Our Process for Individuals

Most people spend more time and money planning their next vacation than they do preparing for the rest of their lives. Why? Because they don't think they can afford it, or that they don't have enough assets or because they can do it better themselves. We feel that people don't have a financial plan prepared by a professional because they don't know who to trust. We want to change that. Our client engagement process is simple and extremely thorough. 

Discovery Meeting

You can get in touch with us by phone or email. You can even schedule your own Discovery Meeting.

During the discover meeting, we discuss your situation, concerns and wishes.  We will share a sample plan so you can get a sense of the thoroughness and of our planning.  The sole purpose is to determine if we are a good fit.  Then together we figure out what services you desire and how to proceed.

We learn all about you in the initial meeting. This is where we present a financial planning agreement outlining our recommended services and fees.

Goals & Current Situation Confirmation

At this meeting we share with you the current state of your goal attainment and identify areas of opportunity and risk and agree on goals and planning assumptions.

We incorporate any changes or new information at this juncture.

Interim action items are agreed upon such as obtaining quotes for insurance, IRA funding, meeting with an attorney to begin estate planning or with a CPA for tax planning etc..

Plan Recommendation & Implementation Meeting

We walk you through your plan and recommendations and review all the decisions that still need to be made.  If you are not sure about implementation or are a committed “do-it your selfer,” then at this point, the engagement is completed, there is generally some follow up work for both of us.  You will have a binder with a tab for each part of your plan and of course a summary report. 

Post Implementation

If we continue in our relationship, then we do the work to implement your plan are available to you for questions and meetings at any time.  Your accounts will be automatically be rebalanced annually if necessary.  We never take custody nor do ever have discretionary authority of your assets.  We initiate regular reviews and available to you via our blog, newsletter, webinars, phone, email and face to face meetings and ongoing client events.

What to expect

If we have the privilege of working with you, you will learn...

• If your current assets and level of savings are adequate
• How much you will realistically need annually for a comfortable retirement
• Whether or not your level of risk is appropriate for the returns you are earning
• Whether or not you are overpaying for fund fees, commissions and for advice fees
• If your asset allocation is optimal for your risk level, desired returns and time horizon
• How much insurance you need and at what cost
• How to access information about your current investments that “do-it-your-selfers” cannot obtain without an advisor
• How to “launch” your children into financial independence
• The recommended strategies best for you and your journey and why they are optimal
• Other important information that is tailored for your plan

Perspective—You are not alone.

If you are not sure that a plan is necessary or that you can afford it right now, consider the other things that people hire experts for: Interior Designers, Architects, Personal Trainers, Travel Agents, Coaches, College Consultants, Tutors, Landscapers, and the list goes on. 

So for many things that are much less consequential to you and your families well being, people justify hiring an expert. 

Be part of the smart minority. “Only Forty-four percent of workers have taken the time and effort to complete a retirement needs calculation—the basic planning step that can help individuals determine how much money they are likely to need in retirement and how much they will need to save to meet that goal” per the Employee Benefit Research Institute's 2009 Retirement Confidence Survey.

Take control. Schedule a no-obligation discovery meeting today.

Make an appointment with our convenient online calendar.