I believe that we are all complex human beings, and our financial plans need to reflect that complexity. While some financial advisors sell their services piecemeal, I feel strongly that I provide the most reliable, well-rounded advice by examining my clients’ financial picture from start to finish.
My goal is to learn everything about my clients—not just their account balances but their hopes, dreams and long-term goals—so I can craft a game plan that reflects their truest selves.
There’s no comprehensive list of what I do because every financial plan is different. I do whatever it takes to help my clients prosper. That said, here are some of the things I do:
Cash flow management:
Managing money effectively is all about mastering what’s coming in and what’s going out. I’d examine your income and expenses and help you make any changes necessary to ensure you always have positive cash flow. That can mean anything from staying on top of mortgage payments to finding tax savings.
Saving for your goals:
No matter your life stage, there’s a budget and savings plan that best reflects your personal goals and ambitions. I help my clients save for goals like vacations, weddings, tuition, buying a home, retirement and much more, all while balancing any debts they might have.
Asset allocation:
Different investments have different levels performance and risk, so consciously crafting a mix of assets can help mitigate investing risk. We’ll talk about your objectives: Is your goal to support your current lifestyle with your investments? To grow your money further? To fund a specific goal, like college education? We’ll also talk about your risk tolerance, personal preferences and various tax consequences. I’ll help you rebalance your portfolio regularly to make sure it’s always in line with your personal goals.
Investing and retirement planning:
I develop tailor-made investment plans based on my clients’ goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. Studies have shown that day-trading and trying to time the market tend to hurt investors over time, so all of my strategies focus on the long term. Retirement planning is constantly evolving as people are living much longer, so I help my clients set realistic retirement goals, choose the best investment vehicles (Roth and traditional IRAs, 401k and 403b plans, self-employed retirement plans, and so on) and create a Social Security strategy.
Estate planning:
Planning for after you’re gone is a key way to provide for your loved ones. Estate planning involves three main documents: a will, durable power of attorney for health care and durable power of attorney for financial matters. I can help you understand how these documents work and where they fit into your estate plan. I can also work directly with you and your lawyer to craft a documents that reflects your wishes.
Insurance planning:
Most people don’t enjoy researching and choosing insurance policies, but luckily I do! I can help you understand your options and choose between plans. I don’t receive any commissions or kickbacks, so I can connect you with trusted resources and provide unbiased advice on which policies are best for your situation. This includes helping you evaluate your options for life, long-term care, disability, health and dental insurance, among others
Tax planning:
No one likes taxes, but a financial advisor can help you ease the burden. Working together, we’d design a tax plan that fits your needs. That might include looking at your charitable contributions, life insurance policies and investment choices to figure out the best strategy.
Home-buying advice:
Buying a home can be one of the most exciting purchases of your life, but it will also have a major impact on your finances. I can help you decide whether now is the right time for you to buy a home, assess all the costs—from taxes to renovations to mortgage fees—and figure out what kind of mortgage might be best for your situation.
Planning for charitable giving:
Whatever your reasons for donating to charity, the tax code offers incentives for philanthropy, such as income tax deductions and the ability to minimize estate taxes. I can help you be strategic with your contributions so you can benefit your favorite charities while also helping your own finances. This might include techniques like creating charitable remainder trusts or charitable lead trusts, and calculating the best times for you to make donations to optimize your tax benefits.
There are lots of things I do that aren’t on this list. I’ve helped clients choose between multiple job offers (from a financial perspective, of course), and I’ve even had clients take me car shopping with them. I am always available to answer questions and check in on your progress. There’s no limit to how often my clients can contact me. I seriously love it.