Personal financial planning is not a rocket science and is a continuous process that starts in a serious manner, probably from your first salary cheque. The seriousness grows, probably when you file the first income tax return. As it is usual, till that time your parents or some of the relatives play a role in fiduciary advisory capacity and you are ok. However, multiple returns , lot of parties / travel, multiple newest / sleekest gadgets and a few mandatory traditional investments later, one day you start wondering, “Hey, it’s time to get serious as I don’t know where is my money going?”. It’s usually at this point of time you start doing google searches, speak to a few peers, speak to uncles / relatives – who all tell you that it’s time to start a personal financial plan. Here, you start wondering should I Do this planning--}% myself (DIY) orhire a qualified financial planner(QFP) ? However, irrespective of your further plan of action, here are a few things that you must DO YOURSELVES before building a financial planning for yourself.