Our goal is to help you achieve your goals!
Manage. Grow. Protect. Give. ℠
Our goal is to help you achieve your goals!
Our goal is to help you achieve your goals!
Our goal is to help you achieve your goals!
We are a boutique financial planning firm, with big firm experience, tools, and resources. We help create and implement plans to meet both short-term and long-term goals. Our comprehensive goal-based plans are individually customized and can include strategies to help:
Our plans can incorporate one or more of the following focus areas:
Nick is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a licensed attorney. He serves as the firm's Principal Planner, as he has extensive experience in: wealth management, financial planning, retirement planning, education funding, tax planning, estate planning, business planning, money management, social security, insurance, and annuities. He is driven by his passion to be a trusted advisor to families, individuals, and business professionals, helping them build their wealth, protect what they’ve built, enjoy what they’ve earned, and leave the legacy they choose for their heirs and community. Nick believes a client’s strategy should be clear, concise, and easy to implement and understand.
Prior to becoming an attorney and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Nick was a U.S. Army Infantry Officer. Nick is a combat veteran of the Iraq War, where he received a Bronze Star Medal. After continuously serving in the Army (Active Duty and National Guard) since 1999, Nick retired in 2021 with twenty-two years of honorable service. While serving in the Kansas National Guard, Nick also served as a Kansas State Trooper from 2007-2011. Nick's integrity, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence served him well both in the Army and as a State Trooper; he now focuses those attributes on serving his clients.
Education:
Bar and Court Admissions:
Professional Organizations:
Brenda serves as the firm's Client Service Manager. She was born in Puerto Rico, and at a young age her family moved to the Continental United States. She later attended the University of Central Missouri. She is a member of a large family, and she has experience working in management and customer service. Her main objective at the firm is to interact with clients to ensure a quality experience, while taking into account the unique aspects of each client’s circumstances. Brenda is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish.
Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Streamlining your financial life can reduce stress and save time, thus helping you stay on top of your goals and avoid costly mistakes. These practical tips can help you get started.
1. Set Up Direct Deposit
Skip trips to the bank and ensure your paychecks, Social Security benefits, or other income sources go straight into your account. Direct deposit is fast, secure, and reduces the chance of lost or delayed payments.
2. Automate Bill Payments
Avoid missed deadlines, interest charges, and late fees by setting up automatic payments for recurring bills like utilities, credit cards, and mortgage payments. Many banks and service providers offer this feature, so you can “set it and forget it.”
3. Consolidate Accounts
If you’re juggling multiple checking, savings, or retirement accounts, consider consolidating them. Fewer accounts mean fewer passwords, fewer statements, and less time spent tracking balances. This is especially helpful for investment accounts—consolidating into one brokerage can give you a clearer picture of your portfolio.
4. Use Automated Money Management Tools
There are many apps that can track your spending, budgeting, and investments in one place. These tools make it easy to stay organized and see your financial health at a glance.
5. Automate Your Savings
Whether you’re saving for retirement, a vacation, or an emergency fund, automation is your friend. Set up automatic transfers to savings or retirement accounts each month so you’re always working toward your goals without even thinking about it.
6. Update Legal Documents
It's a good idea to review and/or update your legal documents (trust or will, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, etc.) every few years. If your circumstances have changed (birth of a child or grandchild, moved to a new state, started a new job, death in the family, etc.) make sure your documents reflect your current wishes.
7. Organize Your Filing System
Create a clear system for managing financial documents, whether digital or physical. Sort important files like tax records, insurance policies, and account statements into labeled folders so you can easily find what you need. Throw away outdated paperwork to reduce your physical and mental clutter.
Taxes play a significant role in shaping your investment returns, thus making it essential to implement strategies that reduce your tax burden while fostering growth. A tax-efficient investment plan helps ensure that more of your hard-earned money stays invested and working for you.
1. Maximize Tax-Advantaged Accounts
Leverage investment accounts that provide tax benefits:
Contributing as much as possible to these accounts helps lower taxable income while boosting investment growth.
2. Smart Asset Placement
Different investments have varying tax implications, so choosing the right account type for each asset is key.
3. Use Tax-Loss Harvesting
Offset capital gains by strategically selling underperforming assets at a loss. This technique can help reduce taxable income and may allow for up to $3,000 in deductions per year, with unused losses carried forward for future tax benefits.
4. Hold Investments for the Long Term
Short-term capital gains are taxed at higher rates than long-term gains. By holding investments for over a year, you can take advantage of reduced tax rates and maximize returns.
5. Regularly Review Your Strategy
As tax laws and personal financial situations change, revisiting your tax strategy annually helps keep your investment plan optimized.
Take Control of Your Investment Strategy
Implementing a thoughtful tax strategy allows you to grow your wealth while keeping more of your earnings. If you need expert advice on creating a tax-efficient investment approach, contact us or schedule an appointment for a personalized consultation. Our goal is to use informed strategies to help you achieve your goals.
