Client Resources
Welcome to our Client Resources page, your dedicated hub for valuable financial tools, insights, and guidance. We understand the complexities of managing and growing your wealth as entrepreneurs, business owners, and healthcare professionals.
Here, you’ll find a curated collection of resources designed to empower your financial decisions—from comprehensive tools to informative videos and answers to the most frequently asked questions. Explore these resources at your convenience, and let us help you navigate your financial journey with confidence.
Helpful Links
Portal used to show account balances, performance, and access custodian statements.
• If you haven’t received an email regarding account setup please contact our office.
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Where your account is held (the custodian).
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Financial planning software. Access available to clients who have engaged in our full-service financial planning.
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Financial scorecard software to give you a snapshot of where you’re at financially.
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Risk tolerance software. Watch for quarterly check-in emails, which will help us gauge how you are feeling about your portfolio and the broader market.
• No need for a login, but look for the emails quarterly and be sure to respond.
Helpful Resources
Blueprint for Financial Success
Your Financial Superheroes
9 Year-End Tax Moves
Do Elections Actually Matter for the Stock Market?
Frequently Asked Questions:
Minimizing tax liability involves a multi-faceted approach. Maximize contributions to tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s, which offer immediate tax deductions or tax-deferred growth. Consider the timing of income and deductions to manage your taxable income levels. Strategic charitable giving, such as donating appreciated securities, can also reduce your taxable income. Additionally, work closely with a CPA to explore all available business deductions, credits, and potential tax-loss harvesting strategies within your investment portfolio.
High-net-worth individuals should focus on a diversified investment strategy that includes traditional assets like stocks and bonds, as well as alternative investments such as private equity, real estate, and hedge funds. Tax efficiency is critical, so consider municipal bonds or index funds that generate lower taxable income. It’s also essential to have a global perspective, investing in international markets to mitigate risk and capture growth opportunities worldwide. Regular portfolio reviews are necessary to adjust for changes in market conditions, economic cycles, and personal financial goals.
Asset protection starts with choosing the right legal structures, such as setting up an LLC or a family limited partnership, which can shield personal assets from business liabilities. Consider creating an asset protection trust, which places your assets beyond the reach of creditors while allowing you to maintain control over them. Adequate insurance, including umbrella policies and professional liability coverage, adds another layer of protection. Regularly review your estate plan to ensure it includes provisions for asset protection, and consult with a legal expert to stay compliant with state and federal laws.
Retirement planning requires a comprehensive approach that considers your desired lifestyle, potential healthcare costs, and inflation. Start by estimating your future income needs and identifying potential sources of income, such as Social Security, pensions, and investment withdrawals. Consider the tax implications of withdrawing from different accounts and the impact of required minimum distributions (RMDs). Long-term care insurance can help mitigate healthcare costs, while delaying Social Security benefits can increase your monthly payout. Regularly review and adjust your plan to account for changes in your financial situation, market conditions, or life goals.
Ensuring your business’s financial sustainability involves maintaining a strong cash flow, keeping overhead costs low, and having a solid financial reserve. Regularly review your financial statements to identify trends and areas for improvement. Diversify your revenue streams to protect against market fluctuations and consider reinvesting profits into growth opportunities that align with your long-term vision. Additionally, establish a succession plan to ensure business continuity in case of unforeseen circumstances, and consider how your personal financial goals align with the business’s trajectory.
The right business structure can significantly impact your tax liability. For many business owners, forming an S-Corp can allow you to avoid self-employment taxes on a portion of your income, while an LLC offers flexibility in taxation and liability protection. A C-Corp might be advantageous if you plan to reinvest profits or seek venture capital, despite the potential for double taxation. Beyond the structure, consider income-splitting strategies, such as hiring family members or setting up a retirement plan to defer taxes. Regularly consult with a tax advisor to reassess your structure as your business grows and tax laws change.
Diversification is key to managing risk in your investment portfolio. Begin by spreading investments across different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities. Within each asset class, diversify further by investing in various sectors, industries, and geographic regions to reduce exposure to any single economic factor. Consider including alternative investments like private equity or hedge funds, which may offer returns uncorrelated to traditional markets. Regularly rebalance your portfolio to maintain your desired allocation and avoid overexposure to any single asset type or market.
