Services

“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

Seek to building a solid foundation using goals-based, financial planning that is on-going and accessible so we can focus together on meeting and exceeding important milestones, regardless of market conditions and performance.

1. Goal Setting and Planning

• Develop, implement and monitor all financial goals
• Calculate net worth and review cash flow annually
• Conduct annual planning evaluations and tracking of goals
• Provide proactive follow-up on action items
• Provide advice on healthy financial behavior, e.g. wants vs. needs

2. Retirement Planning

• Evaluate pension plan structures, IRA’s, Roth IRA’s or qualified plans
• Analyze distribution options for pensions
• Calculate retirement plan benefits, including Social Security
• Calculate IRS Required Minimum Distributions (RMD’s) and educate on regulations
• Provide Roth IRA conversion calculations and advice
• Educate on how the timing of retirement will affect retirement lifestyle
• Review and update goals, objectives and priorities to analyze the impact of these changes on overall financial situation
• Update financial projections to monitor the effect of stock and bond markets, changes to cash flow needs, risk tolerance and other variables
• Analyze the effects of inflation on financial goals
• Provide stress test analysis of portfolio, i.e. Risk Tolerance
• Provide Social Security analysis and optimization

3. Educational Planning

• Evaluation of the various vehicles for educational savings and selection based on individual needs
• Monitor age of student(s) to ensure proper allocation based on risk tolerance and time horizon
• Provide guidance and advice on financial aid and scholarship funding
• Monitor state and federal tax laws for changes to education benefits, contributions, credits and deductions

4. Net Worth Statement and Balance Sheet

• Gather and analyze information to create household balance sheet
• Analyze debt structure and organization; assess lending opportunities
• Evaluate mortgage financing, the economic benefits of refinancing, semi-monthly payment programs, accelerated payment programs and PMI reduction strategies
• Calculate net worth
• Monitor net worth to ensure the financial plan is working to preserve and grow assets
• Help prioritize spending and prepare for potential pitfalls
• Look for opportunities for additional savings

5. Benefit Plan Analysis

• Provide advice to maximize employee benefits
• Annual analysis of employee benefits
• Provide stock option strategies
• Provide advice on employee stock purchases as a part of overall investment strategy
• Monitor contributions to retirement plans

6. Net Worth Statement and Balance Sheet

• Provide information about tax-planning strategies
• Work in symphony with CPA to enhance tax efficiencies in overall financial plan
• Assist CPA with gathering data
• Simplify tax reporting
• Discuss tax benefits of optimizing 401(k), 403(b) or other retirement plan options
• Provide information on the benefits of section 125 plans and health-savings accounts
• Help reduce taxation of Social Security benefits
• Provide advice on possible benefits of Roth conversions
• Monitor tax law changes and the impact on overall situation
• Establish and track cost basis on taxable accounts
• Provide advice on retirement plan distributions prior to age 59 ½
• Provide advice on Required Minimum Distributions (RMD’s) after age 70 ½

“If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free; if our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed.” – Edmund Burke, 1700’s Irish Statesman

Our process focuses on building, maintaining, and protecting wealth through an investment management process with transparent pricing and reporting to allow you to know exactly where you stand at all times.

1. Investment Management

• Review specific holdings for risk, performance, expenses, tax efficiency and capital gains/losses
• Provide advice regarding asset allocation with regard investment time horizon as a means of balancing risk and return
• Research of investment vehicles and managers for potential additions or replacements
• Provide performance reporting on investments
• Consolidate investment paperwork
• Explain investment ideas in an easy to understand manner
• Provide 401(k), 403(b), or 457 investment advice even if assets are held away

2. Wealth Building and Cash Management

• Provide advice on cash surplus or deficits
• Monitor debt reduction
• Plan for future cash flow expenses for cars, homes, vacations, home improvements, education, weddings, etc.
• Evaluate current cash investments and look for opportunities to increase returns on cash accounts
• Help determine an appropriate amount of emergency funds

“The solutions all are simple….after you have arrived at them. But they are simple only when you know already what they are.” – Robert M. Pirdig, American Philosopher

The value of our planning process is to uncover financial “uncertainties” that we may not have known existed, then working immediately to remove them by providing solutions with only your best interests in mind.

1. Risk Management – Insurance (Life and Long-Term Care)

• Analyze insurance needs based on income, health, age, investment portfolios, education needs, goals and objectives
• Evaluate current life, disability, long-term care, health, umbrella, property and auto insurance and look for opportunities for improvement or money savings
• Provide guidance on property and casualty policies
• Provide advice for long-term care insurance, types of coverage, riders, cost benefit analysis
• Provide advice on disability insurance and planning for loss of income
• Provide advice on elder care issues
• Analyze liquidity needs for estate tax purposes, gifting and inheritance planning

2. Education Funding

• Provide access to education investment accounts, e.g. 529 plans, custodial accounts, Education Savings Accounts, IRA’s and Savings bonds
• Establish and monitor financial education programs for your children or grandchildren

3. Client Education and Monitoring Process

• Provide investment information with a comprehensive approach
• Keep you up to date with product, service, strategy changes and improvements
• Conduct ongoing communication through face to face meetings, telephone conferences and web based conferencing
• Provide appointment summaries
• Send monthly newsletters or updates
• Provide positive encouragement and motivation for effort and successes
• Advise you to avoid reactive or emotional decisions which could negatively affect your portfolio
• Support you through life’s transitional phases: major illness, death, inheritance, job change, retirement, child birth, divorce, legal issues or other crises
• Encourage you to save and invest
• Help you understand the various attitudes toward money and the financial decision making associated with each of them
• Resolve problems quickly
• Educate you on the potential tradeoffs of financial decisions and how they relate to goals
• Provide economic and stock market updates and explain what it means to you
• Help evaluate the economic news with you and make decisions accordingly
• Constantly seek out professional education for myself to better serve you

4. Client Access, Online Vault and Performance Reporting

• Constant access to account performance via computer or mobile device
• Personal budgeting tool
• Secure online vault with unlimited space for important documents such as: wills, trusts, insurance policies

Our first priority is helping you take care of yourself and your family. We want to learn more about your personal situation, identify your dreams and goals, and understand your tolerance for risk. Long-term relationships that encourage open and honest communication have been the cornerstone of my foundation of success.

1. Estate and Legacy Planning

• Advise on the implementation and proper use of estate planning tools: wills, trusts or powers-of-attorney (financial and healthcare)
  
• Provide education and guidance on charitable giving alternatives
  
• Review ownership and beneficiary designations on all accounts
  
• Review estate planning documents to verify they are up to date and coordinate with the financial plan
  
• Assist estate planning attorney with financial planning data
  
• Provide advice on gifting strategies
  
• Monitor changes of ownership of assets during an acquisition or after a marriage, divorce, inheritance or other significant life event