There are many ways to develop a financial plan

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As working people have their T4s in hand by end of February, many are thinking of putting their personal finances in order at this time of year. Those who are living paycheque to paycheque are often scrambling from February to April to determine their financial position and hoping that when they file their income tax return they won't owe the government.

Or maybe their finances are in such a mess that they simply don't bother filing a return at all, which becomes a bigger nightmare when they finally face up to it.

There's much frantic searching through boxes and files for receipts, then holding their breath until the local tax preparer gives the verdict, good or bad.

If the news is good, there's a feeling of relief and celebratory joy, often followed by a mental note to get the finances organized for next year. But all too often, people forget.

Sadly, filing income tax returns in the hope of getting a refund is about all the financial planning some people ever do. When tax time is over, it's back to earning, spending and borrowing, not necessarily in that order. But you know there is a better way.

There's lots of help available for entrepreneurs, who normally start out creating a business plan to satisfy the requirements of lenders and to keep their businesses on target. Banks and credit unions have numerous services and advisors to help them.

But what shall the average working person do to improve his bottom line? Where does he find advice on investing, borrowing, savings plans and the like?

There are as many advisors available as there are individual financial needs.

Plenty of people believe, however, that they have either too little money or too little knowledge to even go and talk to a financial advisor. What then?

Acquiring some knowledge of financial services and terminology is a start.

The Internet can save you a lot of time finding out what kinds of financial services are available in your area, and whether the services offered are geared to corporate or individual clients or both.

Because the majority of financial services required by Aboriginal people are exactly the same as for non-Aboriginal Canadians, the difference is in the way these services are marketed and delivered.

Banking information is easy to find on the Internet and is a good place to become informed about options for borrowing, saving and estate planning before you seek out a personal financial consultant or visit the bank branch. Although financial institutions focus mainly on their commercial lines, they recognize that it is a mark of good corporate citizenship not to forget the "little guy" who may become a chief or CEO tomorrow. Banks are aware that Aboriginal people have more disposable cash than at any time in history and are spearheading numerous economic development initiatives.

All the major banks have Web sites, and most have links to Aboriginal banking services within their corporate structure. Only a few of the banks provide leads to basic personal financial planning on the Internet; however. Two that do provide such leads are CIBC and the Royal Bank of Canada.

The CIBC's Web site has a category for personal banking on its Web site, which contains information about the bank's personal financial planning program. The bank will take this five-hour workshop to reserves at no charge, to a minimum of eight to 10 people.

Royal Bank's easy-to-navigate Web site includes a section called "Ten helpful steps to managing your money better." It also has a link to "tools and calculators" that enable consumers to understand basic banking, financial planning for business or retirement, buying a home or car or investing money.

An Internet source that is geared to financial planning for a First Nation is the First Nations Fiscal Planning Program. It can be found online at www.fnfp.ca. Developed by Metepenagiag First Nation of New Brunswick under the Department of Indian Affairs' Gathering Strength initiative, the site describes n entire accounting cycle from the band perspective.

Whether you need financial knowledge to work in a band office or to run your own business, another financial planning option is to take training that will enable you to assume hands-on control. The Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada is a national organization that trains and certifies financial managers. A full description of their financial management program can be found on their Web site at www.afoa.ca.

For many people, money management and financial planning present big challenges, but with some research, effort and determination, almost anyone can create a pattern of earning, saving and planning for the future.