Many financial people believe that once you develop a plan you need to stick with it, no matter what happens.

But life is not linear.

Flexibility is crucial when creating a financial plan because life is unpredictable.

No matter how carefully you map out your financial future, unexpected events will inevitably occur that require you to adapt your plan. Job changes, health issues, family emergencies, and economic downturns are just a few examples of the curveballs life can throw.

Building flexibility into your financial plan allows you to weather these storms without derailing your long-term goals. It means having an emergency fund to cover surprise expenses, maintaining adequate insurance coverage, and keeping some investments in liquid assets. It also means periodically reviewing and adjusting your plan as your circumstances change over time.

The alternative - a rigid, inflexible financial plan - is a recipe for stress and disappointment. When the inevitable happens and you need to change course, you'll find yourself scrambling to catch up. Flexibility gives you the resilience to handle life's ups and downs while still making steady progress toward your financial objectives.