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Case Clients: James & Brenda
Age: 36 and 34
Occupation: VP of Strategy and Nurse
Primary Goal: Achieve a better work-life balance and start a family

The Challenge:
After two years as a consultant at BCG, James wanted to travel less and focus on his marriage. He moved into a role in corporate strategy and hasn’t looked back.

Brenda had put James’ career first as she moved from one hospital to another during his four years in the Army, again for his MBA, and yet again post-MBA.

They wanted to start a family and knew life would get hectic once kids arrived. James had always taken care of their finances and used to actively manage their accounts before striking out going long an EV stock. James and Brenda want an expert to help them make the right decisions financially so they don’t have to worry about getting it wrong.

The Process:
James and Brenda wanted to hire someone who had experience working with people in their situation and someone they could trust. They wanted someone who would add value to their lives, free up their time, and act in their best interest.

They weren’t sure where to start and Brenda told James to figure it out. James scheduled a meeting with Veteran Wealth Planning and felt heard when discussing their situation and goals.

The Result:
James and Brenda found a partner who didn’t just focus on their investments, rather their overall well-being.

They now have a financial plan that is regularly updated and a consultant of their own on call. Some topics that were addressed in their first year working together included:

• Cash flow planning that ensures adequate liquidity
• Flexible education savings plans
• Clarity on life and umbrella insurance needs and policies in place
• Automated retirement savings so they don’t forget to invest their excess cash

James no longer gets doubtful looks from Brenda when asked if they will be able to retire when they are 50 because they both understand their financial plan and are aligned on goals.

They gained financial clarity and a trusted partner.

Case Clients: Eliza & James
Age: Both 34
Occupation: Project Manager and Product Manager
Primary Goal: Buy a home in the Bay Area

The Challenge:
After graduating from GSB, Eliza and James headed back to the West Coast to work at tech startups. Equity comp and an IPO exit seemed like the only way they would be able to afford a home in the neighborhood they wanted, so they each dove headlong into their careers.

Eliza had worked for Microsoft before getting her MBA and now works at Meta. She plans to launch a tech company in a few years. James drank from the firehose as a Communications Officer in the Marine Corps before deciding to capitalize on his specialty experience and youth, pursuing an MBA and finding a role at a tech startup. His NROTC scholarship meant he didn’t benefit from the GI-Bill.

Paying for a wedding and student debt from 2x GSB tuitions had been their primary focus out of school. After this they turned to maximizing the impact of their generous compensation packages. An “I should be able to do this because I’m an MBA” mentality led to frustration in the face of uncertainty. Eliza and James knew life would be harder if they didn’t get their finances right, and they didn’t want to mess it up.

The Process:
James and Eliza left their first meeting confident they had found someone who understood their needs and could help them find clarity. James had always been a DIYer when it came to his finances but combining assets after marriage had induced stressors neither wanted to be responsible for managing.

They knew equity comp had its challenges and wanted to avoid costly tax mistakes. James also wanted to take advantage of Roth conversion strategies but knew there were pitfalls there too.

The Result:
Confidence in their current actions and the impact of those actions on their future selves.

Not only did Eliza and James have a financial plan in place that they understood, they had someone they trusted to help guide them towards their dream home. James had been skeptical of the value add of a financial advisor, but he loves having more free time and a renewed sense of confidence. Some topics that were addressed in the first year working together included:

• Strategic diversification plan for exiting a concentrated stock position
• Liquidity needs and cash flow requirements before Eliza could launch her startup
• Roth strategies and retirement account flexibility along with transparent investment advice

For the first time since moving out West, James and Eliza enjoyed a long weekend where finances were never discussed or even thought of.

Case Clients: Bob & Kristen
Age: 38 & 36
Occupation: Co-Founder and Kindergarten Teacher
Primary Goal: Reduce their tax bill & reduce Kristen’s stress

The Challenge:
Bob served 6 years in the Navy before earning an MBA and co-founding a firm with a classmate. The business has taken off and they now employ 5 people. Kristen teaches at a local private school and hopes to spend a few years as a stay-at-home-mom once they have children.

Kristen is concerned about unsustainable lifestyle creep and has no desire to be involved in the business. Bob wants to spend his time growing the business and with Kristen. They hired a financial advisor from a national brand and a CPA when he started the business, but the “advisor” calls him every quarter trying to sell insurance, explaining TVM, and justifying portfolio decisions given the market conditions. Bob wishes the “advisor” and CPA would talk to each other, stop trying to sell him things he doesn’t need, and figure out a way for him to pay less in taxes.

Frustrated and overworked, Bob reached out to Veteran Wealth Planning and scheduled a quick call on a Friday afternoon.

The Process:
Even before becoming clients, Bob received tax guidance that opened his eyes to a better way of paying himself that resulted in a smaller tax bill and learned that Kristen would not receive a fair payout from his business if something happened to him.

After becoming clients, Kristen appreciated that she was never ignored in conversations and that her input was as important as Bob’s. Bob loved that he had a team behind him who’s interests were aligned with his own.

The Result:

• Bob and his business partner purchased a first-to-die life insurance policy to ensure Kristen would receive a fair payout Bob’s equity
• The business started a defined contribution plan that improved employee retention while allowing its owners to max out their annual pre-tax contributions
• With access to their financial plan and budgeting on an integrated app, Kristen doesn’t stress as much about lifestyle creep because there is a plan in place and she can see they are on track for an early retirement
• Cash flows have been smoothed out and less cash is accumulating in the business bank account due to an automated investment program

Kristen feels confident and Bob loves that they pay less in taxes