Estate planning is essential for preserving wealth and ensuring your wishes are honored after your passing. It involves drafting a will to dictate how your assets will be distributed and setting up trusts to manage how and when your beneficiaries receive their inheritance. Estate planning also includes naming guardians for minor children and designating powers of attorney for financial and healthcare decisions if you become incapacitated. Advanced planning can help minimize estate taxes, protect assets from creditors, and avoid probate, which can be costly and time-consuming. Regularly review and update your estate plan to reflect changes in your family dynamics, financial situation, and tax laws.
Planning for your children’s education begins with understanding the potential costs and exploring savings options like 529 plans, which offer tax advantages and flexibility. If you’re a high-income earner, these plans allow your investments to grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified education expenses are also tax-free. Consider starting early to benefit from compound interest and explore other vehicles like Coverdell ESAs or custodial accounts. Keep in mind that your income may affect financial aid eligibility, so it’s essential to plan strategically. You might also want to explore scholarships, grants, and financial aid options to supplement savings.
Passing on wealth efficiently requires careful planning to minimize taxes and ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Trusts are a powerful tool for controlling the timing and conditions under which your heirs receive their inheritance, which can also protect the assets from creditors and reduce estate taxes. Lifetime gifting can reduce the size of your taxable estate and allow you to see the benefits of your generosity while you’re still alive. Consider life insurance as a way to provide tax-free wealth to your heirs and to cover any estate taxes that might be due. Regularly update your estate plan to reflect changes in tax laws and your personal circumstances.
Charitable giving can be both personally rewarding and financially beneficial if approached strategically. Setting up a donor-advised fund (DAF) allows you to take an immediate tax deduction while distributing the funds to charities over time. Donating appreciated assets, such as stocks, can help you avoid capital gains taxes while still receiving a deduction for the full market value of the asset. Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) can provide you with income during your lifetime and benefit a charity afterward, offering both a tax deduction and potential estate tax benefits. Plan your giving in alignment with your overall financial goals and work with a tax advisor to maximize the benefits.
Managing cash flow effectively is critical for balancing your business’s needs with your personal financial goals. Start by creating a detailed budget that tracks both business and personal expenses, ensuring you have a clear picture of where your money is going. Regularly monitor accounts receivable and payable to avoid cash flow bottlenecks, and consider using financing options like lines of credit to bridge gaps during slow periods. Establish an emergency fund for both your business and personal finances to cover unexpected expenses. Additionally, consider how reinvesting in your business aligns with your long-term personal financial goals, ensuring that business growth supports, rather than hinders, your financial stability.
Every investment strategy comes with inherent risks, and it’s essential to understand them fully. Market risk, which includes the volatility of stocks and bonds, can impact the value of your portfolio in response to economic changes. Interest rate risk, particularly relevant for bondholders, can affect the value of your fixed-income investments as rates fluctuate. Inflation risk erodes the purchasing power of your money over time, making it crucial to have investments that outpace inflation. Additionally, sector-specific risks can arise if your portfolio is heavily weighted in a particular industry. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your strategy can help mitigate these risks, ensuring that your portfolio remains aligned with your risk tolerance and financial objectives.
Preparing for economic downturns involves building resilience into both your personal finances and your business. Start by creating a diversified portfolio that includes defensive investments like bonds or dividend-paying stocks, which tend to perform better during market volatility. Maintain an emergency fund that can cover several months’ worth of expenses, and consider reducing unnecessary debt to improve your financial flexibility. For your business, stress-test your financial plans under different economic scenarios to identify potential vulnerabilities and develop contingency plans. Consider how changes in the economic environment could impact your revenue and explore ways to adapt your business model to weather downturns.
Excess cash reserves can be both an opportunity and a challenge. On the personal side, consider paying down high-interest debt, which provides a guaranteed return equivalent to the interest rate on the debt. If you’re already debt-free, look into short-term, low-risk investments like high-yield savings accounts, money market funds, or short-term bonds that offer liquidity and a modest return. For business reserves, consider reinvesting in your business to drive growth, whether through new technology, hiring, or expansion. Alternatively, excess cash can be used for strategic acquisitions or as a cushion to take advantage of opportunities during economic downturns. Balancing liquidity needs with potential investment opportunities is key to making the most of your cash reserves.
