Financial planning is a process that provides you with two important things: An in-depth review of your current financial situation and a blueprint that shows you how to achieve your goals and future objectives. The "elephant in the room" is planning for a lifetime of passive income for the years when you are no longer working. In the absence of a defined-benefit pension plan, this responsibility falls on you and is going to take some effort, knowledge, and coaching that most people don't account for.
The benefits of financial planning advice should far exceed the fees you pay. There is no shortage of free advice available, but you're paying for it somehow. This is why it is important to have a competent, caring coach get to know your individual situation and help you make decisions that align with your life goals.
First we focus on your goals, objectives, priorities and values. For instance: the reduction of current and future income taxes may be an immediate goal, funding a quality education for your children may be an intermediate goal, and enjoying a secure financial future in your later years is likely to be your most important long-term goal. You may already be on the road to meeting these objectives and simply need a new strategy, professional insight, or to fine-tune your plan. Whatever your unique situation may be, everyone needs a periodic assessment of where they are on the road to meeting their financial goals. That’s why we do an in-depth review of your current financial situation.
Next, you need to know how you can set about achieving (or continue working toward) your financial goals. By focusing on cash flow, investments, taxes, pensions and retirement plans, estate planning, insurance issues, savings opportunities and other general financial matters, we design a customized financial action plan for you.
Anybody seeking financial peace of mind can benefit from our services. That's why we have no minimum fee or asset requirements. Clients have the flexibility to work with us on either a one-time or an ongoing basis. Investment management services are available for portfolios exceeding $1M, on a case-by-case basis.
We provide advice primarily on mutual fund and exchange-traded fund (ETF) investments. We do not make recommendations on annuities, commodities, precious metals, sector rotation, market timing strategies, hedge funds, or "alternative" investments. We advocate investing over speculating (and the wisdom to know the difference).
No. We offer recommendations to meet your needs and objectives, but you are under no obligation to purchase anything. We also recognize the importance of shopping around for the best available product or service. If you need life or disability insurance, for example, we may suggest the type of policy, various riders or additions, and the amounts that best fit your situation, then direct you to one or several different providers with quality products at competitive prices.
As financial planners and investment advisors we believe in the following fundamental principles when it comes to designing an investment portfolio:
• The purpose of a client's investment portfolio is to fund current and/or future financial objectives.
• The design of the portfolio must take into account the client's financial objectives, tolerance for risk, needs for current income or liquidity, and special considerations such as income and estate taxes.
• The important thing to remember is that no one can predict the future. Difference of opinion makes a market. Investment managers and economists provided with the same information often come to different conclusions. We do not suggest that we, or anybody else, will make the correct decision every time. We do believe, however, that history is a powerful guide and relationships of investment asset classes provide valuable insight to making smart investment decisions.
• The appropriate allocation of investment assets for your goals is the most important component in developing an investment portfolio.
• We believe that a diversified portfolio, combined with long term buy-and-hold strategies, affordability, and patience, drastically increases the likelihood that one will achieve their long-term financial objectives.
Fees are based on the actual time involved in meeting in person or via the phone, researching and analyzing your current situation, and providing specific recommendations. Initial planning engagements cost $360. This includes a one hour planning session and written action plan. Investment management clients are billed on an annualized asset-based fee schedule.
Due to the low price of our initial planning engagement, we do not offer complimentary "get-to-know-you" meetings.
Hourly based services are available as-needed, so reach out when you have questions or want to set up a review meeting. Investment management clients have a retainer-style relationship.