How To Prepare For A Meeting With Financial Advisor (i.e. Engineer of Finance) Ken Greene

 

I’m consistently asked by prospective clients, “how can we meet and what should I bring with me?” Great questions, and the answer is it depends on what type of meeting we’re having. I basically have three types of meetings: a quick intro meeting, a full intro meeting, and a strategy and design meeting. The type of meeting determines your homework assignment (what to bring).

 

Prepping for the Quick Intro Meeting (15 minutes)

If you were referred to me by a friend, you’re a listener of my podcast, “The Engineer of Finance Podcast,” and/or you’re a reader of my blogs, you might have a few questions. You might wonder how to prepare for a quick intro meeting with me. There’s not much to do, other than write down a few of the questions you have for me and then pick up the phone and give my office a call to schedule a time for us to talk for 15 minutes. Or go to the ‘Contact Us’ page on my website and schedule a quick intro meeting with my online scheduling page to set a time that’s convenient for you for an online meeting or phone call. Whatever is easiest for you. The online calendar system is simple and convenient. If you prefer to call, I assure you, you will never get a call tree. You’ll always get a friendly voice that is happy to help you.

 

Prepping for the Intro Meeting (60 minutes)

In this meeting, you probably have a bunch of questions (especially, if you’re an engineer – in which case, awesome. I love lots of questions and answering all of them). I would recommend the same steps as what I mentioned previously to set up an appointment, but this time schedule 60 minutes. Write down all of your questions, don’t be hesitant to ask anything and everything. You worked hard to earn your money and you should ask me a lot of questions to determine if I am the right person to help you take the next step. I am confident that after our meeting, you will have gotten a lot of value out of our time together. Even if we determine I’m not the right person to help you, I’ll be able to point you to the right person that can.

 

Prepping for the Strategy & Design Meeting (90 minutes)

This is the next step after an introductory meeting if you have determined that I am the right person to serve you. You like and trust me. I like and trust you. And you have determined that I’m extremely competent at what I do as a financial advisor. This is where you start learning a different way to play the financial game! This is a focused 90-minute session. In this meeting, working together, we will create a custom strategy and design, based on your wish list (priorities & dreams).

As an engineer, I am very good at identifying something in a design or project that could be improved. I love troubleshooting. This background and skill set has really helped me as a financial advisor. I take an efficient and unique approach to finances for my clients. Now if you need my help on clothing choices, interior decorating, architecture, (anything related to looks & style) I don’t recommend you ask my opinion.

In order to create the right strategy and design, I need to understand where you’re at. What’s your current financial environment? Therefore, I ask for all the documents that show your income, debts, liabilities, assets, and how it’s all protected (e.g. trusts, insurance, state law). This is your homework.

Below is a sample of some of the questions that we will address:

  • How much liability protection do you have for your home, cars/trucks, toys, etc.?
    • What are the deductibles?
  • Did you file a homestead on your home?
  • Do you have disability insurance?
  • Do you have life insurance?
  • Do you have debt?
  • What liabilities do you have?
    • What are the interest rates on those liabilities?
  • What are you invested in? The stock market? Real Estate? Cryptocurrency? Rare Metals?
    • Are you using qualified plans such as 529s, IRAs, 401Ks?
  • What tax liabilities do you have (e.g. income taxes, property taxes)?
  • What tax mortgages are waiting for you at retirement?
  • What assets are creditor protected?

 

The above questions are a snippet of what we will address together. The more thorough you are with your homework, the better I can identify areas where we can change how money flows and recapture hundreds of thousands of dollars if not, millions of dollars for you and your family. My goal is to create a lot more cash flow and wealth (financial independence) for you and your families as opposed to the norm: banks and brokerages getting wealthier and wealthier by teaching their clients to do the exact opposite of what they’re doing.

To learn more, and to get a copy of my homework assignment: call my office, send me an email, or use the online scheduler to set up a quick intro meeting with me. If you read through this entire blog there is a good chance you will enjoy meeting me and I’ll enjoy meeting you.