How to Prepare for a Meeting with Your Financial Planner

Meeting with a financial planner is one of the best steps you can take toward building a secure financial future. But if you arrive unprepared, you may miss valuable opportunities to get personalized, actionable advice. Whether this is your first consultation or an annual check-in, preparation can help you get the most out of your time. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to prepare for your meeting with a financial planner so you can leave feeling confident about your next steps.

1. Clarify Your Financial Goals

Before your meeting, ask yourself: What do I want my money to do for me?
List out both your short-term and long-term financial goals. Be as specific as possible.

Examples of common financial goals include:

• Retiring at a certain age
• Saving for a down payment on a home
• Funding a child’s college education
• Starting a business
• Paying off debt
• Building an emergency fund
• Leaving a legacy for loved ones

Instead of a vague goal like “Save for retirement,” try something like “Retire at 60 with enough income to travel internationally once a year.” The clearer your goals, the easier it will be for your planner to design a strategy.

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2. Gather Your Financial Documents

Your financial planner will need a complete snapshot of your current financial situation. Bringing the right paperwork ensures they can make accurate, tailored recommendations.

Key documents to bring include:

• Recent account statements (401(k), IRA, brokerage, savings, checking)
• Pay stubs or income statements
• A budget or list of monthly expenses
• Last one or two years of tax returns
• Insurance policies (life, disability, long-term care)
• Estate planning documents (wills, trusts, powers of attorney)
• Records of outstanding debts (credit cards, mortgages, loans)

This documentation helps your planner spot opportunities, identify gaps, and make informed decisions.

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3. Discuss Life Changes

Your financial plan should adapt as your life changes. If you’ve recently experienced — or expect to experience — a major life event, bring it up during your meeting.

Examples include:

• A new job or promotion
• Marriage or divorce
• Welcoming a child
• A child starting college
• Caring for an elderly parent

Even if nothing major has happened yet, discussing potential future changes can help make your plan more resilient.

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4. Review Your Current Investment Approach

If you already have investments, be prepared to discuss performance, risk levels, and whether your portfolio aligns with your goals.

Ask yourself:

• Am I comfortable with my portfolio’s risk level?
• How did I respond to recent market changes?
• Is my asset allocation still appropriate?
• Do I understand how taxes, inflation, or life expectancy might affect my investments?

If you’re new to investing, your financial planner can explain key concepts and guide you through your options.

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5. Prepare Questions for Your Planner

A financial planner should welcome your questions. Asking the right ones helps you understand their process and ensures you’re comfortable with their recommendations.

You might ask:

• Are you a fiduciary?
• How are you compensated (fee-only, commission, or both)?
• What is your planning process?
• How will you tailor your advice to my goals and risk tolerance?
• How often will we review my plan?

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6. Define Your Working Relationship

Think about how involved you want to be in managing your finances. Do you prefer regular updates and check-ins, or are you comfortable with quarterly reviews? Would you like to use online tools to track your progress, or do you prefer in-person meetings? Communicating these preferences will help your planner meet your expectations.

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The bottom line

A financial planner can help you build a path toward your goals, but only if you give them a clear view of your finances and priorities. Treat the meeting like a doctor’s appointment: honest input and preparation lead to better advice and outcomes.

💡 Pro Tip: A comprehensive financial plan includes not just investments and savings, but also insurance coverage to protect what you’ve worked hard to build. At Neighborhood Insurance Agency, we work hand-in-hand with clients and their financial planners to ensure you have the right coverage for every stage of life. Contact us today to learn how we can help protect your financial future while you grow it.