The ACA Approach: Holistic Financial Planning

What is holistic financial planning?

Holistic financial planning is an integrated approach to the financial planning process. 

Remember that old song about how "the foot bone's connected to the ankle bone; the ankle bone's connected to the leg bone; the leg bone's connected..."  Well, holistic financial planning recognizes that your investments are connected to your taxes which are connected to your estate planning which is connected to your insurance, and so on.  And all of these components need to be organized to support your goals.

In addition, holistic financial planning recognizes that money is an emotional issue.  We were all raised with "money messages" that shape how we deal with financial matters.  Often we need to recognize those messages before we can make needed behavioral changes to ensure our financial independence.

Other principles of holistic financial planning:

• Financial planning is not an event, nor is it something done "to you"--it is a continuous,
  life-long process that requires your active involvement.
• You are far more in control of your financial future than you have been led to believe.
• Your values, your beliefs, and your attitudes about money are of primary importance in the financial planning process.
• You need financial strategies developed for "real people," not for pension funds and institutional investors.
• True financial independence lies in knowing how much is enough.
• Advisors who practice holistic financial planning must be compensated in a manner that minimizes conflicts of interest.

How is this different from other approaches to financial planning?
Follow the money.