Colin Mackenzie, CFP is down to earth. Unlike the stereotypical 'money guy,' he's not driven by money. He uses his expertise and background to live his life the way he chooses, a freedom many people can have by following some basic advice when setting up their financial plan.

Mackenzie is the Regional Director of Financial Network, but the title doesn't really describe what he does. Part financial planner and part life coach, Mackenzie knows that making decisions about money is often a very emotional process for clients. There's a stigma attached to talking about money, and as I sat in his office, I found my palms a little sweaty and a flush creeping up my face.

Mackenzie is a professional with an impressive resume. His experience and approachability put me at ease. Before our meeting, he emailed me a few questions to consider. "What you really want? Where your treasure lies in life? Looking back in 20 years what do you really want to be able to say about that 20 years and what role will money have to play to help you get there?"

This set the tone of the meeting, and I knew that I wasn't just going to get advice as to which mutual fund to invest in (although he's very knowledgeable on that too). I was getting a personalized experience, where he listened to my goals and expectations and hopes for my life, and helped me figure out how to get there.

My next step in adding to my net worth is to work towards buying my first property. He stressed that putting away 10% of my monthly income for a down payment was the way to go. He also had me set a deadline for myself, a period of time where I would towards increasing my income to allow for a mortgage payment. The rule of thumb is your mortgage payment should be around 25% of your monthly income, but Mackenzie widens the window, saying he would be concerned if it was over 40%. The point is to work your budget around a specific goal, like owning a home.

Money is often tied into self-image, said Mackenzie. People define themselves by it instead of viewing it as a resource to accomplish what is needed. He writes a monthly newsletter that he sends out to clients and friends that features common sense principles that most people easily forget.

Living in the “What” as Opposed to the “If”
Instead of thinking, If I had X amount of dollars in the bank I would do this, Mackenzie suggests asking what do I need to do to accomplish this? The subtle change in how you look at money opens up possibilities that seem overwhelming to accomplish.

3 Beliefs, 3 Behaviors
Many investors think they can work the market to make a quick dollar, and sometimes they do get lucky, said Mackenzie. But smart investing follows the 3 beliefs and 3 behaviors.

Mackenzie stresses the importance of being a wise consumer of financial advice. It's important to know whether the person giving you advice is putting themselves in your shoes when making decisions. One distinction is financial planners who work from a fee and those who work on commission. Planners who work on commission make more money for their firm by landing new clients than by providing consistent growth with existing clients.

It is ultimately important to work with someone you feel comfortable with, who can answer direct questions with direct answers. If you are confused or unsure of the person you are meeting with, then it's likely they aren't the right financial planner for you.

Financial Network, 301 E. Colorado Blvd., #400, Pasadena, (626) 795-8896.