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Eliminating the Gamble for Financial Independence
What is the likelihood you can achieve financial independence?
Government research has shown that for every 100 people who start their careers...
* 29 die before reaching age 65;
* 68 reach age 65 with median annual incomes of less than $26,000; and
* only 3 reach age 65 with annual incomes over $26,000.
None of these people started out to fail financially. Yet, according to facts,
most did. They didn't plan to fail...they failed to plan.
Our professional planners can help you achieve the financial independence you
need. Cash management, retirement planning, investment planning, tax planning
and estate planning are only a few of the personal services we provide. And
you can count on us to help you modify and maintain your financial plans as
your needs and goals change.
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Your Goals Are Our First Priority
The first level of financial planning decision making is strategic. We take
into account your goals and values. The second level addresses generic portfolio
decisions. Finally, individual product decisions are made...once the field has
been narrowed to those products capable of filling your specific needs.
In reality, some people tend to reverse the order of their decision making.
They do this primarily because of how they are being influenced by specialists,
salespeople, or by media advertising, all of which are almost always promoting
their product or service first. As a result, most people tend to buy financial
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The Questions of the Financial Plan
The best way to systematically strive for financial independence is through
the development of and adherence to a coordinated, objectively prepared financial
plan which encompasses all aspects of your financial life. The August Group
can assist in the development and implementation of your plan.
We are truly oriented to your goals. We center our analysis around your feelings
regarding these six financial questions:
(Growth and Protection of Capital)
1. Do I want a better hedge against inflation?
2. Do I want to reduce my tax burden?
3. What level of risk am I willing to accept?
4. How much ready access to my money do I want to maintain?
(Use of Capital)
5. What do I earn? How do I spend it?
6. What potential benefits do I want for my family now, and in the future?
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Development of a Comprehensive Financial Plan
How is your personalized financial plan developed?
During the initial phase of plan development, the "discovery" process,
we work with you to determine your concerns, goals, and investment comfort level.
We also review your resources and accomplishments to date. With this information,
we will prepare an accomplishment profile which compares your total savings
and investment program to your concerns and goals, whether it is your children's
education, a comfortable retirement, or that boat you've been thinking about.
Finally, we will make appropriate recommendations for relieving any imbalances
between what you want to do and what you are actually doing.
The financially-related areas we review in the course of plan development include:
- cash management
- income taxation
- investment planning
- business planning
- risk management
- accumulation
- retirement planning
- estate planning
The types of products and strategies which may be appropriate and useful in
addressing your financial situations include:
- mutual funds, including money market, tax exempt, bond, growth, balanced,
etc.
- unit investment trusts
- tax sheltered annuities
- IRA's
- variable and fixed annuities
- single premium deferred annuities
- life insurance
- individual non-cancelable disability protection
- professional overhead expense protection
- business buy-out plans
- business pension and profit sharing plans
- deferred compensation plans
- group life, health (with or without dental) and disability benefits
- limited partnerships (real estate, oil and gas)
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Implementation: The Key Step
No matter how thoroughly the work is done, the creation of your financial plan
is only half the job. That effort may serve no purpose if your plan is not implemented.
There may be work to be done by your other professional advisors such as your
attorney, accountant, or banker. With our service, their efforts are coordinated
on your behalf. There also may be recommendations in the areas of investments
or other products. You may implement these through your current advisors or
through our firm, at your option. We are also available to periodically review
your plan to keep it up to date.
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What Does All This Cost?
For the development of the financial plan, including appropriate analyses and
recommendations, The August Group charges a fee. We have a number of different
plan levels available, varying in scope and complexity depending on the client's
financial planning needs. Our fees vary accordingly. However we work with you
to determine and agree upon the fee, before any plan development beings.
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In Summary
To use your financial resources wisely, time can be your ally. Procrastination
is undoubtedly your most harmful enemy when it comes to achievement of your
financial goals.
Don't delay taking the first step towards securing you financial future. Contact
your August Group Advisor now and schedule an initial interview. There is no
charge for this initial fact-finding consultation.
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