What to Expect During a Financial Advising Appointment at Gretchen Rehm Financial
A first appointment with our office could be compared to a first date.
Some people are completely at ease when they first come in, but many are nervous or unsure about what to expect. It’s normal to fear the unknown, so today, we want to put your mind at ease. We are confident that your “first date” will lead to a comfortable, fruitful relationship with our financial advising team!
Let’s go over what you can expect when you meet with us for the first time, and how subsequent interactions will also work.
Do you have to pay for the first meeting?
Our initial consultation with a new client is completely free. You want to get to know us first; we get it. We want to get to know you, too! And building that relationship of mutual trust and understanding is really important. So, no, there is no cost for our first meeting.
We do recommend that you bring your spouse or partner to the first meeting, if applicable.
What questions do we ask you during a consultation?
We often break the ice with some of the basics. We’ll need your pertinent information, like name, address, phone number, and date of birth. Then, we ease into the conversations that you want to have. In general, we just want to gather a picture of your financial needs.
Are we here to plan for your retirement? Do you need help coming up with a household budget? We offer many different services, so getting to know what you need is the next step.
We will also review any current retirement plans and/or financial accounts you have in place. We will discuss any accounts you may wish to move or restructure.
We’ll also ask you about your goals for the future. What big expenses are coming up, such as a dream vacation or a new roof for your house? Do you have education funds for your kids, or would you like to create them? What do you hope to do in retirement? What age do you hope to retire? What would feel “financially fit” to you? Etc!
This first date is one of my favorite parts of my job: Building a relationship, getting to know you, figuring out your priorities, and discovering your dreams for the future.
What questions should you ask during the first consultation?
The questions you’ll want to ask will vary from client to client, based on your needs and hopes for the interaction. Perhaps you want to know more about how we handle retirement plans, or maybe you need assistance understanding your employer’s pension. If you’re self-employed or thinking of starting a business, you’ll want to ask about the investment accounts available to you.
Many questions we hear frequently include “How much do I need to save for retirement?” or “How do we save more?” We also often get asked about different types of insurance products. We may also talk about risk tolerance for investing.
I want you to feel comfortable, too, and as the age-old teacher phrase goes, “No question is a dumb question!” I’m here to help you navigate financial goals and hurdles, and it’s OK not to know all the ins and outs when you walk through the door. That’s why I’m here. So, ask away, and don’t feel shy.
How often do we meet with our clients?
We are always here for you! Ideally, we would love to see you at least once a year.
We like to provide an annual “check-up” to be sure you are tracking toward your goals, review the products we have in place, and discuss any updates or changes we may want to make. As you age, your goals and priorities will change, and your financial plan needs to keep up.
Additionally, meet with us (or at least call our office) if you have a big life change. This could include:
Marriage or divorce
Moved homes
Changed jobs
New child in the home
Many times, our clients just have a quick question, which may not require an entire meeting. Once you are a current client, you can just call or email us, anytime!
What happens during an annual review?
Your annual review is designed to be focused time for you and your goals, providing an open line of communication for any and all questions. These meetings should include both you and your spouse or partner, if applicable.
During your annual review, we will review any life changes, such as the examples mentioned above. These often require adjustments on our end, so we’ll take care of those, too.
We will also look at how your investments are performing and what trends we’re seeing in the marketplace. We may have some recommendations for tweaking your accounts, based on how they are performing. After going over your options, we can make adjustments and fine-tune your plan as you ask us to.
Get on our calendar!
Are you ready for a “first date” or an annual review? Schedule an appointment through our convenient online booking system, or call our office at (507) 304-7017. We look forward to seeing you!