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Category: Planning
5 Tips for a Winning Financial Planning Session
Have you ever sat in your car in the parking lot after visiting the doctor for your annual physical and said to yourself, “Oh, I forgot to ask the doctor about X…Now it’s too late”?
We’ve all had those moments where more formal preparation would have made our meetings with doctors, lawyers, contractors, etc., more productive and valuable. Meeting with your financial advisor is no different. Preparation before your regular review can help you and the advisor. Here are five basic steps to help you prepare for the next meeting with your Hill client service advisor.
| ACTION STEP | WHY IT’S IMPORTANT | |
| 1 | Clear out other distractions before your meeting. | You are busy with a personal and professional life. But your review meeting is important, and you want to resist the urge to “squeeze it in.” Holding the meeting when all parties are mentally present is critical. Don’t hesitate to change the meeting date if need be. |
| 2 | Review the summary and actions from the last time you met with us. | This will help jog your memory. Your meetings should have continuity without that feeling of starting over. |
| 3 | Reflect on any changes in your family, priorities, spending, employment, and key milestones/events during the past year and ones that you already know will occur in the future. | Your financial plan is unique to you and your family. Sound advice depends upon a context – your life. The more Hill knows about your situation, the more tailored and thoughtful the conversation will be. |
| 4 | Review the agenda sent before the meeting and suggest additions or mark up with your notes. | Your review meeting is for you, and the agenda should reflect your priorities. This will ensure your time is focused on topics that are vital to you and your family. |
| 5 | Draft and bring along any questions and topics you’d like to hear more about. | Formally writing down questions ensures you don’t leave the meeting with that lingering question or topic. |
Years ago, when I taught leadership classes, one of my favorite quotes was from the Tanzanian marathoner Juma Ikangaa, who said, “The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.” Okay, your financial review may not require the same sacrifice as training for a marathon, but taking these five steps can make you feel like your next review is a real win for you and your family.
Independent Difference Campaign
I’m proud to be a part of the independent advisor community. In the most simplistic definition, independence means that our firm does not fall under a major brokerage firm, bank or trust company. We operate independently and work for you, not a corporation. This is a hugely important distinction because our model allows us to operate objectively.
I was recently invited to be a part of a national ad campaign supporting independent advisors around the country, and I was taped saying lines like:
I am a fiduciary, not just some of the time, but all of the time.
As a fiduciary, I promise to put your interest first. Always.
As a fiduciary, I promise to always act in the best interests of you and your family.
We believe these statements at our core and think every investor deserves to be served by someone who works solely for them, as their fiduciary. Reciting these lines came naturally and we’re honored to help support the broader community of advisors.
Stay tuned for more information on the campaign, who it’s associated with, and when it will air!
Image of the Month
Each year, Dimensional analyzes investment returns from a large sample of US-domiciled funds (over 4,000). This year’s study updates results through 2022 and includes returns from mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) domiciled in the US. The evidence shows that a majority of fund managers in the sample failed to deliver benchmark-beating returns after costs. We believe that the results of this research provide a strong case for relying on market prices when making investment decisions.
