Planning for Retirement

• One of the most common reasons to use a financial planner's services is to create a plan to save and invest for retirement. Financial planners can help clients choose investments that fit their needs and the time horizon they have available to grow money. For instance, a financial planner might optimize a young worker's long-term wealth prospects for retirement by allocating most of their money to stock investments, while they might allocate more money to government bonds on other low-risk investments for older workers that are nearing retirement age.
  
  

Buying a Home

• While financial planners can craft an overall wealth creation strategy, they can also provide advice about achieving smaller and more specific goals such as buying a home. Obtaining a mortgage with a favorable interest rate and finding the extra money to pay it down can be a complex financial task; financial planners can help clients overhaul their finances to afford a mortgage. If you want to buy a home, but are struggling with your finances, consider getting advice from a financial planner.
  
  

Estate Planning

• An estate is a collection of the assets owned be someone who has died, which are distributed to beneficiaries or heirs. According to "The Wall Street Journal," some financial planners specialize in estate planning. Estate planning can be complex for those with significant assets, since assets may be taxed and debts held by the deceased party must often be paid back by the estate. Estate planners can make a plan for paying back debts and reducing taxes owed.
  
  

Investment Planning

• Financial planners can also help clients with investment planning. If you have excess money and are looking to invest to earn a higher return that you can get in traditional savings vehicles, a financial planner can provide advice about different types on investments, and how to investment money to complement your overall financial strategy. The U.S. Securities an Exchange Commission recommends that you meet financial professionals face-to-face before receiving advice.