Comprehensive financial planning analyzes the facets of a client's financial life, including:

• Clarifying and reaching your life goals.
• Achieving a balance of spending vs. saving.
• Minimizing taxes.
• Developing resources for financial independence.
• Developing a coordinated investment plan for all of your investments to meet your needs for immediate and future cash flow.
• Making contingency plans for untimely death or disability.
• Making a plan for long term care.
• Evaluating preparedness for financial independence, or for retirement.
• Planning cash flow for your retirement years so you don't overspend or underspend your resources.
• Planning your estate distribution to achieve your objectives for passing assets to your loved ones or charitable organizations.
• Overcoming self-defeating attitudes about money.

A plan is an assessment of your current situation and recommendations of action steps, which often takes the form of a monitored task list.  Each year, the plan is reviewed and updated.  Progress is marked and areas of slippage are identified over time. 

Each plan is unique.  Usually, there will be a couple of areas where needs are the greatest, and the planning process focuses on those areas. 

These days, retirement offers many lifestyle choices.  Those approaching retirement age may prefer a combination of activities, including vacationing or living abroad, caring for extended family, working a second career in areas of special interest or fun environments, second homes, and simply more time to enjoy life.  We are beginning to refer to this high quality time of life as financial independence, banishing images of rocking chairs and endless time on the golf course. 

Financial planning is a team effort.  The planner can provide direction and motivation for clients who define their objectives and are willing to do the hard work of accumulating resources for the future.