As our founder attained one of the highest levels of education and proficiency in the financial planning industry, he began to notice that there were deficiencies in how traditional financial planning is practiced.  He found that the average person doesn't even know what they should be focusing on.  So often, they seek out an advisor in an attempt to find better rates of return on their investments, better financial products, or pursue abstract goals like "I just want to retire" - chasing urgent issues or things that they feel they ought to be doing while giving little consideration to things that are truly important and meaningful to them.  From a purely financial perspective, some of the well-regarded advisors are able to demonstrate that the value of working with an advisor is found much more in the planning process than in simply getting higher rates of return.  But even creating great financial plans for people seemed to be lacking something.  Searching for a better way, he found a group of industry thought leaders, including Richard Wagner and George Kinder, who were pioneers of a revolutionary idea known as Life Planning.

Life Planning is a holistic approach to financial planning that puts the person at the center and not their money.  It may sound obvious that a financial planner should first understand a client's fundamental goals and values before talking about investments or retirement plans.  In practice, however, most people have dreams for their lives that are closely guarded because they are out of touch with their feelings.  This can be due to misconceptions about money or talents.  These beliefs often frustrate the most well-intentioned planning process.  Moreover, financial planners may often be better trained in the matter of returns, mortgages, and pensions than with the human side of money.

Life Planners receive excellent training in how they can help clients to express their deeper aspirations, so a financial plan is intimately connected to the life a client most desires.  It puts the important things back in their rightful place within the plan.  In this process, clients also create a much deeper and longer-lasting relationship with their financial planner because they feel understood.  For advisors, Life Planning is also great because they have much more satisfying relationships, less turnover, and more referrals.  It's a very positive experience for both parties.

Simply put, Life Planning is financial planning... done right!