Services
Financial Planning
We use financial planning to help clients understand how the different pieces of their financial picture – investments, real estate, income, expenses, liabilities, insurance, retirement expectations, etc. – work together and how a plan can help them make more informed decisions that will move them closer to reaching their goals. I believe that the value of a financial plan is measured not by how long or detailed it is but rather by how much it helps clients stay the course and avoid behaviors that can hinder their plans.
Investments
The client’s Risk Score is calculated first. The Risk Score goes from 1, the most conservative and risk averse, to 100, the most aggressive and risk tolerant. The next step is to construct a portfolio based on the personal Risk Score so that client expectations can be more in line with portfolio behavior. Some of the most common types of investments we use include Stocks, Exchange Traded Funds, ETF’s, certain mutual funds, government, corporate, and tax-free municipal bonds, Fixed Indexed Annuities, and for qualified investors, Private Equity Real Estate.
Tax Planning
The timing and class of investments made by an investor are important criteria to consider so as to minimize the tax burden. Apart from working with clients to better plan what investments to buy and when and which ones to sell, we work closely with trusted CPA’s to analyze past returns to identify potential tax savings that may have been overlooked.
Retirement Planning
Planning for retirement is an ongoing process that is always better the earlier you start. Different “what if” scenarios are considered and questions such as age to retire, projected assets at time of retirement, expected or desired life style, when to start taking social security, and many others are discussed and answered.
Estate Planning
An area often postponed or left unaddressed, estate planning is a critically important part of the client’s financial picture. At the initial meeting with a new client, we make sure that the different estate planning items have been set up and updated. These include a will, a healthcare surrogate, a durable power of attorney and possibly a trust. We coordinate with clients’ existing attorneys or recommend one of the tried and trusted ones that have helped other clients.
Risk Management
A review is performed on your current insurance coverages including life, home, business, and health. The objective of the review is to confirm that you have the correct coverage and that it is adequate. Also, we make sure the client understands what they have and why.
Cash Management
We provide practical guidance on how to better prepare and use budgets, manage expenses, saving to invest, paying down debt, smart use of credit cards and creating emergency funds is an important part of the financial picture. Specific goals for cash management are set through the financial planning process.
Self-Directed IRA's
Employer sponsored retirement plans such as 401k's, 403b's, 457's as well as Roth and Traditional IRA's are usually limited to investments in mutual funds, stocks, bonds and ETF's. Other potentially lucrative investments that can significantly diversify your portfolio, i.e., real estate, private equity, tax lien certificates, cryptocurrencies, precious metals and others, are not possible with those accounts. We have the knowledge and experience of using an IRS approved way of converting a 401k or an IRA into a self-directed IRA to take advantage of a new world of investment opportunities!
Free Confidential Porfolio Analysis
For a limited time basis, we are offering a free analysis and report of your current portfolio. This includes an explanation of how these together help us create realistic expectations of the likely future performance of your investments. Your capacity and comfort with any downturns in your portfolio will also be measured by the relationship of these two Risk Scores.
Our Six Steps to Financial Planning
Establish Advisor-Client Relationship
Gather Data and Determine Goals
Analyze and Evaluate Client's Complete Financial Status
Develop and Present the Financial and Investment Plan
Implement the Financial and Investment Plan
Monitor the Financial and Investment Plan