COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES
Families & Individuals
“…As a long-term client, we would enthusiastically recommend Ballast to any family looking to have a tailored long-term partnership…”
This testimonial is from a client of Ballast, Inc. Clients are not compensated for sharing their opinions and experiences with our firm. Any compensation creates a conflict of interest and any client’s comments may not be representative of any other person’s experience with the firm.
Whether you have already accumulated assets or are a high-income earner planning for retirement, we can be your team. Our relationship and advice go beyond simple wealth management. We provide a holistic approach to financial planning and advise on all aspects of life that influence your financial life.
Financial Leadership
- Financial Continuity for Surviving Spouse
- Financial Continuity for Children
- Establish, Implement, and Monitor a Financial Plan
- Identifying Areas of Vulnerability from Financial Biases
- Proactive Financial Guidance
Personal Finances
- Job Change Analysis
- Salary/Bonus Change Planning
- Transitioning from Two Incomes to One
- Allocate Bonuses Between Savings and Spending
- Business/Entrepreneurial Start Up Advice
Investment Management
- Asset Allocation Analysis & Risk Assessment
- Invest Around Concentrated Stock Positions
- Portfolio Rebalance
- Monitor Lifetime Allocation Adjustments
- Assess New Strategies/Products/Laws
Accountability Partner
- Set and Monitor Goals
- Align Spending Habits with Values & Personal Goals
- Balance Savings with Current Budget
- Establish Savings for Aspirational Purchases
- Provide Long-Term Discipline
Behavioral Finance
- Brainstorm & Develop Financial/Life Goals
- Financial Coaching for Transition to Retirement
- Identify Biases Towards Money & Personal Finances
- Support Overcoming Financial Biases
- Provide Peace of Mind for Financial Freedom
Cash Flow Planning
- Allocate to Savings vs. Debt vs. Spending
- Create and Revise a Budget
- Establish Strategies for Variable Income
- Pre-Determine Allocation of Bonuses
- Establish a Guilt Free Spending Structure
Retirement Savings
- Establish Savings Structure to Meet Retirement Goals
- Savings with an Anticipation of a Windfall/Inheritance
- Navigate Tax-Structured Accounts (Roth, Pre-Tax, & Taxable)
- Consideration of Mega Backdoor Roth Strategy
- Potential Inheritance Considerations
Retirement Income Planning
- Establish Retirement Timing Dates
- Portfolio Withdrawal Strategies
- Tax Optimization Strategies
- Coordinate Income with Tax-Sensitive Items
- Inheritance Assumption/Planning Techniques
Retirement Income Considerations
- Guidance on Rental Real Estate Income
- Pension Claiming and Timing Strategies
- Annuity Income Strategies
- Coordinate Part-Time Employment with Retirement Income
- Professional Consulting Post Career
Tax Planning - Income
- Plan for Current Year Tax Changes
- Tax Withholding/Payment Guidance
- Review Annual Tax Return
- Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax Planning
- Tax Planning Across Multiple Income Streams
Tax Planning - Lifetime Optimization
- Roth Conversion Analysis
- Tax Bracket Management
- Annual Standard/Itemized Deduction Analysis
- Identify Individual Risk to Tax Rate Changes in Retirement
- Lifetime Tax Projections
Tax Planning - Investments
- Net Investment Income Tax Planning
- Tax Loss Harvesting Analysis
- 0% Gains Harvesting
- Stock Option Planning
- Restricted Stock Unit Planning
Family Finances
- Guidance for Aging Parents
- Adult Children Support
- Marriage/Divorce Planning
- Adoption Planning
- Vehicle Purchase vs. Lease
Legacy Planning
- Review Bequest Planning
- Inheritance Structures for Next Generation
- Review Potential Trust Options
- Lifetime vs. Legacy Gifts Consideration
- Trust Protection for Younger Generations
Estate Planning
- Federal Estate Tax Planning/Analysis
- Intra-Family Loan Planning
- Funding of Trusts/Re-Titling of Assets
- Surviving Spouse Planning
- State Estate Tax Planning/Analysis
Cash Savings Planning
- Establish Cash Balance for Short-Term Goals
- Optimize Returns on Cash Holdings
- Provide FDIC Insurance Guidance
- Career/Income Change Plan
- Establish, Monitor, Analyze Emergency Fund Needs
Charitable Planning
- Selection of Appreciated Stock Gifts
- Gift Bunching Strategies
- Lifetime Charitable Planning Guidance
- Donor Advised Funds vs. Endowment Guidance
- Legacy and Lifetime Gifting
Monte Carlo Testing
- Retirement Lifestyle Goal Planning
- Retirement Cash Flow Analysis
- Multiple Scenario Planning & Testing
- Retirement Savings Analysis
- RMD Planning/Execution
Aging Retiree Guidance
- Resource for Aging Retirees
- Oversight of Financials for Aging People
- Resource for Adult Children Caring for Parents
- Oversight to Help Avoid Financial Fraud
- Housing Transition Assistance
Access to Professional Network
- CPA/Tax Preparer
- Estate/Business Attorney
- Banker/Lender
- Realtor
- Insurance Agent
Social Security
- Income Timing
- Spousal Benefits Planning
- Guidance on Long-Term Risks Associated with Claiming Decisions
- Legal Changes to Benefits
- Special Use Income Targeting Strategy
Debt Management
- Establish a Debt Payoff Plan
- Allocate Overpayment of Debt Priorities
- Student Loan Debt Guidance
- Debt Payoff vs. Cash Investment with Extra Cash
- Pay Off Margin Interest Balance
Mortgage Analysis
- Early Mortgage Payoff Analysis
- Home Buy vs. Rent
- Second Home Planning
- HELOC vs. Second Mortgage Analysis
- Refinance Analysis
Employee Benefits Planning
- Open Enrollment Planning
- Group Insurance vs. Individually Owned Insurance
- Retirement Plan Analysis
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan Analysis
- Analyze Fringe Benefits
Health Insurance
- HDHP with HSA vs Low-Deductible Health Insurance
- Medicare Analysis
- Invest HSA Funds
- Evaluate Employer Health Insurance & Medicare
- Align Years of High Medical Costs with a Low-Deductible Plan
Estate Planning - Documents
- Create/Review Will
- Create/Review Power of Attorney
- Create/Review Healthcare Proxy
- Create/Review the Advance Directive
- Guidance on Pre/Post-Nuptial Agreements
Education Planning
- College Savings Analysis
- College Saving & Funding Strategies
- Grandparent Financial Assistance Guidance
- FAFSA Form Support
- Cash Flow Savings During College Years
Insurance Planning
- Life Insurance Coverage Needs Assessment
- Analyze Existing Permanent Insurance
- Long-Term Care Insurance Analysis
- Disability Insurance
- Umbrella Insurance Analysis
Liability Insurance
- Homeowners Insurance
- Auto Insurance
- Umbrella Insurance Analysis
- Board Member Insurance
- Professional Insurance
Resources
The Importance of Asset Allocation and Diversification
August 2, 2023
Not only has recent market volatility resulted in renewed anxiety for many investors, it has also been a stern reminder of the value of having
Educating Your Next Generation
July 12, 2022
Key Takeaways: Our most successful planning relationships are those in which we work with our client’s other professional advisors – and their children and heirs
How Much Cash Should I Hold?
March 7, 2022
Key Takeaways Rising inflation increases the opportunity cost of holding cash We believe the benefits of cash outweigh any loss in purchasing power Market drawdowns
To learn more about ways we can help, visit our Resources page or schedule a call.
