When we start working with a client we have extensive discussions with them about what they want to achieve, and where possible we quantify those (put a $ value next to them.)

We then update these every year at our Annual Review meeting.  We tell them what their goals were in the previous year and we go through the list and tick off what has been achieved and adding any new goals.

This helps us get a feel for how much the clients are spending now - which is a key factor in developing the personalised Retirement Savings Analysis, but also in ensuring that money is properly allocated for each project.  It is important that we understand what is happening in our clients life to help them to achieve their goals.