For many parents and grandparents, deciding how to allocate saving between a loved one’s college education and their own retirement can be challenging. Both are important financial goals, and it’s essential to strike the right balance so that neither is compromised. Below are some strategies to help you manage both priorities effectively.
1. Put Retirement First
While it may be tempting to prioritize a child’s or grandchild’s college fund, securing your own financial future should come first. Unlike education, which has funding options like scholarships, grants, and student loans, there are no loans for retirement. Ensuring a well-funded retirement prevents you from becoming financially dependent on others later.
Maximize contributions to tax-advantaged retirement accounts like a 401(k) or IRA and take full advantage of any employer matching contributions. A good rule of thumb is to save at least 15% of your gross income toward retirement.
2. Save for Both Goals Simultaneously
You don’t have to choose one over the other—start early and contribute to both. Setting up automatic contributions to both a college savings plan, such as a 529 plan, and your retirement accounts allows your savings to grow steadily over time. Even small, consistent contributions can compound significantly.
3. Use Tax-Advantaged Savings Accounts
Retirement Accounts: 401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth IRAs provide tax benefits that help maximize long-term savings for retirement.
529 College Savings Plans: These accounts grow tax-free and offer tax-free withdrawals for qualified educational expenses, making them an excellent option for funding higher education.
4. Encourage the Student to Contribute
Students can help offset education costs by applying for scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities. Encouraging part-time work and budgeting skills can also help reduce reliance on loans while teaching valuable financial responsibility.
5. Adjust Savings Based on Your Timeline
If retirement is decades away and college is approaching soon, you might contribute more toward education in the short term. Conversely, if retirement is near, prioritize retirement savings while making smaller contributions to a college fund.
6. Seek Professional Guidance
Finding the right balance between these financial priorities can be complex. We can help you develop a strategy tailored to your unique situation, to help you meet both your retirement and college savings goals.
With careful planning, it’s possible to prepare for both college expenses and a secure retirement. If you’re unsure how to allocate your savings, contact us or schedule an appointment for a personalized consultation. Our goal is to use informed strategies to help you achieve your goals.
Marriage is a significant milestone in life, bringing together two people in a legally recognized partnership. However, significant shifts in society have led to declining marriage rates over the past several decades. From fear of divorce to simply not recognizing the need for marriage, many singles are avoiding the topic altogether.
Beyond the emotional and social aspects of a permanent union, marriage actually offers several financial advantages that can contribute to greater economic stability and security for couples.
1. Tax Benefits
One of the most notable financial advantages of marriage is the potential for tax savings. Married couples can file jointly, which often results in lower tax rates and higher standard deductions. This can lead to substantial savings, especially for couples with disparate incomes. Additionally, married couples may benefit from various tax credits and deductions, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Credit, which can further reduce their tax liability.
2. Social Security and Pension Benefits
Marriage can enhance Social Security benefits. Spouses are eligible for benefits based on their partner’s earnings record, which can be particularly beneficial if one spouse has significantly lower lifetime earnings. Additionally, surviving spouses may receive their deceased partner’s Social Security benefits, providing financial support in times of need. Many pension plans also offer spousal benefits, ensuring that the surviving spouse continues to receive income.
3. Health Insurance Savings
Married couples often have access to better health insurance options. Many employers offer family health insurance plans that cover spouses, which can be more cost-effective than individual plans. Additionally, if one spouse has access to superior health insurance through their employer, the other spouse can join that plan, potentially saving money on premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.
4. Estate Planning and Inheritance
Marriage simplifies estate planning and inheritance issues. Spouses generally inherit assets tax-free, avoiding hefty estate taxes that might apply to non-spouses. This legal benefit ensures that the surviving spouse can maintain financial stability without the burden of substantial tax liabilities.
5. Financial Planning and Joint Investments
Married couples can pool their resources and plan their finances more effectively. Joint investment accounts, shared savings goals, and coordinated retirement planning can lead to better financial outcomes. Combining incomes also makes it easier to qualify for loans and mortgages, as lenders often view married couples as lower-risk borrowers.
For personalized insights on managing your finances as a married couple, contact us or schedule an appointment, and we’ll be happy to help you navigate the complexities and maximize the benefits of your marital status.
Financial planning can help you reach your goals throughout your life - whether you want to buy a house, save for your kids’ or grandkids' college, live a fulfilling retirement, leave a legacy for your children, or make a difference for a charity.
Contact us or schedule an appointment, and we’ll be happy to help you set your goals, provide a roadmap to reach them, and be your guide to the special tools and strategies that can help you get there.
Financial Planning Offers Benefits At Any Life Stage
When Financial Planning Becomes Critical
It should start with your goals and objectives, and it should help you to:
To achieve those goals, a financial plan may include strategies in one or more of the following focus areas:
You should meet with us to review your plan at least once per year and before any major life event.
Contact us or schedule an appointment to review your plan or discuss anything new.
