College Professor and Media Coach
Far too often, new parents don’t think about their children’s’ college funds or their own retirement until later in life, forcing them to make financial sacrifices and save a larger amount of money down the road. This case study tells the story of a young couple who, with our guidance, started thinking of—and saving for—their family’s future, so they can enjoy life now and later.
*Hover your mouse over each circle to learn this client's story, as well as what we took into consideration when creating their custom financial plan.
This couple came to us for guidance on how to protect, save, and grow their finances, so they could provide for their children’s education, while also saving for their retirement. Furthermore, their goals included a second home in Connecticut and additional office space in New York City for public speaking seminars and workshops.
Dream
Dream
At the initial consultation, we further defined their goals, gathered facts surrounding their finances, and learned more about what motivates and interests them. That meeting led to the following plan:
Plan
We considered a mortgage refinance to see if the family’s monthly payments could be lowered, which would provide the family with an opportunity to save on monthly payments that could be utilized to fund their children’s college savings accounts and obtain the needed life insurance protection for the family.
Cash-Flow
Risk Management
Based on the family’s income, liabilities, and goals, we helped determine the appropriate amount of life insurance needed designed to keep their plan on track if a loss occurred. We also researched the most suitable, cost-effective solutions and assisted the family in acquiring these policies.
College Savings
Touring college campuses was not part of their weekend plans. In fact, it was about 12 years away, but the time they had given themselves to start saving required less of an annual savings goal. This meant it was an amount they could comfortably fit into their cash-flow without jeopardizing their ability to save towards retirement.
Asset Allocation
Everyone’s risk tolerance is different. While basic planning principles would suggest this family can be invested for growth, they felt more comfortable with an allocation balanced amongst growth and stability. Together, we constructed a portfolio to align with their plan’s goals while giving them the financial confidence they sought.
Retirement Planning
Because they owned a small business, we reviewed various retirement plan options, such as a 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, and Simplified Employee Pension (SEP IRA), to determine a suitable option to help increase growth and minimize taxes on their investments. Together, we set a retirement date they can realistically plan for.
Present
Our team of financial advisors assisted this family with implementing various recommendations and monitoring their plan to help keep them on track to pursuing their financial goals.
The preceding story is for illustrative purposes only. Actual performance and results will vary. These do not constitute a recommendation as to the suitability of any investment for any person or persons having circumstances similar to those portrayed, and a financial advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation.
No matter your story, no matter your goals,
we are here to help you get creative with your financial planning and wealth management, so you can achieve your financial dreams.
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