A solid financial plan ought to cover a thorough look at your personal goals and aspirations, alongside an evaluation of your investment holdings. It should map out your expected income and expenses both before and after retirement, weigh the pros and cons of different retirement and investment account options, and outline strategies for retirement preparation, tax efficiency, charitable contributions, and safeguarding your assets through insurance.

On top of that, it should offer clear, actionable advice and steps to turn your goals into reality. To guide you toward the best decisions, a good plan will also lay out a variety of potential scenarios—plus some alternative ones—for you to consider.