It would be fair to say that financial freedom is essentially achieved when you can make choices without being stressed or concerned about the financial impact. How good does that sound?

As Financial Advisers our role is not all about investments and portfolio management. These are just the tools we can use to assist our clients in meeting their objectives. Focusing on these factors first without even considering what financial freedom means to each of our clients is like putting the cart before the horse.

Before meeting with an adviser take the time to think about your goals – short, medium and long term. There is nothing wrong with dreaming BIG but do try to be specific. For instance, don’t write down “I want $2 million in retirement.” Look at it this way “What options and life choices would $2 million provide to me.” You may be surprised. Maybe $2 million is not enough, or maybe you don’t need that much after all.

If you meet with an adviser and they get right into the discussion about investing without even taking the time to understand who you are, your priorities, goals and life dreams, then I’d suggest you get up and walk right out the door.

The pathway to financial freedom is not an easy one. It requires planning and discipline. Without a plan you can find yourself wandering aimlessly through life without knowing where you are or more importantly where you are going. Leaving the achievement of Financial Freedom to chance is a risky path to take.

If Financial Freedom is important to you, then engaging the right adviser can be the first step. Even the greatest athletes in the world have coaches. It is important to have someone that can map out a plan, guide you and ultimately hold you accountable to your objectives. Time is also a valuable resource that is impossible to create more of. Do you have the time or even want to make the time to focus on your finances?

Engaging the services of a trusted adviser is not only piece of mind that you have a plan and are on the pathway to financial freedom, it also frees up your time to focus on the things that really matter and that you are most passionate about.

The end of one year and the beginning of another is often a time to assess what financial freedom means to you, I encourage you to consider this and make 2019 your best year yet!