FIRST Process
Business owners and other professionals who aspire to a "work optional" lifestyle, are serious about investing for their future, and are committed to being engaged in a planning and advisory relationship are the ideal clients for the FIRST Process.
Foundation - The most important part of a building is its foundation. Without a solid and secure foundation, the integrity of the entire building is at risk. The same goes for your financial future. A plan must be developed that takes into account your individual financial situation, your goals, your dreams, and the steps required to achieve them. This plan becomes your solid and secure financial foundation.
Investment - Money is the catalyst, required in some form or another, to fulfill most goals. By investing money over time, it may be able to grow to an extent that you can achieve your goals more quickly than if you had just saved it without investing. There are many different types of investments available, and the investments chosen will depend significantly on the individual investor's specific situation.
Risk - Risk assessment is a very important part of the planning and investment process.
- A death in the family will cause emotional devastation, but it can also destroy financial well-being and security if this risk is not planned for in advance. Permanent disability and/or long-term care can quickly devour emergency funds and retirement savings without advance risk mitigation. Consideration of risks such as these should be a part of any financial plan.
- Too much risk in your portfolio could lead to excess losses or lack of liquidity during an economic downturn. An important element of investment risk for a long-term investor is the investor's ability to experience a downturn in the value of their portfolio without panicking. Many individual investors panic during market drops and lock in losses by selling at or near the market lows, and they often miss out on potential gains by waiting until most of the recovery happens before putting their money back to work. Determining your risk tolerance and time horizon prior to establishing the investment plan is a crucial factor in reaching the goals of your plan.
Succession - For a business owner, succession means planning for the eventual sale or transfer of the business in a way that aligns with your goals for that sale or transfer. A second stage of the succession process for a business owner, or a first stage for a non-business owner, is legacy planning. Well thought out plans put in place today can increase the likelihood of your successful legacy living beyond just the next generation.
Transition - Life's transitions could include: a transition of your children or grandchildren to their next step in education or career, your changing to a career that you enjoy from one that just pays the bills, achieving the aspiration of a work optional lifestyle, or retiring to a life of leisure and travel. Planning for these transitions helps to increase the odds of their attainment. Big goals, plus well executed plans, can lead to achievement of those big goals.
For young professionals who are just starting out, oftentimes a Financial Planning relationship is a great place to begin. In addition to our traditional Financial Planning offerings, we offer installment plans for increased accessibility. See our Financial Planning pages for more details.