Whether your wealth is valued at $10,000 or $100,000, it is important that you are taking steps to actively address the issues that managing wealth presents. The 8 Wealth Management Issues listed below are very important to our clients and their families. Each of these issues is interrelated and, in fact, acts like a balancing scale. If you make an adjustment to one issue, it affects the other. Without the knowledge of all the 8 Wealth Management Issues, you may find your finances out of balance.

1. Investment management*

It is easy to be overwhelmed with the amount of information in today’s investment environment. Without the professional advice of a financial planner who has knowledge of your specific financial situation, taking action could be detrimental to your investment goals. With us, your certified public accountant can create an investment strategy that is designed just for you with your unique goals and needs in mind.

2. Cash flow & debt management

Cash Flow is the cornerstone of your wealth management plan. Without a clear picture of what money is flowing in and out each month, it is impossible to make informed decisions with respect to the other wealth management issues that affect you. In addition, your debt level and credit history are also important barometers of financial health. Together we can identify where your cash is going each month and evaluate potential opportunities to improve your cash flow through tax strategies and proper debt management.

3. Family risk management

Are you prepared for the unexpected? Even the best investment and financial planning can crumble if you have not properly prepared for the risks that exist for every family. Should something happen to you or a family member such as a disability, death or long-term care need, the careful planning and investing you have so diligently developed can be unraveled in an instant. By learning more about your situation, our financial services can evaluate your current risk plans to determine if they are adequately meeting your needs at this stage of your life and as you plan for the future.

4. Retirement planning*

People entering retirement are facing concerns that retirees simply did not face 20 or 30 years ago. As healthcare is improving and life expectancies rise, you are likely to live longer during retirement than past generations. In addition, it is important to first establish a clear vision of what retirement means to you. Will you continue to work part-time? Will you be traveling the world? We will partner with you to create a plan considering the level of assets needed to fund your vision of retirement including likely income needs, potential tax implications and risks that can stand in the way of realizing your vision.

5. Education planning*

A college education can be the most important factor in helping a child achieve the dream of what they want to be when they grow up. The available education planning choices can be confusing and it is important that you understand how your savings will affect your child’s or grandchild’s ability to qualify for financial aid. We will help you identify how much money you need to send your children or grandchildren to college, determine how much money you need to save and how this is dedicated investment fits with your overall investment management plan.

6. Legacy planning

What type of legacy would you like to leave? Legacy planning is about so much more than just money. Simply stated, a legacy plan ensures that what you want to happen will happen at the time of your passing. However, because the subject of legacy is a complex and emotional topic, many families overlook planning before it’s too late. Having a plan in place reduces the stress and red tape that goes along with losing a loved one. Together, we can create a legacy plan that minimizes the estate taxes that me be incurred, and maximizes the amount of money going to your family.

7. Business planning

As a business owner, you likely face daily challenges such as having enough cash available to take advantage of opportunities when they arise, using the business as a vehicle to save for your and possible your employees’ retirement, and protecting your business from a potentially devastating financial loss. We can help you evaluate and implement strategies that not only protect your business, but also take advantage of opportunities that could improve the cash flow, tax situation, benefits, and bottom line of your business.

8. Special situations planning

Throughout your life, as your pursue your long-term goals, some expected and unexpected needs will come your way, whether it is planning for a wedding, taking a spur-of-the-moment dream vacation, deciding to buy a second home or facing unexpected expenses due to unforeseen events (i.e., having to care for a parent or disabled child). We are here to help you with situations that do not always fit nicely into the other wealth management issues. We can assist in determining a path to get you through whatever financial challenges and opportunities arise. While working with you in these special situations, we will continue to monitor your tax situation as well as your progress in the other wealth management issues.

One thing that you may notice is missing is tax planning, a key focus of Cuddy Financial Services in Auburn, NY. It is not specifically listed as a Wealth Management Issue because, in fact, it is really a common thread through all 8 Wealth Management Issues. By working with our firm, you will know that we are examining each of these 8 Wealth Management Issues through a disciplined approach with your best interest in mind while also considering the tax impact involved in planning for each of these issues.

*These services are offered by Dan Cuddy through his affiliation with HD Vest