Why You Should Work with a Financial Planner in Your 30s
If you’re in your 30s, chances are you’ve got a lot on your plate. You’re likely well into your career, maybe you’re thinking about starting a family or buying a home, and somewhere in the back of your mind, there’s the constant reminder to save for retirement. But let’s be honest: with all the competing financial priorities in life, it’s easy to feel like you’re just treading water. This is exactly why your 30s are the perfect time to start working with a financial planner.
By this point, you’ve probably moved past the “broke college student” phase, and your income has (hopefully) seen some nice growth. But with that increase in income comes more complex financial decisions. You’re at a place where you’re making more than you ever have, but you also have more goals to achieve, mouths to feed, and less time to figure out if you’re doing ok. Money is tough because there are infinite places for our finite resources to go.
“And time is on your side” – Coldplay
One of the most significant advantages you have in your 30s is time. You’ve still got a couple of decades before retirement, and that’s a huge opportunity to build wealth—if you make the right moves now. The last thing you want is to wake up at 50 and realize you missed out on decades of compound growth. You’ve got time on your side, but you need to use it wisely.
In your 30s, you have more control over your financial trajectory than you will later in life. You’ve got time to adjust, increase your savings rate, invest smartly, and make course corrections. By the time you’re closer to retirement, your options start to narrow. You can’t go back and add more to your 401(k) or increase your savings from years ago. That’s why the actions you take now are so crucial.
A financial planner helps you focus on what matters: your saving rate, spending habits, asset allocation, and long-term plan. By taking charge of these controllable factors, you’re setting yourself up for success, no matter what the economy throws your way.
“I don’t want to feel like I’m missing something” – Most People I Talk With Before We Build a Plan
Here’s something else I’ve noticed: in our 30s, we’re often more prone to making emotional financial decisions. We wouldn’t call them that, but it shows up as the temptation to splurge on a new car or get caught up in the latest investment trend because we’re afraid we’re missing out on easy money. I’ve also seen people hyper-focus on paying off debt, only to forget about investing for the future. A financial planner acts as a sounding board, helping you avoid these common pitfalls and keep you heading in the right direction with a balance that makes sense for you.
Life changes—a lot. Maybe you’re starting a family, switching careers, or deciding to go back to school. Whatever the case, your financial plan needs to adapt along with those changes.
Working with a financial planner means you’ve got someone in your corner, helping you navigate these shifts and adjust your financial strategy accordingly. It’s not just about retirement; it’s about making sure you’re prepared for whatever life throws at you, whether it’s unexpected expenses, new opportunities, or changes in your priorities.
Why Start in Your 30s?
Some people think financial planning is only for the wealthy or that you need to have everything figured out before sitting down with a planner. The reality? Your 30s are one of the best times to start planning, even if your finances aren’t perfect.
Why? Because you still have time to make meaningful changes. You have the power to set yourself on a course that leads to real financial security—not just in retirement, but throughout your life.
The earlier you take action, the more flexibility you’ll have down the road. By starting now, you can make thoughtful choices that give you peace of mind and a solid trajectory.
