One of the key areas most neglected with money is the planning process.  The question is pretty simple.  What are your goals? What are your objectives?  How about your priorities?  Do you know your financial independence day?

Most people go through life saving money, maybe saving money for college, and maybe buying a life insurance policy.  Those are great first steps.  However, can you specifically answer the question why?  Why are you saving money?  You could answer that you are saving for the day that you declare financial independence from earning an income.  That is great you know you can give a global answer.  Do you know how you are going to get there?  Global answers can apply to anyone. Individualized planning is your own game plan specifically based on your values, goals, and priorities.  Think of a global answer as a map and an individualized plan as the itenarery. 

What about your family?  Are they taken care of in the event of a death?  Will your children be OK financially?  What if your will is not enough to truly carry out your goals?  Estate planning is one of the easiest processes to complete as well as one of the least expensive.  

Saving for your financial independence day or taking care of insurance or a will is just a start.  There has to be a solid plan that provides a foundation for your life.  It is a low probability that global thinking will actually get you to your destination.  To increase the odds of your success, a planned out financial strategy is crucial.