Financial Planning - the Foundation for Making Better Decisons

 

  • What are your chances of having a successful retirement? 
  • How can you increase your odds of success?

 

It all starts with a Financial Plan.

Planning a 25-30 year retirement is very complicated given all the risks and uncertainties that lie ahead. 

  • A financial plan helps provide the foundation for making better and more informed decisions. 
  • It is an important step to help you organize your financial life and to gain clarity and control of your financial future. 
  • It provides a rational way to analyze and solve for multiple goals, numerous variables, complex interactions, your current situation, and your future... simultaneously. 
  • It includes not only sound strategies to accumulate the money you'll need for retirement and a spending plan for retirement, but it also includes risk mitigation strategies that aim portect you from the inevitable rough patches.
  • A financial plan addresses the two fundamental questions mentioned above:
    • What are your chances of having a successful retirement?
    • How can you increase your odds of success?

Below is a depiction of the steps in the financial planning process I use to design a plan and provide strategies to help take you where you want to go.

It all revolves around you and what is most important to you - your goals, concerns, and priorities. 

I listen carefully, gather the important data, analyze the data and your financial resources, and then together, develop a realistic plan to work towards pursuing your goals. Your plan can easily be updated to make sure you are on track and changes can be recommended, if needed.

A financial plan also addresses the needs, activity level, and spending patterns of the three stages of retirement - early, middle, and late, affectionately referred to as the Go-Go years, the Slow-Go years, and the No-Go years. 

I have also found that most retirees want to streamline their finances when they retire, such as consolidating accounts, reducing investment risk, putting their income on auto pilot, reducing complexity, and simplifying their decision-making, so they can spend more time enjoying their life rather than worrying about their money.  I address these goals in the financial plan as well.

The Client Planning Experience

The outcome of the planning process is a presentation of the plan online or in person. In either case, clients enjoy a very informative interactive online experience where they can participate in seeing the benefits and trade-offs of various planning options. Such an experience provides a deeper sense of understanding and clarity of their financial circumstances and greater confidence in the path forward.

The plan is also not static but dynamic in that clients can link their financial accounts with automatic daily updates, so their plan always stays "fresh" and relevant.  Clients have online access 24/7 to review and interact with the plan at their convenience.  A written report is available as well upon request.

How I Get Paid

I charge a flat fee to design a personalized financial plan, which typically ranges between $1000-$2500 depending on the complexity of the client situation.  I have found that a flat fee rather than an hourly rate results in a lower cost and a better value for the client.

 

If you want to explore how a financial plan can help you pursue your personal financial goals, I provide a complimentary consultation by phone, Zoom conference, or in person.

You will also receive the very informative 2023 Social Security Reference Guide by MFS.  One of the most consequential decisions you can make when planning your retirement is deciding when and how to claim Social Security benefits.  This comprehensive Guide describes all the factors involved to help with your decision.  LPL Financial and MFS are not affiliated.

Please click HERE to request your complimentary consultation.