Complimentary Initial Meeting

 

Like many professionals, we offer a complimentary initial consultation so we can get acquainted.  I’ve found that an excellent way for us to get to know each other is for us to complete the first draft of your Financial Life Map at your initial meeting. We’ll crystallize your goals, preferences, and priorities, and we’ll identify what obstacles might be getting in your way.  Almost everyone who completes this exercise agrees that it’s really helpful and worthwhile.

 

During your complimentary introductory consultation, you'll learn about the services that we offer and I'll learn about which of those services might be of benefit to you.  I'll provide you with a cost estimate and I'll answer any questions you may have.  And by the time we're through, we'll know whether we want to schedule another meeting.

 

Financial Life Planning

 

I offer comprehensive Financial Life Planning and Wealth Management Services. The specific services that I recommend to you will depend upon your own individual needs and preferences. For instance, in some cases, comprehensive Financial Life Planning will be recommended, while in other cases only certain aspects of a comprehensive financial plan may be recommended. I recommend only those services that I deem to be in your best interest.

 

Financial Life Planning services are offered on an hourly basis. After I determine what services are appropriate for you, I’ll estimate the amount of time that will be required to provide the services and quote a fee in advance. You’ll know what it will cost before you make any commitments.

 

You may notice that I sometimes refer to the Financial Planning aspect of the work I do as Financial Life Planning. That’s because I try to help our clients focus primarily on what you want to achieve, or what you want to do during your life. It’s your life that we’re planning and that’s where the focus should lie. The financial aspects of your life will play an integral role in your pursuits, but I view money or wealth as a tool, not an objective.

 

Part A

 

Financial Life Planning is, in my opinion, best viewed as being comprised of two parts. I refer to them as Part A and Part B, or Plan A and Plan B. Part A is goal planning – determining and pursuing a strategy to pursue your goals. Your goals may include education funding, retirement planning, home purchase, or other objectives that can best be achieved via the accumulation of a specific amount of assets, or via the generation of income from your assets. I’ll help you identify and prioritize your goals, determine whether they’re reasonably achievable, and develop a plan to pursue them.

 

Part B

 

Part B of a comprehensive financial plan is contingency planning; thus the term Plan B. We need to know, “What happens if….?” We want to make sure your plans won’t come unraveled if you encounter any hazards along the way. For instance, what happens if you die prematurely? What if you become disabled or require long term care? What happens if your property is damaged or stolen? What if you’re sued? I’ll help you develop an estate plan and risk management plans. 

 

I’ll also help you examine your need for life, disability, health, long term care, property, and/or liability insurance. Once we determine whether you have a need for such insurance, I’ll help you review your current policies to see whether they still meet your needs as well as they did when you purchased them. Our objective is to make sure you are protected against common hazards or contingencies as effectively and economically as possible.

 

Once we’ve developed your Financial Life Plan (Part A and Part B), I’ll help you implement your plan to the extent you desire.

 

Wealth Management

 

Wealth Management is the process of managing your financial affairs consistent with your Financial Life Plan. It includes cash flow management, investment management, tax management, risk management, and more. Once we’ve clearly identified what it is that you want accomplish, and after we’ve developed a contingency plan to protect you from common hazards, we can begin to manage your wealth accordingly. Until a plan is in place, how can we know whether we’re on the right track and doing the right things?

 

Part of Wealth Management includes periodically reviewing your progress toward the achievement of your goals. I can provide this service on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. In most cases an annual review is sufficient. Because of the way I prepare your review reports with target ranges at different points in time, it’s not always necessary to perform an updated analysis to see whether you’re on track.

 

Investment Management

 

Another part of Wealth Management is investment management. The investments that I recommend to you will depend upon your individual needs, preferences, and priorities. In some cases I may recommend insured investments, and in other cases I’ll recommend variable investments, including a wide variety of securities. For many clients, the best solution will include a variety of investments – some insured, some fixed, and some variable.

 

I offer a variety of investment management options. When I accept the responsibility to manage a portion of your assets I’ll charge a quarterly fee that’s based upon the value of the investments under management. Our rates are very competitive, and include the provision of monthly investment reports, quarterly performance reports, and an annual review meeting. More frequent meetings may be available as needed or requested.

 

Investment and Insurance Brokerage

 

I also offer Investment and Insurance Brokerage services to help meet our clients' needs in those areas.