How it works
The retirement strategy session
Deciding who to trust with managing your life savings is a big deal.
Before we work together, I want to understand your situation and give you a clear sense of how I can help. We’ll talk through what matters to you, dig into the details, and identify the planning opportunities I see.
By the end of the process, you’ll have a clearer picture of where you stand and what comes next.
01
Intro call
A 30-minute conversation about what you're looking for help with and whether I might be a good fit.
We'll talk about what's on your mind, what you're hoping to accomplish, and get a general sense of your financial situation. I'll share how I work with clients, and we can decide whether it makes sense to continue the conversation.
The goalSee if your situation and my approach are a good fit.
02
Discovery meeting
We'll dig into your finances, goals, family, and what you want retirement to look like.
If it makes sense to continue, we’ll meet for about 90 minutes and go deeper. We’ll talk about your finances, family, goals, concerns, and what you want retirement to look like. I’ll also gather the information I need to understand how the pieces fit together.
The goalGive me the context behind the numbers.
03
The retirement strategy session
I'll analyze your situation and walk you through the opportunities, tradeoffs, and decisions I see.
I’ll review the information you've shared and develop an initial analysis of your financial situation. Then we’ll meet again to walk through the big decisions around retirement income, taxes, investments, Social Security, Medicare, and anything else important to you.
The goalGive you a clearer picture of where you stand, what I recommend, and why.
04
Decide what comes next
If we decide to work together, we'll put the plan into action and continue adjusting it as life changes.
After the strategy session, we’ll decide whether it makes sense to work together on an ongoing basis. If we do, we’ll begin putting the plan into action and continue adjusting it as your life and retirement evolve.
The goalMove forward only if the relationship makes sense for both of us.
What you can expect
A complimentary planning process
There's no cost for our initial meetings. I want you to experience my approach to financial planning, what I'll recommend, and what you'd get before deciding whether to work together.
Recommendations you can take with you
Whether or not we decide to work together, you'll leave the strategy session with a clearer understanding of your financial picture and the planning opportunities we've identified.
Clear expectations and transparent fees
Before making a decision, we'll discuss what an ongoing relationship would look like, the services I'd provide, and the associated fees.
Questions worth asking yourself
Choosing a financial advisor is about more than credentials and investment strategies. It’s also about finding someone you trust, feel comfortable with, and can see yourself working with for years to come.
- Do I trust and respect this person?
- Will what he does for us be worth more than what he charges?
- Do I understand and agree with how he thinks about money?
- Did his recommendations make sense to me, in plain English?
- Would I feel comfortable reaching out whenever I have a question or concern?
What happens once we start
Once we begin working together, we’ll put your financial plan into action. This may include coordinating account transfers, implementing investment strategies, establishing retirement income, and addressing any immediate planning priorities.
From there, I typically meet with clients twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall. These meetings give us an opportunity to review your progress, revisit important decisions, and look ahead to upcoming planning opportunities, particularly around retirement income and taxes.
Of course, financial planning doesn’t happen only during scheduled meetings. I’m always available when life changes, your financial circumstances evolve, or you simply have a question you’d like to talk through.
Start with a conversation.
The first step is a 30-minute phone call. Tell me what’s on your mind and what you’re hoping to accomplish, and we’ll see if working together makes sense. No preparation required.