Long-time listeners of the Framework podcast know one of the hosts’ favorite questions is about their guests’ first money memory. While it serves as an ideal conversation starter, they also realize the incredible impact past experiences have on your outlook and relationship with money throughout your life.
The concept of how your money history influences you is one of the key premises of the new book Find Your Freedom: Financial Planning for a Life on Purpose, by Jamie Hopkins, Esq., CFP®, Managing Partner of Wealth Solutions at Carson Group, and Ron Carson, CFP®, founder and CEO of Carson Group.
Jamie hopes readers come away with two key conclusions. The first is that they need the courage to take control of their financial life and give themselves permission to do what they want.
“Don’t let the world tell you what to do. You can live the life you want,” he says.
The second is to take those goals and apply the financial planning process to attaining that customized vision of your life.
Big goals are made up of small goals and daily choices, which is why Jamie is intentional with his own planning. Each year he identifies his personal and professional goals, and each day he writes down the six most important things he wants to accomplish to move him closer to them.
Often, those goals involve his health, underscoring his proactive approach to protecting health through nutrition and exercise, rather than figuring out how to deal with ailments as they arise. Sometimes that might entail spending money, such as on a personal trainer or a dietitian.
“Prioritizing an action through an investment can make the behavior stickier and is likely to make you more committed,” he says.
In today’s episode, Ana talks to Jamie about how his process for goal-setting has evolved over the years, how to use gifting occasions to reflect your loved ones’ values, the creative way he helps his kids prioritize philanthropy and how his grandparents’ relative health and wealth helped him set his own goals in those areas.
Key Takeaways
- Help your clients go deep with one goal. If you spend enough time discussing the big goal, you will identify smaller goals that have actionable steps.
- If you can’t start work on the goal immediately, it’s the wrong goal.
- Remember that pursuing financial freedom is a process. Sometimes, you need to focus on taking care of basic necessities.
Quote
“There is no better place to invest than in ourselves. Many people underspend time, energy and money on health, but in truth, health comes before wealth.” – Jamie Hopkins
Links
- Find Your Freedom: Financial Planning for a Life on Purpose
- Jamie Hopkins and the FinServ Foundation
- Jamie Hopkins on LinkedIn
- Jamie Hopkins on Twitter
Carson Group is dedicated to helping advisors work with clients at all ages and stages to advance financial literacy. Schedule a consultation to learn how we can help you grow your business and drive impact.
