Adaptability: Change must happen and your present situation must also be taken care of. Your plan needs to have guarantees and the ability to be flexible. Market cycles will occur and they are based on theories, Government Controls and Taxation. All things are Impermanent and transitory. Taking some of the risk out of investment planning.

Savings: Short and long term. Part should have immediate availability for present-day requirements, (less than five years). Part should have secure asset values for the future, (five plus years), for the more important needs and goals. Liquidity – Discipline – Consistency – Guarantees.

Protection: What are the risks? Who and what need's to be covered? How long is the exposure? What ifs? Start now to keep cost down and health is still good. Protection is not just the risk benefit coverage. It is also the cash benefit when you are alive and healthy. Suit and debt protection. Who will complete your plans, if you can’t? No cost for protection?

Investment: Sound planning to stay with and grow with economic times. Risk money? Consider the Lost Opportunity Cost. (Taxation, Insurance, Long term and dollar-cost averaging, Investment management fees, Loss of earnings on other cost based products). Will you have control and privacy of your money?

Retirement: Use time to your advantage. Only personal and appropriate planning can guarantee sound retirement. More time to attain goals. Using this planning goal with the other principles will in all likelihood take care of most of your other financial needs. Wealth accumulation and independence.

Emergency: What next? Financial fitness to meet sudden woes and take advantage of quick bargains. Layoffs, Market Declines, Dependent’s Problems, Property Repairs and Losses, the list can go on. The ability to change plans and acquire things when most needed. Avoid government penalties and taxes.