Areas for Planning

Thorough financial planning will take you through many topics and areas that each affect your overall financial future. Though each is important in its own way, the effectiveness of a thorough financial plan is truly greater than the sum of its parts. We will cover and discuss each of these areas with you and may, at times, call upon the expertise of other industry professionals such as accountants, attorneys, or mortgage lenders.

Investment Management

Multiple recent market corrections in the stock markets have taught us all the importance of investing within your risk tolerance and not to get complacent during long bull markets. The latest new trend mutual fund or high tech stock may not be an appropriate or acceptable risk for you. By getting to know you better, we can assist you in creating a sound financial plan that will both suit your risk tolerances and point you in the direction to pursue your goals.

Retirement Planning Tools:

When it comes to the definition of retirement each person has his/her idea of when and how. In working with you to better understand your financial needs, as well as your desired retirement lifestyle, we can help you to plan accordingly. Whether you have access to a 401(k), 401(a), 403(b), 457, IRA, Roth IRA or a number of other plans we can help you to sort out which options are the most appropriate for your current and future situation.

Education Planning Tools

Tax-advantaged accounts to save for college have undergone many changes over the past twenty years and it can be daunting to understand the advantages and limitations of each. For instance, many states have made contributions to 529 plans tax deductible under certain guidelines, and 529 plans are NOT limited to use within any one state. Whether for a child, a grandchild, or yourself there are many options in planning for college, graduate school, trade school, and even private school. We can help you to understand your options and to devise a course of action for the future.

Income Tax Planning and Accounting Review

Federal and state governments are regularly changing the income tax codes making it very important to ensure that you are maximizing your options within the laws. Our office works with many independent accountants who can work with you to review your current tax situation as well as previous years’ returns. If you are currently working with an accountant we are more than happy to work with them to see that your tax planning is in line with your financial plans, your withholding is correct, and you are taking advantage of all tax-reducing options.

Life Insurance

The companies and industry everyone loves to hate! As you go through life, your life insurance needs will continue to change. Life insurance can serve many purposes including income replacement, charitable giving, estate planning, and business transitioning. There is no magic multiplier by which to determine your need for coverage. A short conversation with you can help us to recommend a coverage plan that is efficient and effective to address your needs.

Debt Analysis

While credit cards, mortgages, home-equity loans, student loans, and auto loans are common place in today’s society, we at the Fundamental Financial Group do not view debt as a tool to achieve financial security. We will help you evaluate, prioritize, and structure your debt load in a way that fits your overall financial plan. If you are contemplating entering into a new loan we can help you to decide which is the most approriate solution for your situation.

Estate Planning

Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney are all important pieces in estate planning these days. Recent HIPAA laws have shown us that it is never too early to begin putting the pieces into place. Even so, having the documents in place does not always mean that the financial planning is in union with the estate planning. We will gladly meet with you and your attorney to ensure that your documentation is thorough and that the financial pieces work with the legal pieces, and not against them. If you are not currently working with an estate planning professional we can recommend one to you.

Home and Auto Insurance Review

Property and casualty insurance come in the forms of home owner’s, renter’s, automobile, boat, personal liability, and many others. Issuing companies are highly competitive and, at times, may sacrifice better coverage for a lower premium. We will take the time to educate you on how your current policies are structured, detailing areas such as deductibles and coverage limits, to ensure that your policies are appropriate to your situation.

Financial Peace University

It is said that 80% of finance is our behavior and how we treat money, leaving 20% to numbers and calculations. Financial Peace University (FPU) is a course designed by Dave Ramsey, a respected advocate for financial education, to help you become more aware of your behaviors and assist in getting them better aligned with your financial goals. Brian Coles has led many FPU sessions and continues to do so throughout the year. Contact him today for information on future classes or if you have previously taken the course and would like to join in on individual sections as a refresher. If you are interested in coaching or counseling with regards to your overall situation or a specific area such as monthly budgeting, Brian is a trained Financial Peace Counselor.

Financial Peace University and Dave Ramsey are not affiliated with LPL Financial or Fundamental Financial Group.

529 tax treatment at the state level may vary. Please consult with your tax advisor prior to investing.