Understanding Your Goals

To become a successful investor, you need to understand your goals before you can make decisions that fit those goals. By aligning investment strategies with your individual needs and long-term financial plan, you'll have a much better chance of reaching your goals by creating a well-rounded investment portfolio. Before you consider individual investments, ask yourself these questions:

Where do I want to be, financially? Your goals may include things you want to buy, security in retirement, or planning for a child or grandchild's education.
How will I get there? To achieve your goals you need a strategy. It should be based on whether you want to protect your money, grow it, earn income from it, or achieve some combination of all three.
When do I want to accomplish my goals? Different timeframes normally require different strategies.
What will get me there? Certain investments may be better suited than others, or have greater potential, to help you achieve your goals.
What risks could be involved? Based on the strategy you choose, you will encounter specific risks. You must assess each risk to see whether it can be managed (controlled and reduced) and whether it's worth accepting.

AARP Financial Inc. does not provide tax advice. Please consult a tax advisor for information pertaining to your particular situation.

The information and content provided herein is general in nature and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended, and should not be construed, as a specific recommendation, or legal, tax or investment advice, or a legal opinion. Individuals should contact their own professional tax or investment advisors or other professionals to help answer questions about specific situations or needs prior to taking any action plan based on this information.

The Financial Advisors are investment adviser representatives of AARP Financial Inc., an investment adviser.

While AARP endorses the services provided by AARP Financial Inc., AARP does not offer financial products or services itself and cannot recommend that you or any specific individual should purchase any particular product or service. AARP Financial Inc. is an investment adviser and a subsidiary of AARP.