If you’ve been following my Financial Planning Made Simple series, you know I’m giving away the same methods and tools I use to build financial plans—so you can do it yourself.
But should you? That’s another question entirely.
When the Expert Becomes the Client
I’ve been creating financial plans for clients since 1998. I’ve also built one for myself—and I follow it. You might be surprised how many advisors don’t.
You’ve probably heard the old saying about the cobbler whose kids have no shoes. It’s an old Spanish saying about experts being so busy they forget to attend to their own affairs.
My dad was an ophthalmologist, yet he missed the fact that my brother had amblyopia—a lazy eye. The fix is simple: patch the strong eye so the weak one has to work harder.
He was so busy building his practice that he forgot to give his own kids eye exams. Eventually, he caught it and everything turned out fine—but you see my point. Even experts can miss what’s right in front of them.
The DIY Question
So, should you DIY your financial plan? Maybe.
It depends on your comfort level, your skills, and how much time you want to invest.
Think of it like this: you can buy house plans in a book. If you’re handy, you might even build a small cabin yourself. But a custom home—one that fits your land, lifestyle, and future—is another story. For that, you’d likely want an architect and a competent builder.
Your financial plan works the same way. It’s your blueprint for building the life you want. Can you do it yourself?Â
Yes. Should you? That depends.
The Tools You’ll Need
Over the years, I’ve developed tools to make planning simpler:
- Templates for tracking net worth, cash flow, and spending plan.
- Systems for managing digital envelopes and allocations.
- Frameworks for investing like dollar-cost averaging and understanding other rules of investing.
If you follow along with this series, you can absolutely create your own plan.
The question is: Is this the best use of your time? And will the results match what an experienced advisor can help you achieve?
Why Working With a Professional Often Pays Off
In most areas of life, experience matters. You’ll likely get better fitness results with a trainer. A stronger home with a skilled builder. And a more resilient financial plan with an experienced advisor.
Advisors don’t just build plans—they help clients implement them, adjust course, and stay grounded through market ups and downs. A great financial plan isn’t just numbers—it’s structure, perspective, and staying power.
You can do it yourself. But with the right advisor, you may be able to do it better.
🏡 Your plan is your blueprint — but every builder has questions.
🔍 Explore my Financial Planning Made Simple FAQ for tools, templates, and step-by-step guidance.
