Building Forward: Your Financial Plan After the First 90 Days

Turning clarity into long-term confidence

 

A Quick Perspective

By now, you’ve:

• Organized your finances
• Identified key decisions
• Started moving forward

 

The first 90 days are about stabilization. The next stage is about building a life that works long-term.

 

Phase 4: Months 3-6 - Build Your Foundation

Focus: Stability, structure, and confidence

☐ Finalize your income plan (Where is your monthly income coming from)

☐ Confirm your spending framework (What is sustainable, not just today, but long-term)

☐ Simplify and organize your accounts (Fewer accounts, clearer structure)

☐ Begin aligning your investments with your needs (Income, stability, flexibility, not just growth)

☐ Address immediate tax considerations

Critical Principle: Every decision should reinforce your long-term security and clarity.

Phase 5: Months 6-12 - Strengthen & Protect

Focus: Long-term security and protection

☐ Build a long-term income strategy (How your money supports you over time)

☐ Review and adjust your investment structure

☐ Plan for major future decisions (Downsizing, relocation, retirement timing)

☐ Review insurance and risk protection

☐ Update estate planning fully (will, beneficiaries, powers of attorney)

Critical Principle: Proactively protect your future by anticipating risks and adapting as life changes.

Phase 6: Ongoing - Stay Aligned & in Control

Focus: Adaptation and confidence

☐ Review your plan regularly (at least annually)

☐ Adjust for life changes (income, family, health, priorities)

☐ Monitor spending vs. plan

☐ Continue simplifying where possible

☐ Stay focused on what matters, it’s easy to get distracted

Critical Principle: Stay proactive and flexible to keep your plan aligned with your evolving life.

Common Mistakes to Avoid at This Stage

• Making investment decisions without a clear income plan
• Holding onto assets for emotional reasons
• Letting complexity build up
• Avoiding decisions because things feel “good enough”

What This Stage is Really About

This is where you move from:

• Reacting → Planning
• Uncertainty → Confidence
• Managing → Leading your financial life

Final Thought

You don’t need to have everything figured out.

But you do need: A structure that supports your life today and in the years ahead.

If you’re looking for a friendly, no-pressure conversation about your situation, I’d be glad to help you explore where you stand and discuss your next steps together. My goal is to make things clear and comfortable for you, just let me know how I can support you.

Ilan Zor
Wealth Advisor

Disclaimer

CIBC Private Wealth consists of services provided by CIBC and certain of its subsidiaries, through CIBC Private Banking; CIBC Private Investment Counsel, a division of CIBC Asset Management Inc. (“CAM”); CIBC Trust Corporation; and CIBC Wood Gundy, a division of CIBC World Markets Inc. (“WMI”). CIBC Private Banking provides solutions from CIBC Investor Services Inc. (“ISI”), CAM and credit products. CIBC Private Wealth services are available to qualified individuals. The CIBC logo and “CIBC Private Wealth” are trademarks of CIBC, used under license. “Wood Gundy” is a registered trademark of CIBC World Markets Inc. If you are currently a CIBC Wood Gundy client, please contact your Investment Advisor.