7 Steps to Actually Get Your Money Together (Not BS Financial Advice)

Let’s be real — if you’re reading this, your finances are probably a mess. Maybe you’re wondering whether to hire a financial planner, or maybe you just want to understand how financial planning actually works before spending money on it.

Here’s the truth: 330,300 financial advisors exist in the U.S. for a reason. Most people have no idea how to piece together a coherent money strategy. But the good news? The process is actually pretty straightforward once you break it down.

What a Financial Planner Actually Does

Think of a financial planner as your money architect. They don’t just yell “buy stocks” — they help you figure out retirement, college savings, insurance gaps, tax optimization, and investment strategy. You can hire them for one specific goal (like saving for a house) or have them manage your entire financial life.

The 7 Steps to Building a Real Financial Plan

Step 1: Vet Your Planner Like It’s a First Date

When you meet with a potential planner, ask to see their investment policy statement — basically their playbook for how they’ll manage your money. Also request a sample financial plan to understand their process. This isn’t just formality. You’re about to trust them with your cash.

Step 2: Ask the Hard Questions

Don’t be shy. Here’s what matters:

• What are your credentials and licenses?
• How much do you charge, and how are you paid?
• Are you a fiduciary? (Meaning: legally required to put your interests first, not theirs)
• What investments do you typically recommend, and why?
• How often will you check in?

A good planner will welcome these questions. A sketchy one will dodge them.

Step 3: Fill Out the Financial Questionnaire

Your planner will ask you to detail everything: current income, expenses, assets, debts, and future projections. They need to know if you’re drowning in credit card debt or sitting on a nice emergency fund. This is the foundation for everything that comes next.

Step 4: Define Your Financial Goals (With Numbers)

This is where most people mess up. “I want to be rich” isn’t a goal. “I need $60,000 for a home down payment in 5 years” is a goal.

Break down your objectives:

• Short-term (1-3 years): Emergency fund, vacation, car
• Mid-term (5-15 years): House down payment, kids’ college fund
• Long-term (20+ years): Retirement nest egg

Attach a dollar amount and timeline to each. This makes everything measurable.

Step 5: Know Your Risk Tolerance

Can you stomach watching your portfolio drop 20% in a bear market without panic-selling? Or does the thought keep you up at night?

Your risk tolerance determines your asset allocation. A 25-year-old with 40 years to retirement can afford to be aggressive (more stocks, more volatility). Someone 5 years away from retirement? Different story.

Step 6: The Plan Gets Built

Now your planner synthesizes everything. Maybe they discover you have zero life insurance but a family depending on you. Or you’re 50/50 stocks/bonds when your risk profile says you should be 70/30. They’ll recommend:

• Asset allocation adjustments
• Life/disability insurance gaps to fill
• Tax-loss harvesting opportunities
• Debt payoff strategy
• Spending cuts (if needed)

Your plan should be personalized, not generic cookie-cutter advice.

Step 7: Monitoring and Adjusting (The Part Most People Skip)

Here’s the dirty secret: creating the plan is only 20% of the work. The other 80% is follow-up and adjustment.

You’ll meet regularly to benchmark your progress. Are you on track to hit that $60K down payment goal? Did the market downturn affect your retirement timeline? Do you need to earn more, cut spending, or adjust expectations?

Life changes. Plans evolve. Your financial strategy should too.

The Bottom Line

Financial planning isn’t rocket science, but it requires discipline. The process works — but only if you actually follow through. Meeting a planner once and ignoring the plan afterward? That’s just expensive procrastination.

The real wealth-building happens in the follow-up, the adjustments, and staying committed to the strategy when life gets messy.