Financial Planning with Clarity and Confidence by Mari Delgado

MARI
DELGADO

When it comes to money, many people, especially women, carry feelings of uncertainty, hesitation, or even shame about what they “should” already know.

Financial planning isn’t about keeping up with anyone else’s milestones. It’s about finding clarity, making intentional choices, and moving forward confidently from wherever you are today.

When done right, planning is approachable, empowering, and truly transformative. It doesn’t require a perfect starting point, just the courage to take that first step. I think of my boys’ wobbly first steps: tentative at first, but with a little support, they were soon running full speed… and never looking back.

Why Confidence Matters in Money Decisions

Confidence doesn’t come from knowing all the answers, it comes from learning how to ask the right questions:

• What does a financial plan look like for my life stage and business goals?

• Which investment approach aligns with my risk tolerance?

• Will my advisor put my interests first?

• Have they guided women through scenarios like mine?

• How am I paying for these services, and what value do I receive?

By building financial confidence, you can shift from feeling overwhelmed or uncertain to feeling clear, capable, and in control of your decisions.

That confidence grows when you:

• Understand the basics of investing and protection in plain language.

• Know how to assess opportunities in a way that aligns with your personal goals and values.

• Recognize that money decisions aren’t about comparison, they’re about creating the future YOU want.

Preparing for a Chapter That Could Last 30 or 40+ Years

Today’s reality is that retirement isn’t a short chapter at the end of life, it can last three or even four decades. That means planning for retirement is less about crossing a finish line and more about building a house you’ll want to live in for the long haul. One of the most important questions in retirement is “Which account do I draw from first?”

Deciding which account to tap first (taxable, tax-deferred, or tax-free) can dramatically affect how long your resources last and how much you keep for your dreams. A vetted advisor helps you map out a withdrawal strategy that fits your definition of success, whether that’s travel, real estate, or leaving a legacy.

Think of your financial world like a home:

Foundation: Your foundation is built on steady income streams of Social Security, rental income, pensions, annuities, or investment withdrawal which keep your lifestyle supported.
Framework and Extensions: As your needs grow or change, you may “add an extension” to the house by shifting strategies.  How does this play out? 
Fireproofing: Just as you’d protect a house from risk, your finances need protection too. This means having adequate insurance, managing taxes efficiently, and making sure assets are safeguarded against unexpected shocks.

If you’re an entrepreneur, your financial “house” comes with extra wings and doors that need attention. Running a business can create incredible opportunities, but it can also expose you to risks that wage earners may not face.

A skilled planner who understands both personal and business finance uncovers blind spots, builds resilient structures, and helps ensure your company thrives alongside your personal goals.

Key Takeaways for Your Financial Journey 

1. Understand Key Investment Types: Investing doesn’t have to be complicated. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate are simply tools, each with different purposes, timelines, and risks. Understanding them in plain language helps remove the mystery and makes you the driver of your own choices.

2. Shift from Fear to Confidence: Many people hesitate to action because they’re afraid of making a mistake.  Asking questions and being answered without jargon in a clear manner is your right as a client.  Be wary of an online calculator or another professional giving you vague answers without metrics and analytics

3. Discover Your Starting Point without Judgment: Whether you’re starting with $10,000 or $1,000,000, the first step is simply knowing where you are today. Financial planning is about understanding where you are, where you're going, and feeling good about it.

4. Assess Risk and Choose Protection Wisely: Understanding how insurance, emergency savings, and risk management fit into your plan ensures your financial foundation is strong. These need to be reviewed as your dynamics change and your world grows.

5. Connect Your Money to Your Story: Your personal journey, your career, family, values, and goals, short and long term do matter.  By aligning your financial decisions with your life story, your plan becomes not just about money, but about purpose.

Moving Forward:

You don’t need a perfect roadmap to begin, and you don’t have to go it alone. Working with a trusted advisor who sees the full picture (investments, taxes, estate planning, and business risks) gives you a clear, integrated plan built for your life and your legacy.

Financial confidence isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress, empowerment, and the freedom to shape your future on YOUR terms.

Representatives do not provide tax and/or legal advice. Any discussion of taxes is for general informational purposes only, does not purport to be complete or cover every situation, and should not be construed as legal, tax or accounting advice. Clients should confer with their qualified legal, tax and accounting advisors as appropriate. Some health insurance products offered by unaffiliated insurers. Maria Delgado is a registered representative of and offers securities and investment advisory services through MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC.

CRN202809-9463524