Nine Building Blocks

1. Comprehensive four-step goal setting process

1. Develop general goals and wishes (where some planning efforts stop)
2. Conduct a reality check using cash flow analysis and “what ifs”
3. Identify improvement activities and resulting impact to attain wishes
4. Develop final goals based on improved cash flow analysis

2. Extensive cash flow analysis with "what if" scenarios

• General assumptions
• Market Downturn
• Inflation
• Unexpected Disability
• Early Death
• Expense Analysis

3. Defensive financial strategies

• Increase Cushion Building
• Set-up Automatic Unexpected Preparation
• Insurance (Life, Disability, Long-term Care)
• Trading tools
• Increase Attention to Detail
• Dodge Uncle Sam (legally)

4. Offensive financial strategies

• Set-up Steady Eddy Investments
• Consider Use of Real Assets
• Consider Use of Real Estate
• Consider Stock Screens for “Play Money”
• Use New Trading Tools

5. Use of advanced technology

• Trade Triggers
• Record Keeping
• Personal Web-site
• Communication Tool

6. Pressure-tested estate and tax planning

• Increase Giving Options
• Consider Tax-advantaged Educational Funding
• Consider Use of Life Insurance

7. Centralized record-keeping

• Centralized Documentation
• Use of New Technology
• Collaborative software and web sites
• Asset Documentation

8. Development of detailed action plans with completion dates

• Increase Frequency
• Develop and Review Action Plans
• Economic and Political Reviews
• Continual Re-alignment

9. Monthly monitoring (examples)

• Documentation
• Trust Development
• Record-keeping
• Portfolio Re-balancing
• Beneficiary Reviews
• Expense Recording
• Insurance Purchasing
• Budget Monitoring
• "What To Do When I Die" Letter
• Economic and Political Review, So What?, and Now What?