Financial Planning Basics for a Complete Financial Plan

Financial planning

Many people think that financial planning is a once-and-done event that starts with the numbers and ends with investments and pie charts. But that's not what true financial planning is about.

Financial planning is a comprehensive, ongoing approach that starts with helping you define your dreams, developing a plan to help you get there, then tracking your progress along the way, recommending changes where needed.

What is a personal financial plan?

A personal financial plan is tailored to your unique goals and contains actionable information and recommendations to help get you where you want to go.

How financial planning makes a difference

Having a written financial plan can help you feel more confident and prepared for your future, whether you're nearing retirement or just starting to save.

Ameriprise^® financial planning: Initial year

What can you expect from the financial planning process? During the first year, you'll go through several steps as you develop your plan and put it into action.

Ameriprise^® financial planning: Ongoing years

After the first year, you'll continue to work with a financial advisor to track your progress toward your goals, making adjustments to your financial plan along the way.

Neither Ameriprise Financial nor its representatives or affiliates provide tax or legal advice. Consult with your tax advisor or attorney regarding specific issues.

Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients.

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*Ameriprise helped pioneer the financial planning process more than 30 years ago. Our unique Dream > Plan > Track >^® approach is about more than just numbers, it's both science and art. We have more financial planning clients and more CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals than any other company in the U.S. based on data filed at adviserinfo.sec.gov and documented by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. as of Dec. 31, 2011.

Ameriprise Bank, FSB an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC, provides deposit, lending, rewards points and personal trust products to Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Ameriprise Bank and Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. are subsidiaries of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Ameriprise financial advisors may receive compensation for selling bank products. Ameriprise Bank has applied to convert its bank charter from a federal savings bank (FSB) to a non-deposit national trust bank by year-end 2012. Upon completion of the conversion, we will offer personal trust services through the national trust bank. In addition, Ameriprise Financial will continue to offer a broad range of consumer banking products and services through partnerships with well-known and respected financial services companies.