Broker Check

Home Page

Why Choose Us for Your Financial Planning Needs?

What do you need to make calmer, more confident financial decisions?

What would make sorting through and assessing your investment options easier?

Have you moved past the common-sense solutions but don’t know how to take your investments to the next level?

Has your life or financial situation become more complex, requiring changes in your investments?

What would it take to have a more successful and satisfying relationship with money?

What do you need and expect from your professional financial advisor?


Our Financial Planning Services
Are Designed to Help You:

Organize and manage your money to fund your dreams and plans.

Understand and be comfortable with how your money works for you.

Make confident decisions when things change.


Financial Planning
We help you organize your finances to plan for your future and your dreams.

LEARN MORE

tablet with pen icon

Investment Management
Our knowledge of and experience with investment strategies and options helps you decide what's right for you.

LEARN MORE

outline of couple in retirement age

Retirement Planning
Whether by choice or by circumstance, a "steady paycheck" eventually goes away. Decide on the investments and carry out the plans that help you build an enjoyable life after your career or business ends.

LEARN MORE

drawing of shield over arm holding cane

Longevity Planning
Address the difficult questions concerning your future care and health. We serve as the focal point to help you and your family work through the issues and determine the best solutions.

LEARN MORE

Widow Financial Services
Money decisions can be hard enough during ordinary life. The loss of your husband has a large impact on everything. We help you transition your finances at a pace you can handle.

LEARN MORE

 

FAQs

What is a Certified Financial Planner?

Not every financial planner is certified, and there is no governing body regulating the "financial planner" title.

A Certified Financial Planner is a professional who has successfully completed the requirements of the CFP® designation as defined by the CFP Board. Each CFP completed a course of study, successfully passed the certification exam, acquired hands-on experience with clients, and complies with ethical and professional responsibility standards.

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals are uniquely qualified to help you pull your finances together, create plans, and solve financial problems to achieve your financial goals.


What is comprehensive financial planning?

Financial planning is the process of understanding your financial goals, knowing when you will need to use your money, and what you will be using it for. That information then drives the development a plan of action with specific steps you need to take to achieve those goals.

A good financial planner will give you advice across a range of topics as they are relevant to you and your situation:

What you need to differently
How much you need to save
What types of retirement accounts to use (IRA, Roth, 401(k), etc.)
How much to keep in your emergency fund
What changes might improve your tax situation
What rate of return you will need to earn to achieve your goals over a given time frame
At Waterstone Financial Services, we consider all relevant areas of your life when creating or helping you execute your plan. When things change, we help you update your plans. For example, investments are generally allocated across different types of assets.

When you make changes, we help you evaluate the potential income tax consequences. If you don’t consider all aspects of the plan, one area may be adversely affected by isolated decisions, leaving you with an undesired result.


How do I figure out my retirement needs when things change so much?

Even with the rapid changes our economy is experiencing, it still makes sense to follow a process to figure out these hard questions. We have a flexible yet comprehensive process that we walk through with our clients. This process helps you in two ways:

You learn as they go through the process, which empowers you to make better decisions.
Our process is repeatable and adjustable as needed to meet changing needs and economic conditions.

I have accumulated substantial assets, but as I build for the future, it's getting more complicated. Can you help me?

Yes. People who need more sophisticated financial planning or advice will find our services appealing and beneficial.

What is involved in changing financial advisors?

Once you have selected a new advisor whom you want to work with, the process to transfer your investments is straightforward. Generally, your new advisor will ask for specific information about your current investment accounts. Then he or she will ask you to complete paperwork that gives them permission to transfer the funds in accordance with your wishes.

 
How do I choose an investment professional?

First, research the investment professionals you are considering. The Financial Industry Regulatory Association provides excellent guidelines on how to ensure you have a productive relationship with the financial professional.

Then consider the chemistry between the two of you and how much interaction you feel you will need to be happy with their services.

How do I develop a financial plan to meet my family's needs?

There are basically two paths to develop such a plan: do it yourself or work with a qualified financial advisor. However, the decision of which way to go can be complicated. Here are some things to consider:

How much time and effort are you willing to invest in learning about the stock markets, other investment types/opportunities, and economic conditions? Both initially and on an ongoing basis?
Are you willing to document where you have put the money, account numbers, logins and passwords, and related information so your family can locate it should something happen to you?
What are your thoughts about financial wins and losses? It's much easier, of course, to accept the former. However, the latter are inevitable as well.
We suggest you read books and web sites about investing to familiarize yourself with what's involved before investing on your own. If you are ready to consider working with a financial advisor, we would be happy to talk with you.