Most people build financial plans around numbers, but what if that’s not enough? You might be saving consistently, investing wisely, and staying within your budget, but you still feel like something’s missing. That’s often because the financial plan was built around external goals, not internal values.
A values-driven financial plan helps bridge the gap between financial success and personal fulfillment. It asks deeper questions, like what kind of life you want to live and what truly matters to you, before jumping into dollars and cents. If you’ve never considered this perspective before, now’s a good time to explore it.
Identify What Matters Most To You
The first step in values-based financial planning is defining your core values. These are the principles or beliefs that guide your decisions in life, things like family, independence, service, creativity, or personal growth. Ask yourself:
- How do I envision my life in the coming years?
- What moments have made me feel most proud or content?
- What causes or people do I feel most compelled to support?
Your financial goals should grow out of these reflections. When they do, saving, investing, and budgeting stop being chores and start feeling like steps toward something meaningful.
Recognize Your Money Mindset
Your upbringing, culture, and life experiences all shape how you view and use money. Some people are natural savers; others are more impulsive spenders. Some may feel anxious about money, while others are overly confident.
Understanding your money mindset helps you make intentional decisions. You may realize, for example, that you’re saving out of fear rather than purpose, or that you’re spending to impress others rather than fulfill your personal goals.
Look At Where Your Money Is Going
Now, it’s time to evaluate your spending. Do your current financial habits align with what you care about? For instance, if you value health and wellness, are you investing in nutritious food, fitness, or mental health? If family is your topmost priority, are your finances supporting it?
Many people discover gaps between their values and their actual financial behavior. The good news? First step toward making a change is finding the issue.
Try tracking your expenses for a month, then categorize each item as either “aligned with my values” or “not aligned.” You might be surprised at what you find and inspired to shift how you spend.
Align Your Investments With Your Beliefs
Your values don’t have to stop at the checkout counter, they can extend to how you grow your wealth. Socially responsible investing (SRI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing are two ways to make sure your portfolio reflects your ethical beliefs.
Are there industries you’d prefer not to support, like fossil fuels or tobacco? Or do you want to invest in clean energy, healthcare innovation, or companies that prioritize employee well-being?
By working with a financial advisor who understands these options, you can build an investment strategy that supports your financial growth while staying true to your convictions.
Revisit And Adjust As Life Changes
Just like your life isn’t static, your values and goals aren’t either. Major life events like marriage, parenthood, a new career, and retirement can all shift your priorities. So, it’s quite necessary to review your financial plan at least once a year. Ask yourself:
- Are my goals still aligned with what I value most?
- Have my priorities shifted?
- Is my money helping me live the life I want?
Don’t be afraid to make changes if you feel like it. A flexible plan that evolves with you is far more effective than one that’s rigid and outdated.
Summing It Up
A truly meaningful financial plan doesn’t just tell you how to save or invest, it helps you live intentionally. When your finances reflect your personal values, you’re not just building wealth; you’re creating a life that feels rich in every sense of the word.So, is your financial plan aligned with your values? If you’re unsure, now’s the perfect time to contact a reputable financial advisor in Portland, Oregon. Lifelong Wealth Management provides you with one of the best options for wealth management in Tualatin and surrounding areas!
