This post is sponsored by CFP Board, but as always, the opinions below are 100% my own.
When you start off in the workforce, there are many options as far as different ways to start saving for your retirement–and these are often overlooked. There is so much to think about when you start planning for retirement. The earlier you start, the better.
Then life comes along, and you start thinking about buying a house or starting a family–and the costs that comes along with those milestones. Then, your original goals–like retirement–might get put on the backburner.
For a middle class family to raise a child born in 2015 through the age of 17, the average cost is currently $233,610, according to the Department of Agriculture. How could someone so small, cost so much? Food, housing, and childcare are only a few of the top costs.
Before I had children I didn’t realize the cost of daycare. When I had two kids in daycare full time it cost a whopping $1400 a month. $1400 a month to spend 40 hours a week away from my kids… It seems backwards, right?
Creating a budget and simply increasing mindfulness regarding how you’re managing your finances is the first step towards building a financial plan. We have started the process by sitting down with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional to get us on track.
What is a CFP® professional? A CFP® pro has gone through extensive training so that he/she is fully prepared to manage all of your financial needs. CFP® professionals are held to the highest ethical standards and understand the complexities of the ever-changing financial situations that may apply to each unique person. They’re able to make recommendations that are best for YOU.
Beware of people purporting to be “financial planners” as there are many that have not been certified. To be a CFP® professional you need to go through extensive training and adhere to rigorous requirements.
To become a CFP® professional someone must –
– Complete 4,000 or more hours of financial planning experience.
– Pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam, which will test their ability to apply financial planning knowledge to all different types of real-life situations. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional has proven that they understand real-life scenarios and how they affect your investments, retirement funds, college savings and/or estate planning.
– They are required to put their clients’ interests above their own when providing financial planning services.
– Be trained in 72 separate financial topic areas ranging from investment planning to estate planning.
For couples that are working full-time and starting to consider family planning, childcare costs are one of the top financial responsibilities to think about. Consulting with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional should be your first step to setting your family up for financial success.
Having two young kiddos, you never know what healthcare expenses will come your way–especially during cold & flu season. A CFP® professional will help you come up with a plan that allows you to thoughtfully budget for medical expenses–planned or unexpected. This is one of the biggest pros for us, because health insurance is something you can’t go without, and medical expenses can often come as a shock.
I am glad that we have chosen to hire a CFP® pro to help us not only manage our money today, but to help us build a plan for tomorrow.
Find out how a CFP® pro can help you at letsmakeaplan.org
Xo,
Ashley
22 Comments
Heidi Roberts
February 11, 2019 at 5:07 pmIt always gives you peace of mind when you trust a professional.
Georgia
February 12, 2019 at 4:11 amLovely post and I really enjoyed the photos as well!
Jordan Campbell
February 12, 2019 at 4:50 amThis is really a great idea, thanks for sharing. Where I live, daycare costs $1700 a month for ONE child. It’s insanity.
Norafiqin
February 12, 2019 at 9:05 amPeople say that having kids is expensive, no matter where in the world you live in and I totally agree. This, hopefully, could help in alleviating the cost, or at least manage it better.
Candace Moczarski
February 12, 2019 at 11:10 amyes i was working with a financial company and have learned so much to save for our family
Joanna
February 12, 2019 at 12:30 pmI actually didn’t know about the existence of these financial professionals that can help with budgeting and create plans for your family. It’s always good to have an emergency fund when something happens, especially when it’s medical.
Yeah Lifestyle
February 12, 2019 at 12:44 pmA CFP sounds like a great way to help you learn to manage your money. It is crazy that daycare is so expensive, isn’t it?
Lisa
February 12, 2019 at 12:56 pmThis sounds so important for families. I never heard of a CFP professional till now, very useful post!
Elizabeth Weitz
February 12, 2019 at 1:17 pmAhhh, working with a financial company is such a good idea. It will give you such peace of mind!
Sara Welch
February 12, 2019 at 1:22 pmI think our family could benefit from the services a CPF offers! Thank you for sharing this information!
John Mulindi
February 12, 2019 at 1:30 pmYes, professionals can help you plan well for the future. Thanks for sharing this important information.
Catherine
February 12, 2019 at 1:49 pmIt’s never too late to start saving and it is so, so important especially when you have a family. Great post!
Jasemine Denise
February 12, 2019 at 6:07 pmWow, this is incredible. I didn’t even know that this was a profession someone could get into. Like a professional budget expert!
Erin Haugerud
February 12, 2019 at 7:01 pmThis is what we need! I feel like we’re constantly swimming up stream!
Alexandra Cook
February 12, 2019 at 8:37 pmThis is my first time hearing about CFP Professionals. This sounds like a big help for a family when it comes to financial matter
Preet
February 12, 2019 at 8:38 pmWhat a great professionals from CFP that can help us manage our money. Sounds very useful especially nowadays.
Fatima Torres
February 13, 2019 at 1:06 amIt’s always better to seek professional assistance when planning for your future. We work with a professional for our budget plans as well.
Criselle Anne
February 13, 2019 at 10:39 amThis is a great way to manage your money. It is worth looking up for. I probably would consider getting help from them in the future.
Bella at Dear Mummy Blog
February 13, 2019 at 11:56 amWhat a great way to manage your money and certainly something to plan for. Sounds like a good financial option.
Emily
February 13, 2019 at 10:27 pmThis is so smart! I should meet with one soon!
Jasmine Hewitt
February 13, 2019 at 11:20 pmit never hurts to seek professional help. they have all the knowledge
Becca Talbot
February 18, 2019 at 8:42 amInteresting post – some great tips and advice here! I will definitely have to take some of this on board x