Start Your Year Planning for JOY (and Avoiding Mistakes)

You deserve to maximize the JOY in your life and one way to make that happen is by avoiding the common mistakes that can throw you off track and steal those JOYful moments. Let’s make 2025 your year of purposeful action — where you take intentional steps to sidestep frustrating pitfalls.   

Together we can build a financial path that supports your dreams and lets you embrace the JOY of staying on track and achieving what truly matters to you. 

The Importance of Goals and Financial Planning

It was said in Alice In Wonderland, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there”, and that is true in life.  Having goals and a plan for your future is the key to being successful and finding, maintaining, or adding joy to your year and a financial plan should be part of it.   

According to a recent study by Schwab, only 36% of Americans have a written financial plan. Among those who do, three in four say it makes them feel more in control of their finances and nearly all (96%) say they feel confident that they will reach their financial goals.  This sounds to me like having a financial plan is a way to bring more joy to your life. 

Be Prepared for Life’s Emergencies

One thing that instantly becomes a joy killer is when that pesky emergency arises, and we have all had them.  That issue with your car, the heat or AC in your home, or that unexpected leak that takes you away from working or just simply is a pain in the neck.  We all have had things happen in our lives that were unexpected and usually not welcomed.   

In addition to being a nuisance, and not joyful, there is typically a price tag that comes along with the emergency so you can get it fixed and you can get your life back into its normal routine.  The price for fixing the situation will be a whole lot easier if you have an emergency fund.  These are exactly the times you need this and why you have it.  It will allow you to find Joy in the fact that this misstep will not set you back financially.  

The Role of Insurance in Protecting JOY

An important concept that no one enjoys talking about but is a must to finding more JOY in life is insurance.  Yes, I know it is not the topic we want to be spending our weekends thinking about and may not bring you JOY when you are but it is a vital tool for you and your family.   

Whether it is life, health, long-term care, disability, homeowners, property and casualty, or liability insurance they all may have a place in your life to prevent large or often potentially catastrophic losses.  Having insurance as a protective feature in your life, not as an investment or financial plan like some would want you to think it is but it is not, can bring you Joy knowing your family is protected. 

A Starting Point for Your Year of JOY

This is by no means an exhaustive overview of what you should be planning for as the year starts to help bring joy your way, but it is a good start that once tackled will give you a feeling of accomplishment.  Once you have tackled the ideas presented here you can begin to start working on others that will help you compound the JOY factor, and we all know the power of compounding. 

Track Your Progress in Finding JOY

While you begin the work you can record how you are finding your JOY.  We have some tools to help you start working on what brings the most meaning in your life and where you derive the most JOY. 

It would be our privilege to discuss your future and how to plan for a life of purpose, meaning, and JOY!  

Please feel free to schedule a 30-minute Zoom Meeting to see how we can assist. 

Get in Touch

In just minutes we can get to know your situation, then connect you with an advisor committed to helping you pursue true wealth.

Contact Us

Stay Connected

Business professional using his tablet to check his financial numbers

401(k) Calculator

Determine how your retirement account compares to what you may need in retirement.

Get Started