How We Work
The Lighthouse Planning Process
A process designed to bring clarity to your financial life, anchored in your values and guided by your goals.
What To Expect
Financial Life Planning + Investment Management
I believe time is more valuable than money, and that the ultimate goal is a life well-lived. To support you on that journey, we first explore what that vision looks like for you. Then we start to build your personal Financial Life Plan so you can optimize your money for your ideal life, and take action with clarity and confidence.
TOPICS COVERED
Comprehensive Financial Life Planning
Holistic planning for your whole financial life. Here’s a summary of topics we will cover together.
Core | If Applicable
A Simple Starting Point
Intro Call (20–30 min)
We start with a relaxed, no-pressure conversation. You’ll get a feel for how I work, and we’ll explore whether we’re a good fit to work together. I’ll also answer any initial questions you may have about the planning process, timeline, or fees.
Sometimes clients come through strong referrals and already know they want to dive in. In those cases, we may move directly into the Discovery phase.
How We Work
Your First Year
Step One:
Life Planning (E+V+O)
Once you’ve officially come aboard, we begin where all meaningful planning starts—with your life.
This is the heart of the Life Planning process, guided by a 3-meeting sequence called Exploration, Vision, and Obstacles (E + V +O).* These meetings are held two weeks apart. We’ll talk about what matters most to you, how you define a fulfilling life, and what you’re working toward, not just financially, but personally.
This isn’t about retirement projections or spreadsheets. It’s about creating space for you (and your partner, if applicable) to get really clear on your vision. That clarity will shape every recommendation that follows.
You’ll also be onboarded into your secure Financial Life Planning dashboard, where we’ll start syncing accounts, and collecting the documents and data needed to build your plan.
*the EVOKE® Method was designed by The Kinder Institute of Life Planning. Used by permission of George Kinder © 1999-2025.
Step Two:
Baseline Planning
With your vision in focus, we’ll work together to map out where things currently stand—your income, spending, business, assets, liabilities, benefits, and more.
We’ll pull this together into your Financial Life Plan dashboard, giving us a comprehensive and visual baseline of your financial life today. From here, we can begin to see how your current path aligns—or doesn’t—with your goals.
We’ll answer the foundational question: Am I on track?
And more importantly: Is this track taking me where I actually want to go?
Step Three:
Cash Flow + Tax Saving
Now that we know where you are and where you want to go, we’ll connect the two.
Together we’ll create a forward-looking cash flow strategy—helping you align your income with your priorities across saving, spending, giving, investing, and paying down debt.
We’ll assign every dollar a purpose, ensuring your financial decisions reflect your values and move you steadily toward your goals.
This isn’t just about budgets. It’s about intentionality and freedom.
We’ll also do a high-level review of your most recent tax return to find potential opportunities to collaborate with your CPA and reduce your life-time tax bill.
Step Four:
Investment Strategy + Implementation
Once your cash flow strategy and goals are clearly defined, we can shape an investment strategy to support them.
We will help you better understand how markets work, the factors that drive long-term success, and how to use your investments as a tool—not a guessing game.
With clear time horizons around your goals, we’ll review your current accounts, allocations, and provide recommendations for aligning your investments with your long-term plan.
I use an evidence-based investment philosophy rooted in trusting global markets, cost-efficiency, and long-term thinking. Whether you invest with me directly or continue managing certain accounts on your own, I’ll help make sure everything works in harmony.
Step Five:
Protection Planning (Insurance + Estate)
Next, we’ll identify the areas of your plan that need protecting—your income, your loved ones, your business, your health.
We’ll evaluate your current insurance coverage (life, disability, liability, etc.) and employer benefits, and we’ll make recommendations where needed.
We don’t sell insurance, but we’ll help you make smart, conflict-free decisions about what’s worth keeping, adjusting, or adding.
We will also guide you through the Estate Planning process (or provide a summary if you’ve already executed an Estate Plan) and tee you up with a trusted Estate Planning attorney to draft your documents (Will, Trust, Powers of Attorney, etc.)
The result is a fully integrated, values-aligned plan that supports the life you want to live—and the legacy you want to leave behind.
Seasonal Client Service Schedule
Year Two + Beyond
Winter Check-in
Track net worth & income
Update plan projections
Update progress towards goals
Review cash flow & savings rate
Prepare to file taxes
Spring Meeting
Review investment strategy
Update progress towards goals
Review insurance portfolio*
Review estate planning**
Equity compensation***
Summer
We will monitor your financial life plan so you can enjoy your life over the summer! We're here when you need us, and we'll let you know if there's anything you need to be doing or thinking about
Fall Meeting
Life Planning
Assess “Life Well-Lived”
Year-end tax planning/to-dos
Open enrollment options
Plan year-end giving/contributions
Wrap up outstanding tasks
*Even years | **Odd years | ***If applicable
This seasonal cadence allows you to stay proactive, refine strategy, and course-correct as life changes. We’ll revisit your goals, adjust your plan, and ensure everything stays aligned, while making improvements along the way.
And in between? You’ll have on-call access. Life doesn’t happen on a schedule, and we’re here to help when questions, decisions, or opportunities arise.
How much does it cost?
While Lighthouse Planning doesn’t have any account minimums, there is a minimum annual planning fee starting at $10,000.
After our Intro Call, I will give you a quote that may be adjusted based on complexity factors such as business planning, stock options, rental real estate, or alternative assets. Fees are paid quarterly in advance.
The minimum fee can be paid directly from managed investment accounts or via ACH autopay - whichever makes most sense for your unique situation.
Though we charge a % of assets under management (AUM) like most financial advisory firms, that’s where the similarities end. We take our role as fiduciaries very seriously, aligning our actions with your best interests.
That’s why we quote our minimum annual planning fee right here on our website. No smoke, no mirrors, just dedicated to your success.
Calculate Your Annual Cost*
*This is for illustrative purposes only, and based upon the current fee schedule for Lighthouse Planning, LLC. Fees are agreed to up front and finalized with each individual client of Lighthouse Planning. Fees may vary due to complexity and unique circumstances of each client.