Why Estate Planning Matters
Estate Planning isn’t just about writing a Will. It involves organizing your assets, making decisions about their distribution, and considering tax implications. Without a well-crafted estate plan, your loved ones could face unnecessary financial and legal challenges during an already emotional time.
Estate Planning is important for families, even young families. Although you may not have accumulated a lot of assets, it's important to have a plan in place should you pass away earlier than expected, leaving behind a spouse and young children, so that your family is taken care of.
For retirees, Estate Planning is especially critical. Many have accumulated a lifetime of assets, from retirement accounts to property, that require thoughtful planning to ensure they are passed on efficiently and equitably.
Addressing Financial and Tax Considerations
While an estate planning attorney is essential for creating a legally sound plan, financial planners also play a key role in this process. Many Estate Plans involve financial components that require careful consideration, such as:
The Importance of Collaboration
An Estate Plan works best when your attorney and financial planner collaborate. Your attorney ensures the plan is legally sound, while your financial planner provides insight into the financial implications of your decisions. Together, they help you create a comprehensive plan that protects your legacy. When you work with us, it's easy to have your financial planner and your attorney present and working together for you just by scheduling a single meeting.
It' Never Too Early to Start the Estate Planning Conversation
Althought sometimes hard, it's important to make or find time to begin discussions about Estate Planning and consult with professionals to ensure your plan is clear, thorough, and aligned with your goals.
Schedule a consultation with us, and together, we’ll create a plan that supports your wishes and protects your loved ones.
When it comes to estate planning for blended families, key issues include ensuring fairness between biological children and stepchildren, managing potential conflicts between spouses and their previous families, and addressing wealth disparities. Solutions often involve utilizing trusts to distribute assets strategically, open communication within the family, and clearly outlining inheritance plans in a will to avoid confusion.
Main Issues:
Potential Solutions:
Specific Considerations for Blended Families:
You should review your estate plan every three to five years, or after significant life events. You should also review your plan if there are changes in laws that affect your investments or taxes.
When to review
Why to review
What to do
It's important to have your estate plan reviewed by an experienced estate planning attorney. Schedule a meeting with us to discuss any potential changes to your plan.
While sharing your wealth can bring joy, it’s essential to be mindful of federal gift tax rules. Properly planning your gifts not only ensures compliance with tax laws but can also serve as a strategic way to manage your estate and reduce future tax burdens for your heirs.
What Is the Gift Tax Exclusion?
The federal gift tax exclusion allows individuals to give a certain amount to others each year without incurring gift tax or affecting their lifetime estate tax exemption. In 2024, the annual exclusion is $18,000 per recipient for individuals or $36,000 for married couples who give jointly.
For example, if you’re a parent, you can gift $18,000 to each of your children, and if you’re married, you and your spouse can give $36,000 together. These gifts are tax-free for both the giver and the recipient, and they don’t need to be reported to the IRS if they fall within the exclusion limits.
Gifts as a Tax Strategy
Annual gifts can be a smart way to pass on a portion of an heir’s inheritance while avoiding potential tax implications later. By reducing the size of your estate through these gifts, you can minimize future estate taxes while providing financial support to your loved ones now.
Charitable Giving and Income Tax Benefits
If you’re considering gifts to qualified charitable organizations, you may also benefit from an income tax deduction. Charitable gifts must be made by December 31 to qualify for deductions in the current tax year. These contributions can reduce your taxable income while supporting causes close to your heart.
Consult Your Financial Planner
While the gift tax exclusion rules provide valuable opportunities for tax-efficient giving, they can be complex, especially if you’re making larger gifts or have questions about your overall estate plan. A financial planner can help you navigate the nuances, align your giving with your financial goals, and ensure compliance with tax laws. Contact us to discuss how gifting fits into your estate and tax situation, and we’ll help you decide upon a thoughtful giving strategy.
It's never too early to get started on your plan.
Contact us or schedule an appointment to tell us more about your goals, and we'll be happy to help you get started on the path to achieving them.
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Comprehensive Wealth Planning, LLC
The content presented is published solely for informational purposes, and it was developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The content is not intended as financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. to receive such advice, You should discuss your particular facts and circumstances with your financial or investment advisor, tax professional, or attorney. The content is not a solicitation nor an offer to buy or sell any investment product. Viewing of content does not create an advisor-client, nor an attorney-client, relationship with anyone. All investments, strategies, and Plans have the potential for gain or loss.
Investment products and financial planning services are offered through Comprehensive Wealth Planning, LLC (“CWP”). CWP is a Kansas registered Limited Liability company (LLC) and a state Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) offering products and services to clients nationally. Click to view CWP’s Investment Advisor Public Disclosures and Registration Status.
* estate planning and other legal services are offered through Jenkins Legal, LLC (“JL”). JL is a Kansas registered Limited Liability Company (LLC) offering services to clients in Kansas & Missouri.
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