan, it’s another thing to develop a viable investment plan. It is advisable to seek the help of financial advisors and tax lawyers to help structure your investment plan. After a bit of research into what investment planning is, there are further steps to take to ensure your investment plan is solid. Here are the first 5 steps to take when developing your investment plan:
1. Evaluate Your Current Financial Situation
Investment planning is all about securing your future and to do that, you need to know where you stand financially today. Evaluating your current financial situation gives you an idea of what you have to kick-start your investment plan. It will also help you structure your income and expenses to make room for investment capital. This step gives you a clear picture of where you are financially and it can also help you identify your desired financial lifestyle. You are also able to determine your investment capital after evaluating your financial situation.
2. Identify Your Financial Goals and Objectives
This step is quite important because it will determine how you will structure your investments in different portfolios. After assessing your current financial status, set a financial target for yourself in the short term and the long term. You could pen down the desired worth of your asset in the short term and long term. This step will enable you to identify the best financial strategy to adopt that will grow your assets to meet your financial target. Some of the things to consider when outlining your financial goals include your post-retirement lifestyles, your real estate goals, your streams of income, and whether you want to create generational wealth for your loved ones.
3. Decide On Your Risk Appetite
As the saying goes, the higher the risk, the higher the reward. Investing is all about risk, nothing is ever guaranteed. Low-risk investments usually have low returns and you have to decide what your risk appetite is for the investment journey. Most financial advisors will recommend that you spread your investment portfolios to combine low-risk and high-risk investments to strike a balance in your portfolio. Your financial goals also directly relate to this step because that determines how aggressive your investment portfolios will be. The key is to set realistic goals for yourself, using your current financial status. You can always review your investment plan when your financial situation improves. The more your income, the more you can afford to invest. Your retirement age also determines your risk appetite. For those aiming to retire young at the age of 40 or below, depending on how old you are and how much you make, you may have to invest aggressively to be able to sustain the post-retirement lifestyle you desire. When it comes to investment and risk, it’s not about how quickly you reach your financial goals but reaching them that is important.
4. Decide on The Type of Investments
This step is crucial to the survival of your financial plan and it is what determines how soon you achieve your financial goals. There are different types of investments that you can put your money to help achieve your goals. It is advisable to consult a financial advisor at this stage because every investment portfolio has its pros and cons depending on your financial goals. There is also the issue of tax which may hinder your investment from growing at the desired rate. Some of the common types of investment include:
a. Stocks
This gives you a stake in the ownership of any public company offering it. The returns on shares are known as dividends or you can sell your stakes when it has appreciated over a period. The stock market is known to appreciate by 7% annually or more. That is a potential value appreciation of whatever shares you own.
b. Investment Funds
These are known as a basket of stocks managed by a designated fund manager. This option is for those that do not have time in taking the investment decisions themselves. A known disadvantage is that the fund manager will be paid commission from your returns which may affect your total profit.
c. Bonds
Bonds are like loans to the government or individual companies in exchange for returns over a long period. This is a long-term investment with a modest return of 2% to 3% annually. For those planning to retire at a young age, this may not be the best option.
d. Annuities
They are usually referred to as a supplement to the normal retirement income. It is a contract between an investor and an insurance company whereby the investor pays a lump sum in exchange for periodic payments to the investor after retirement. The payment interval will be pre-determined.
5. Develop a Timeline
his step is also important because it gives you a sense of purpose in every financial decision you make. Your timeline should start counting from the moment you take the first step. This step ties directly to your goals and investment portfolios. If you’ve set a specific financial target for yourself, having a timeline will help you know when to change strategies or investment plans if it appears you won’t be able to meet your goal on time.
FAQ
The best investment plan for future is a plan which addresses all of your monthly needs, and allows all of your extra money to grow passively.
You can prepare for your future financial needs by having a clear understanding of your desired future lifestyle.
Plan your investment strategy by first knowing how much income you will need. Then grow your investments until you are able to generate enough passive income to cover your expenses.
The 5 steps of the investment process are to evaluate your current financial situation, identify your financial goals and objectives, decide on your risk tolerance, choose the investments, and develop a timeline.
