The bedrock of a one-page plan isn't a number—it's a reason. Richards emphasizes that before you open a spreadsheet, you must answer one critical question: .
This is the most powerful part of the exercise. If your “Why” requires $2,000/month in retirement income but your “Where” shows you saving only $200/month, you have identified your real work. The gap tells you exactly what to focus on. The bedrock of a one-page plan isn't a
Creating a financial plan doesn't require a 50-page document or complex accounting. Carl Richards, author of The One-Page Financial Plan If your “Why” requires $2,000/month in retirement income
Most finance books focus on formulas (compound interest, asset allocation). Richards focuses on . He argues that personal finance is 20% knowledge and 80% behavior. You can have the perfect portfolio on paper, but if you panic-sell during a market dip, the math doesn’t matter. Carl Richards, author of The One-Page Financial Plan
: Financial planning involves making educated guesses about the future; the key is to start and adjust as life changes.