What to expect during the Discovery Meeting
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Hi, this is Linda Rogers from Planning Within Reach. So we just had the initial call and we determined that we're a good fit for each other. The next step is for you to schedule the Discovery Meeting.
Meeting Setup
This is what is going to happen at that meeting. It's a Zoom call, so we are on video. It's 30 minutes. There is no prep for you whatsoever. This is the agenda.
Goal Review
First, we are going to go through each of your goals that you mentioned on the Initial Call. We're going to dive into the details and the assumptions. College is a perfect example. There are many people that have kids and want to help them with college. But how do they define that? Do they want to help them with two years of tuition, four years, public school, or private school? I can make these assumptions if you don't know or you want me to back into what you can afford, but if you discussed it and you have strong opinions about what you want, then this is the time to tell me so that I can incorporate it into the plan and just make the plan much more meaningful for you. So we go through all of your goals, document that on the screen so you can see it.
We Discuss your Experience with Investing
How did you react during the last recession? So 2008, or even March 2020 when the market was really moving - did you sleep at night? Did you sell everything and move to bonds, or to cash? That helps me just gauge your risk tolerance. And I would say it is a better gauge than the online questionnaires that many firms have you fill out because you just don't know how you are going to react until it happens. So that is very helpful for me in building your investment portfolio.
Understanding how you Communicate about Financial Decisions
If you are married or going through the process with a partner, I will also ask how you communicate about financial decisions. So does one person take the lead? That is really common and that is fine, but we do ask that you both be part of the process because if something happens to the person taking the lead, we don't want the surviving partner to be in the dark and to be confused and not know what their strategy is. So we ask that once a year we all get together and just stay on top of your financial picture. We ask, do you fight about money, which I know is personal. You don't have to share. But again, if there are triggers that we can help with or anxiety where you are losing sleep and getting stressed about something, this is the time to tell me just so I can try and help and incorporate that into the plan.
You will have the opportunity share anything else I should know
That is pretty much everything on my end. I will finish out the meeting just by asking - is there anything else that you want me to know before I go ahead and build the plan? I'll remind you of the process, which is that you will then upload your documents to the encrypted site. I will review them, present the plan over Zoom again in about two to four weeks, and that is when the payment is due. Then you will just reach out with any questions. So that is the Discovery call. I look forward to chatting with you.
Linda Rogers, CFP®, EA, MSBA is the owner and founder of Planning Within Reach, LLC (PWR). Originally from New Jersey, Linda services clients throughout San Diego county and nationwide. She leads the design of PWR's investment portfolios which utilize broad, low-cost investments that integrate environmentally, socially, and governance (ESG) factors.
Planning Within Reach, LLC (PWR) is a fee-only and fiduciary wealth management firm offering one-time comprehensive financial planning, ongoing impact-focused investment management and tax preparation services in San Diego and nationwide. PWR is a woman-owned firm that specializes in busy professionals and impact investors. Planning Within Reach, LLC and their advisors do not receive commissions and do not hold any insurance licenses or brokerage relationships.