Individuals & Families
Goals. Plan. Portfolio.
Your goals set the plan.
Your plan shapes your portfolio. We review together on a steady schedule.
How we help
Markets get the headlines. Inflation does the damage. Many retirees fear the next market drop, but it’s the steady loss of purchasing power that erodes a plan.
Financial planning should be simple. We start by clarifying your goals, build a practical plan to reach them, and manage a portfolio designed to support it. Then we meet on a steady schedule to review progress and adjust as life changes.
Retirement planning
From what you have to the income you’ll need
- Define retirement age and income target
- Model spending with realistic inflation so your plan aims to preserve purchasing power
- Coordinate retirement accounts with applicable pension and Social Security timing
- Consolidate 401(k), 403(b), 457, IRA, taxable accounts, etc.
- Set a sustainable withdrawal approach
- Plan Roth conversions and tax-aware distribution order
- Build an allocation you can live with through different markets
Saving & investing for life's big goals
Plan purchases and invest beyond retirement accounts with purpose
- Translate goals into dollar targets and timelines
- Choose account types: brokerage, high-yield cash, 529, CDs, etc.
- Align risk to each goal’s time horizon
- Automate contributions across accounts
- Use buckets for near-, mid-, and long-term goals
- Evaluate tax-advantaged cash-value life insurance for long-duration goals when appropriate
Protection & what-ifs
Safeguard the plan with the right coverage
- Determine needs-based life insurance (term or permanent)
- Disability income protection
- Long-term care considerations
- Beneficiary designations and estate coordination
- Employer benefits and gap review
- Integrate premiums and reserves into your cash flow
First meeting: what to expect
A 20-minute intro to how we work—and a mutual fit check. If you just bring yourself, that’s perfect.
- Brief overview of our Goals → Plan → Portfolio → Reviews process
- Quick map of what accounts you have today
- After we’ll send a recap email with a short tailored list of what to provide next
Prefer to bring something? Recent statements and your top goals are helpful, but optional.
Second-opinion review
After our intro meeting, we review your plan and portfolio—retirement, savings goals, and protection—so you know what to adjust.
- Allocation and risk fit across all accounts
- Fees and fund overlap
- Purchasing-power check (inflation stress)
- Timeline alignment for each goal
- Coverage gaps and beneficiary review
- Clear, prioritized action items
Outpace Inflation
Because the real risk isn't market volatility; it's losing purchasing power over time.
Simplicity and Discipline
Portfolios built to support your plan, not chase predictions.
Consistency & Contact
Structured reviews, quick responses, and meaningful conversations that go beyond numbers.
FAQ
What happens in the first two meetings?
Meeting 1 is a 20-minute intro to how we work and whether we’re a good fit. You can just bring yourself. After we map your accounts, we’ll send a short list of what to provide. Meeting 2 is a plan/portfolio review once we’ve gathered statements.
Do I need to prepare for the first meeting?
No. If you’d like, bring any recent statements and your top 2–3 goals, but it’s optional. We’ll identify what you have and follow up with exactly what we need next.
Do you help with logins, rollovers, and transfers?
Yes. We can help you locate logins and statements, coordinate 3-way calls with providers, and prefill paperwork for signature. If we move forward together, we manage the transfer process and keep you posted.
What’s your planning approach—how does it work?
Goals → Plan → Portfolio → Reviews. We clarify what money needs to do, build a practical plan, align investments to it, and review on a steady schedule.
How do you review plans and show updates?
We use a financial planning software called eMoney that aggregates accounts, models “what-if” scenarios, and provides a secure document vault. We use it to walk through your plan live—on screen or in person—so you can see the impact of timing, savings, spending, and investment mix immediately. You’ll also have your own portal to view the plan between meetings.
Why do you emphasize inflation so much?
Market swings are visible; inflation quietly erodes purchasing power over decades. We plan around inflation first so your income targets stay realistic.
Can you work with my current accounts at work?
Yes. We coordinate employer plans (401(k), 403(b), 457), IRAs, and taxable accounts so they follow one plan.
Is there an account minimum?
No hard minimum for starting a plan. Implementation and fees depend on the services and accounts used; we explain all costs up front before you decide.
How do you charge?
Planning and investment management fees vary by scope and account type. We outline fees, expenses, and any product costs in plain English before you proceed.
What happens in the second-opinion review?
We assess allocation and risk, fees and fund overlap, the impact of inflation (purchasing-power check), timelines for each goal, and coverage gaps—then give clear actions.
How do meetings work—remote or in person?
Both. We meet virtually or in person from Grand Rapids, MI, and work with clients across the U.S.
What should I bring to the first meeting?
Recent statements (401(k), 403(b), 457, IRA, brokerage), a pay stub, any pension/Social Security estimate, and your top 2–3 goals. Don’t worry if you’re missing items—we’ll outline exactly what’s needed.
How often do we meet after we start?
At least once a year, and more often around life events, retirement transitions, or when updates are needed.