Key Topics for Financial Literacy Courses

"Financial planners just talk investments" This is a common myth When in reality, we talk investments maybe 5% of the time It's half a page to 1 page of an 8-10 page plan Here's everything we cover: In our financial plans we go over - cash flow planning (and give exact monthly numbers of spending) - cash location: where you cash should be, cash accounts to have, how much to save into them - retirement planning: what accounts to use, how much into them, what assets should be in them, roth vs traditional, backdoor Roth or not, Hsa or not and how to use it, etc. - investing: all the investment recs in every account for best asset location - estate planning: what needs to be done, how, beneficiary designations, etc. - debt planning: how to pay off each debt, with how much, what to prioritize, connect them to people to help shop all debt and refinancing - insurance: every single insurance reviewed, what changes are needed, what new ones they need, etc. and connect them to the independent broker - tax planning: review their returns, map out taxes for the year, quarterly estimates, what they will owe on sales, how to lower taxes, roth conversions, etc. - business planning: qbid maximization, entity structure, how to pay yourself, what to save for taxes, retirement accounts to setup, etc. - equity comp planning: types of equity, what to exercise and not, tax liability, amt planning, what to sell, ESPP maximization, etc. - education planning: how much to save, 529 plan vs taxable vs utma, how to fund private school, what state plan to use, etc. - employee benefits: review these, help them pick what health insurance plan, hsa, fsa, disability, whether to buy more life insurance, and all others to maximize Investments are simple one part of a great financial plan

Financial Awareness Isn’t Just About Watching Your Bank Balance… It’s like thinking a single dollar tells the whole story of your wealth. Sure, every dollar matters, but there’s much more to your financial well-being. Here’s what really weaves together solid financial planning: ☑️ Clear goals and objectives. ☑️ A realistic budgeting process. ☑️ Investments that match your risk tolerance. ☑️ Strategies for reducing taxes. ☑️ Insurance to protect your assets. ☑️ Regular financial check-ups. ☑️ Adaptable plans that evolve with your life changes. ☑️ Consistent monitoring and rebalancing of your investments. ☑️ Plans for estate management and inheritance. ☑️ Transparent communication about your financial status. ☑️ Simplified financial language that you can understand. Remember, it’s not just about gathering financial tools and resources; it’s about integrating them effectively to create a financial strategy that is understandable and actionable, rather than one that is as overwhelming and complicated as a maze. P.S. Have a question about simplifying your financial plan? Drop it in the comments. #FinancialAwarenessDay

Most people were never taught how money works. And it’s costing them, every day. Financial literacy isn’t a luxury. It’s survival. But between school systems skipping the topic, Conflicting advice online, and the fear of “getting it wrong,” The gap keeps growing. Here’s How to Close Your Financial Literacy Gap 1. Understand your starting point ↳ Track income, expenses, debt, and assets ↳ You can’t fix what you don’t see 2. Learn the core concepts ↳ Budgeting, saving, investing, credit, and interest ↳ The basics are the real power tools 3. Set clear money goals ↳ Debt-free, home ownership, early retirement ↳ Direction turns random effort into results 4. Practice ongoing learning ↳ Follow credible educators, podcasts, and books ↳ Stay ahead of changes, trends, and risks 5. Fight short-term thinking ↳ Wants today vs. stability tomorrow ↳ Security is built, not stumbled upon 6. Make learning relevant ↳ Focus on skills tied to your actual goals ↳ Not all advice fits every journey 7. Apply what you learn ↳ Daily money choices shape your future ↳ Action beats “someday” every time 8. Stay consistent ↳ Review and adjust regularly ↳ Momentum compounds like interest Financial literacy isn’t a one-time class. It’s a habit you keep for life. What’s one money skill you wish you’d learned earlier? Follow me Marc Henn for more. We want to help you Retire Early, Supercharge Your Cash Flow, and Minimize Taxes. Marc Henn is a licensed Investment Adviser with Harvest Financial Advisors, a registered entity with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.