Financial planning is specific to you.
The Financial Planning Process can result in the identification of specific steps to accomplish the specific, prioritized goals of a specific individual or couple. This contrasts with the approach often used by insurance agents, investment consultants, brokers, accountants, lawyers, magazine and newspaper columnists, and some "financial planners" who seem to believe that a particular "solution" - a life insurance policy, a trust, certain stock research, a deductible transaction, etc., is the best solution to any and every need for any and every individual or couple.
The issue here is one of individualized problem solving vs. package marketing. The purchase of a life insurance policy or the implementation of a recommendation made by a journalist may, indeed be an appropriate solution to one person’s financial problem. But for the next person, this same "solution" would be a waste of resources, jeopardizing the accomplishment of important goals.
So, we are left with the need for a means to judge the advisability of one recommendation vs. another, or a method to generate recommendations based solely upon specific individual, prioritized needs with an understanding of the universe of choices and their results. The use of The Financial Planning Process, and the counsel of an experienced Certified Financial Planner practitioner can help to provide the best solutions for individuals and couples.