Why 99% of People Fail to Reach their Financial Goals and How to Get It Right
Imagine setting off on a road trip without Google Maps, Siri or Waze. Without a little blue dot to follow, how likely are you to reach your destination? Without planning, that’s how most people manage their money—often off course without even realizing it because they never had directions (or a map!).
At Stash Wealth, we know that planning is the only way to reach your destination. Here’s what we believe.
The Traditional Model: Planning as a Privilege
Many firms operate under the "Assets Under Management" (AUM) model. Their primary focus is on managing investments, often requiring a significant initial investment to even access the rest of their services. It’s like they’re saying, “Show us the money first, and then we’ll talk about your goals.”
Financial planning, if available at all, is often reserved for high-net-worth clients. This leaves most people without the exact service that they need to actually move the needle on their financial future.
Our Approach: Planning as a Prerequisite
We believe that your 30s are a pivotal time in your financial life, a period where custom planning and advice are absolutely essential—even more so than later on when you've accumulated significant wealth. Unfortunately, this is precisely the time when most traditional firms deem you "unworthy" of their services. They're focused on managing large portfolios, leaving those who need guidance the most without a roadmap.
That's why we've flipped the traditional model on its head at Stash Wealth. We require all our clients to engage in a comprehensive financial planning process—The Stash Plan—before any investment management begins. We believe that everyone, regardless of their current financial situation, deserves access to quality financial planning, especially during those crucial years when taking that step has a greater ROI.
Just like a cross-country road trip needs a map, you don’t want to wake up one day and find yourself lost in the desert thousands of miles from the financial success you were hoping for.
Financial planning is the critical first step: once you define your goals, understand your financial situation, and identify the steps to reach your destination, you can put your strategy into action, relax, and know you’re making progress.
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Why This Matters
A financial plan IS your roadmap. It gives you the clarity to see where you’re headed and the confidence to know you’ll get there (and when). It ensures every dollar has a purpose—whether it’s building your dream life now, retiring early, or getting a Cybertruck (we’re only judging a little).
Without a plan, financial decisions feel like random guesses. But with one, you stop second-guessing every move or feeling guilty when you splurge. Instead, you unlock the freedom to enjoy your life today while building an even stronger one tomorrow.
Planning provides the clarity that transforms your ambition into tangible results.
The Power of Goals-Based Investing
At Stash Wealth, we take planning a step further by integrating it with a goals-based investment framework. This means your investment portfolio is specifically designed to help you achieve your individual goals.
Think of it like this, saving for a down payment in 5 years should look very different from investing for retirement in 30 years. That’s why we create individual “buckets” for each of your goals, each with its own strategy.
Unlike other advisors who slap a single risk tolerance across your portfolio, we optimize every dollar to work toward a specific milestone—so you know exactly how and when you’ll hit your targets.
You can read more about Stash Wealth’s Investment Philosophy here.
The Bottom Line
Our commitment to a planning-led, goals-based approach sets us apart. We believe that everyone deserves a clear path to financial well-being. By putting planning first and tailoring investment strategies to individual goals, we empower our clients to make informed decisions, achieve their goals, and build a secure financial future.
Don’t leave your future to chance. Schedule a call today and let’s map out your journey to success.
The F. Word
Ready for some real talk on how to master your money? Pull up a chair and pour yourself a glass.
Financial Planning For 30-Somethings
Whether you’re saving for Tahiti or a Tesla, we help you reach your goals and make the most of your money.
