Relax in the knowledge that you are planning for your financial wellbeing

This is sponsored content for Robards Wealth Management

There are many predictable life events and milestones that you can prepare for financially, things like buying a home, having a family, and a comfortable and happy retirement.

There are others that can catch you off guard like sickness and accidents, a job loss or a relationship breakdown.

Whatever life can deliver one thing is certain, early and consistent planning and preparation around your finances will help you face the good with the not so welcome with greater confidence and success.

Taking control of finances can help ease worry, letting you rest comfortably knowing you are acting to set yourself up for financial independence.

But it can be a challenging job to do on your own. That's where having a well-qualified and accessible financial planner can be invaluable.

Not just for the wealthy

It's a common misconception that engaging a financial planner is only for wealthy people.

Local financial planner Andrew Robards from Robards Wealth Management said it's a mistake many people make.

"But pretty much anyone can benefit from having a clear financial plan," he said.

"Forewarned is forearmed and with the right advice early you can put in place strategies that will protect your wealth and wellbeing."

Andrew said paying attention to your superannuation, for instance, was one example of how taking action as early as possible would deliver long-term rewards.

"Depending on individual circumstances, strategies involving salary sacrifice, spouse contributions, and government co-contributions could further boost your super," he said.

"Whether it's strategies for the most effective way to save for a first home, paying off your mortgage, protecting your family from the financial fallout from sickness and accidents or planning for retirement, these are all things that a good financial planner can help with."

Choosing a financial planning partner

Once you decide to get a financial planner on board the next step can feel overwhelming. You want to get it right and making a choice can be confusing.

When it comes to personal financial planning and wealth management a long-term, collaborative relationship with your planner is important.

"You want to have a strong relationship with your financial planner, to have someone who is accessible, understands your individual circumstances and can work with you to provide financial security," said Andrew.

In the wake of the Royal Commission into Banking many of the big financial institutions are in the process of transferring their financial planning businesses to new licensees.

Bank clients could now be directed to a central call centre at one of the new licensees and allocated a planner to look after them.

This planner may or may not be local and the long-term, one-on-one relationship that's important for clients entrusting their financial future to the adviser may not be available.

At Robards Wealth Management - the family business started by Andrew more than 16 years ago - there's a focus on building relationships with customers.

"We really work to develop a personal relationship with our clients, to assist them through the many stages of their financial life cycle; that was my vision when I started the business," he said.

"Our support staff are also very long term local employees and our staff turnover is non-existent so our clients get to know their planner and the staff very well.

"This gives customers the confidence that their own personal situation is important. Our business has been built on the recommendations and referrals from clients.

"Many of them have been with us since the beginning and now recommend us to friends and family."

For more information head to Robards Wealth Management's website or phone 02 4941 6000.

This is sponsored content for Robards Wealth Management.