First and foremost you must remember the most important aspect of
financial planning, and that is, what you want to achieve? Try doing this: jot down 5 important financial goals that you want to achieve in the next 10-15 years.
The best, way to make this daunting task easy is to divide your goals into the following three categories:
Responsibilities:
Like providing for your parents, providing education to your children, funding their marriage, meeting any unforeseen events etc.
Needs: This includes requirements that you have like providing for retirement, buying a house, providing for day-to-day life and also saving for the near future, etc.
Dreams: Or aspirations. It can be anything like buying a luxury car to buying a big diamond for your wife or a world tour. Your dreams may be out of reach but there is no harm in listing them as this can act as a constant reminder for you to work hard.
The responsibilities, needs and dreams can be achieved through judicious mix of investments in fixed deposits, mutual funds and shares. Not to forget the safety net of Life and Medical Insurance.