Michael Riggs
Financial Advisor|CFP®, RICP®, MBA, CLTC®
What To Expect
In our commitment to your financial success, we start by getting to know you and what is important to you. Our approach integrates cutting-edge tools and resources, including the industry leading Northwestern Mutual FINANCIAL PLANNING SOFTWARE and a PERSONALIZED PORTAL with MOBILE APP, to provide you with a tangible, accessible and PERSONALIZED FINANCIAL PLAN.
1. Understand Your Values and Goals
The foundation of good financial planning is RELATIONSHIP and TRUST. That’s why we need to get to know you! We provide a safe place to DREAM ABOUT YOUR FUTURE. Our approach to making financial decisions is VALUES AND GOALS-BASED and PLAN-DRIVEN, as opposed to MARKET-BASED and EMOTION-DRIVEN. Taking time to understand what is most important to our clients in the near future, mid-term and long-term is essential to our RESPONSIBILITY of giving recommendations that are truly in the client’s best interest. Our clients are not blown by the wind of emotion toward the latest market fear or investing fad. Instead, they have the CONFIDENCE that comes from a PRINCIPLED APPROACH to a SOLID FINANCIAL STRATEGY AND PLAN that is based on what is most important to them.
2. Identify Your Current Path
It takes COURAGE to take an honest look at our present course of action and compare it with our goals. We help clients gather relevant information, such as balance sheet items, savings rates, investments and insurance. Our clients then have CLARITY on how their current actions will play out if they do not change anything.
3. Analyze and Make Recommendations
After a thorough analysis of our client’s current path by our team, we are then able to give SIMPLE, CLEAR STEPS forward to build a solid plan. We identify any THREATS and WEAKNESSES that could compromise the plan, like dying too early, or living too long, or becoming disabled and seeing their income get cut in half or go away. These situations often force people to steal money from their future income set aside for themselves in retirement accounts in order to meet immediate lifestyle needs. We also Identify STRENGTHS and OPPORTUNITIES to make the plan as efficient as possible, so that our clients can keep ENJOY as much of their hard-earned money as possible vs seeing their savings evaporate in a market downturn or being given away in confiscatory taxes.
4. Implement Recommendations
Taking baby steps and doing that consistently is the key to success. No one we meet with is in the place they want to be. They want to see things IMPROVE and GET BETTER. Also, no one can implement everything they want to do all at once! We help our clients identify one or two things that are IMPACTFUL and MEANINGFUL, and still DOABLE and AFFORDABLE that they can implement to take a step forward. We help them understand what must be done NOW, what should be done SOON, and what could be done LATER. A clear path forward gives our clients PEACE OF MIND and CONFIDENCE knowing that they are controlling that which can be controlled and are moving forward toward their goals.
5. Scheduled Reviews
No one has a crystal ball that predicts the future. That’s why we meet with our clients on a consistent basis to review the plan, update their goals, and take a step forward. This provides an opportunity to CELEBRATE THE WINS AND PROGRESS toward their goals. WHAT WE MONITOR, TRACK, AND REWARD, WE GET MORE OF! These check-ins help our clients make adjustments and be intentional in
LIVING THEIR BEST LIFE!
Client Testimonial
Mike assisted me in developing a long-term investment plan while changing careers. His guidance ensures I make the most of my resources, even though investment and insurance aren't on my daily radar. Mike's straightforward and available approach makes these complex topics more approachable, providing reassurance for the future.
Our approach is tailored to make the most significant impact on those who share our values and vision. We tend to have the most profound influence on families with strong values who prioritize financial intelligence, strategic thinking, and efficiency when it comes to their money. They want to make the most of their resources to secure their family's future.
Pre-Retirees
Our expertise shines when working with pre-retirees who are within approximately 5 to 10 years of retirement or those recently retired. These individuals have typically been GREAT SAVERS through their working years. But when it comes to understanding of how to effectively transition their savings into retirement income it gets COMPLICATED. The distribution phase is where all the RISKS are, like PAYING TAXES, weathering MARKET DOWNTURNS, and even when to CLAIM SOCIAL SECURITY. We can help.
Corporate Employees
These clients often have a more COMPLEX financial landscape that requires specialized attention to MAXIMIZE their wealth and PROTECT their assets. Being in HIGH INCOME TAX brackets can feel CONFISCATORY. Having strategy to MINIMIZE TAX today and in retirement leaves more you and your family. Also, understanding decisions on STOCK OPTION PLANS, PENSIONS, and other deferred compensation can be confusing. We can help.
Business Owners
We have a strong affinity for small business owners who employ 5-50 individuals. Many of these business owners have significant assets tied up in their businesses and the future sale of the business may be key to their personal goals. Having a good SUCCESSION PLAN in place is important to transitioning business interest in the most efficient way. Having a fully funded BUY/SELL AGREEMENT helps protect the business interest. Retaining KEY EMPLOYEES is important to increasing ENTERPRISE VALUE. And GROUP BENEFITS can be important in retaining quality employees in a growing business. We can help you here.
Whether you're an experienced investor, a diligent saver, or a business owner navigating complex financial waters, our team is here to guide you. We provide customized strategies to help you make the most of your wealth, secure your future, and turn life's uncertainties into opportunities.
Make the most of your financial resources, no matter where you are on your financial journey.
Questions Our Clients Often Ask
Our clients often have a range of questions on their minds, including:
When can I retire?
How much can I spend in retirement?
When should I claim Social Security?
How do my assets work together?
How do I make sure I don't run out of money?
How should I plan for a future long term care event?
How can I do something special for my kids, grandkids, or favorite charity?
These questions represent some of the most common financial concerns, and our team is dedicated to providing answers and solutions tailored to your unique situation.
Client Testimonial
When I was finally making decent money, I decided it was time to tackle things I had been postponing like preparing for my children’s college education. I knew that what I had through my employer wasn't enough. Mike’s firm crafted a comprehensive plan, provided an actionable roadmap, and followed up proactively. A huge weight has been removed. As a mom and the financial manager of the family there was a huge weight being responsible for our futures but now all things are possible. If you have financial uncertainty or feel like it's time to start adulting or have some pieces that need put together, Mike is an excellent choice.
Ready to Transform Your Financial Future?
Let's take the next step together.