Hello, and welcome! I’m Elliot Unsworth, Head of Client Proposition at Astute Private Wealth, and I’m here to dive into the world of financial planning and the power of cashflow forecasting. If you are an individual looking to take control of your finances or achieve your financial goals, this video is for you. So, let’s get started!

In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable world, financial planning has become an essential aspect of life. However, traditional financial planning often focuses solely on numbers and investments, neglecting the most crucial element: the actual lifestyle goals that you want to achieve.  We prefer to focus on helping you set, plan, and achieve your lifestyle goals by making your money work for you, not the other way around.

Lifestyle financial planning has emerged as a clear approach that integrates personal aspirations and values into the financial planning process. Instead of treating money as an end in itself, we view it as a tool to enhance one’s quality of life.

Start by considering your lifestyle as it is now, with the first priority being ensuring that you can maintain it long-term. Then think about your dreams: perhaps buying a home, retiring comfortably, sending your children to university, or starting a business. We all strive for milestones such as these, and financial planning is the roadmap that shows you how to get there, and how to achieve financial freedom.

The crucial tool we use in financial planning is cashflow forecasting. This is where the magic happens! For these videos we will use one piece of software in particular, though it is worth mentioning that other tools are available. Cashflow forecasting is like looking into a financial crystal ball. It helps you see where your money is coming from and where it’s going in the future. By predicting your income, expenses and significant life events, you can make informed decisions to reach your financial goals, and watch how those decisions impact your personal cashflow forecast, right before your eyes.

So, how can you get started with cashflow forecasting? It’s as simple as contacting one of our trusted financial planners. Let me walk you through the steps.

Step 1 is to gather your financial data. This is collecting all of your income sources, expenses, and savings. You can also plan for when certain life events might happen, or when you want them to happen, such as retirement, supporting family or moving house.

For step 2, we input your data into the tool. It will crunch the numbers and create a clear picture of your financial future. This leads us to the most critical aspect of financial planning—making adjustments based on the insights we have gained from your cashflow.

Lastly, step 3, make informed decisions. A forecast can show you the differences in your long-term picture by making certain important decisions, comparing one course of action with another. If you’re lucky, you may just find out that your goals are not only achievable, but can be achieved so much sooner than you thought!

We know from working with our clients that the benefits of financial planning and cashflow forecasting are endless. Achieving your financial goals, reducing financial stress, and enjoying peace of mind are just some of the many advantages. It’s all about having control over your financial future.

So, whether you’re starting your financial journey, or you want to enhance your existing plan, both financial planning and cashflow forecasting are the keys to financial success.

Now that we’ve explained financial planning and cashflow forecasting, we will be releasing further videos showing you the magic in action, as well as how some of our planners have enhanced and genuinely changed some of our clients’ lives for the better.

Thank you for joining me in this introduction to financial planning. If you have enjoyed this video and want to access future videos as soon as they are available, make sure to subscribe. If you have any questions or need further guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your financial future is in your hands, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.