Feeling unsure about where to start with financial planning? You’re not alone. At Infinity, we follow a clear, structured 5-step process designed to make financial planning simple and stress-free.
This guide will walk you through what to expect at each stage and how working with a professional can help you make informed decisions with confidence—so you can build lasting financial security with ease.
Infinity’s 5-step financial planning process
Starting your financial planning journey can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Many of our first-time clients are unsure about what to expect—but that’s exactly why we’re here.
To help you feel at ease from the start, we’ve outlined the simple 5-step process we follow, explaining how you can prepare for each stage.
If you’re unsure about anything, don’t worry—our experienced financial planners have worked with hundreds of expatriates and will guide you every step of the way, asking the right questions to help you gain clarity and confidence.
Step 1 – Goals
Before meeting with a financial planner, take some time to think about what’s most important to you financially. Here are some questions that might help:
- What do you want to achieve financially in the short, medium, and long term?
- What kind of lifestyle do you envision for yourself and your family?
- Are there any major life events coming up, such as buying a home, getting married, or retiring?
It is useful to break goals into categories to know the timeframe you are hoping to achieve them in. Typical goals include:
- Short-term (1–3 years): Saving for a holiday, building an emergency fund, or paying off credit card debt.
- Medium-term (3–10 years): Buying a home, funding children’s education, or starting a business.
- Long-term (10+ years): Retirement planning, wealth accumulation, or legacy planning.
The more specific that you can be, the better. For example, instead of your goal being, “I want to save more money,” try “I want to save $20,000 for a down payment on a home within 5 years.” or “I need $50,000 for my child’s education in 10 years.”
Any questions or concerns you have can be discussed with your planner. Remember, this is just a jump-off point.
Step 2 – Fact-find
The fact find is a key step that enables your financial planner to tailor your financial plan to your exact needs. You will be sharing a lot of personal information so it’s extremely important that you feel comfortable with the consultant you are working with. If not, it’s best to find someone else.
Your planner will need the following specific information about your current financial situation so make sure you gather the details in advance regarding your:
- Income and expenses
- Savings and investments
- Debts and liabilities
- Insurance coverage
At this stage, you should also highlight any financial obstacles in your way such as concerns around unstable income, high debt, or unexpected expenses. Your financial planner needs to understand these in order to create a realistic strategy. Don’t worry, you can be honest, Infinity is a judgement-free zone.
Step 3 – Planning
This is the stage where the financial planner does all the hard work! Using the information you have given them, they will prepare a detailed cashflow analysis and use this to provide a clear roadmap of your financial future.
Your personalised savings and investment strategy will be based on this roadmap and presented to you in a follow-up meeting with your adviser. Together, you will discuss the decisions that need to be made in terms of how much to save and how best to invest your money to balance risk and reward. You’ll also discuss insurance requirements to protect your wealth.
The decisions are yours to make, but your consultant will arm you with all the information that you need to make informed ones.
Step 4 – Execution
Now that you have a well-devised financial plan, it’s time to put it into action. This stage is all about implementing the strategies you and your financial planner have agreed upon.
Your consultant will guide you through setting up the necessary accounts, making investments, adjusting insurance coverage, and putting savings plans into motion. They will also ensure that all paperwork is completed correctly. You’ll have 24/7 access to your online portal on our bespoke digital platform.
Execution isn’t just about getting started—it’s about building momentum. Sticking to the plan requires discipline however, your financial planner is there to provide support and motivation.
Step 5 – Review
Financial planning isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing journey. As life evolves, so should your financial strategy. Regular reviews help ensure that your plan stays aligned with your goals after major events such as a new baby, getting married or a career change.
For most investors, a long-term, buy-and-hold approach works best, so these reviews aren’t about making frequent changes to your portfolio. Instead, they’re about adapting to major life events and ensuring your financial roadmap remains on track.
To make your review as productive as possible, we’ve put together a simple checklist of key questions to discuss with your adviser. Reviewing these in advance will help you get the most out of your meeting.
Are you ready to secure your financial future?
If you’ve been putting off getting your finances in order, now is the time to take action. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to achieve your long-term financial goals.
The good news is, that getting started is easier than you think—and it doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Our clients find peace of mind knowing they’re building wealth and working toward a secure financial future, with professional guidance and support available whenever it’s needed.
Reach out today for a conversation and start taking control of your financial future.
Financial Advisor
A British financial adviser in Vietnam, specialising in wealth and investment management for expats, with certifications in financial planning and investment, he helps clients organise their finances to enhance their lifestyle and achieve their goals.
