National Financial Planning Month | 8 Questions, Answers & Action
October is National Financial Planning Month, a good reminder to pause, assess and take action on your financial life. Whether you’re saving for retirement, managing debt, helping kids through college, or caring for parents, the right plan can turn financial stress into financial confidence.
Working with a qualified financial advisor isn’t about handing over control, it’s about gaining perspective, structure, and accountability. Research continues to show that individuals who partner with financial planners experience greater confidence, stronger savings habits, and better preparedness for life’s big moments. 1,2
Below are ten common questions clients ask, along with answers and actionable steps you can take today:
1. Why should I work with a professional planner?
A financial planner helps connect every part of your financial life into one cohesive strategy. They identify blind spots, help you set measurable goals, and keep you accountable through changing markets. The CFP Board reports that 78% of clients working with a CFP maintain a sufficient emergency fund, compared to 68% of those who do not.1
Action: Schedule an initial or annual planning meeting with a credentialed advisor. Bring a full overview of your finances and life goals to create a clear, integrated roadmap.
2. How can a planner help me stay disciplined and reduce financial stress?
One of the greatest values an advisor provides is behavioral coaching. They can help you stay calm and make decisions based in logic and experience, not emotions, during periods of market volatility. According to Forbes, investors who receive professional guidance are far less likely to make rash moves that harm their long-term results.3 Consistent advice helps reduce anxiety and build confidence in your plan.
Action: Identify your biggest financial worries and share them with your advisor. Together, you can create strategies to reduce uncertainty and stay on course.
3. How does professional guidance impact goal achievement?
Regular reviews are key to progress. According to the CFP Board, 44% of clients who review their plans more than once a year report better goal achievement, versus just 23% who review less frequently.1 Consistent check-ins help you stay aligned with your goals and make timely adjustments.
Action: Set up two review meetings each year. Use them to update projections, rebalance investments, and keep momentum.
4. How detailed should a financial plan be?
A comprehensive plan includes every aspect of your financial life. This includes everything from investments and taxes to estate planning and retirement readiness. Clients with detailed written plans (55%) report higher confidence than those without (38%).1 A well-documented plan becomes your financial roadmap, keeping you focused amid life’s changes.
Action: Request a written, measurable plan from your advisor. Review and refine it at least twice a year to ensure it reflects your current goals.
5. How can planning help me navigate market volatility?
A well-constructed plan prevents knee-jerk reactions when markets fluctuate. Fidelity found that only 5.5% of savers changed their investment allocation in Q2 2025, and those who stayed disciplined benefited most from rebounds.2 Staying focused on long-term goals helps you ride out short-term turbulence.
Action: Review your risk tolerance and investment mix with your advisor. Plan ahead for volatility rather than reacting emotionally when it occurs.
6. How does financial planning support long-term savings?
Advised investors consistently save more. Fidelity reports that clients working with advisors contribute 14.3% of income, compared to 10.2% for self-directed investors.2 That difference compounds significantly over time.
Action: Increase your savings rate by at least 1–2% this month. Even small, consistent changes can create meaningful long-term growth.
7. How can a financial plan improve everyday financial confidence?
A written plan brings clarity and control to daily financial decisions. Forbes found that households with formal financial plans are 60% more confident about meeting their future goals.3 Knowing where you stand helps reduce stress and fosters better communication around money.
Action: Write down your top three short-term and long-term goals. Review them with your advisor to align your plan with what truly matters to you.
8. When should I revisit or adjust my plan?
Your financial plan should evolve as your life does. Major milestones, including a new job, home, or family change, warrant an update. Also, frequent reviews, as outlined earlier, correlate with higher success rates and greater client satisfaction.1
Action: Mark your calendar for an annual “financial checkup” month. Make it as non-negotiable as your physical or dental exam.
9. How can I make the most of Financial Planning Month?
Financial Planning Month only serves as a reminder of the importance financial planning has in your future success. There is no better time to take meaningful actions than the present, so don't wait. Use this season as motivation to refresh your goals and strengthen your financial habits.
Action: Choose one tangible goal, paying off debt, building savings, updating your estate plan, etc., and commit to completing it before year-end. If you don't already meet consistently with a financial advisor, make sure to schedule recurring meetings to ensure your positioning reflects your current financial situation and goals.
Use Financial Planning Month as your reminder to take action action. With ongoing economic shifts, rising life expectancies, and evolving life stages (kids, careers, homes, retirement), now is the time to connect with an advisor who understands your full picture. Research consistently shows that people who work with qualified advisors experience greater confidence, stronger savings behavior, and less anxiety about the future.
Small steps, taken consistently, create lasting results. Start today by reviewing your goals, scheduling your next planning meeting, and building momentum toward financial clarity.
More financial planning month tips
Sources
- CFP Board, “Americans Working with CFP Professionals Enjoy Greater Financial Well-Being” (2025).
- Fidelity Investments, “Q2 2025 Retirement Analysis” (2025).
- Forbes, “Financial Planning and Investor Behavior” (2025).
- SmartAsset, “The Value of Working with a Financial Advisor” (2025).
- CFP Board, “A CFP Professional’s Impact Beyond the Money” (2025).