You are not your own best guide! 5 things to look for in a financial planner.
My wife and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary by taking a trip to Costa Rica. Over the two weeks we were there, we visited many fascinating places and went on 8 different guided tours. We were not new to hiking, riding 4x4s, or sightseeing, but the guides were able to raise our experience to the next level.
Our guides always knew which path to take. They knew the best places to stop and sight-see, and they were able to customize each experience according to our wishes. Could we have done the tours without the guides? Yes, but the guides opened the world to what we would have missed. From microscopic things to sloths in trees, the guides were able to point out things we didn’t even know to look for.
Sound Stewardship works in much the same way with your finances. We guide people to be wise with wealth instead of outdoor adventures. A guide is “a person who advises or shows the way to others.” You can do it yourself, but what does God have in store for you that you might be missing? The truth is you are not always your own best guide.
It can be difficult to know how to choose a financial advisor. The world of finances can be like visiting a foreign country, overwhelming and confusing! We know how to speak the language of finance just like the guides in Costa Rica knew how to speak the language (Spanish) and therefore were better at communicating on our behalf. Did it cost more money to hire a guide? Yes, but the experiences and memories made were priceless.
Why should you choose Sound Stewardship to be your guide instead of DIYing it? Our advisors know the lingo, the nerdy details, and can translate strategies in a way that you will understand. What tax break or investment might you miss out on by not hiring a guide to help you through the process of financial stewardship?
Our flat-fee approach gives you a team of people who are rich in knowledge of finances and stewardship of wealth. We get down in the trenches with you and wade through the messiness and confusion to help you understand and steward your money in a way that honors God. Our time-tested Principles, combined with decades of experience from our team, provides our clients the best opportunity to enjoy Confidence and Contentment.
Just like a good outdoor guide, an excellent financial guide should have these 5 traits:
#1 Devoted: We are committed & called to serve our clients. We chose this field because it is what God has called us to do and we do it with joy! We walk alongside you and utilize a holistic approach for your finances. We don’t just give out “one size fits all” advice and collect a fee. We look at everything you have and guide you through college funding to retirement planning and everywhere in between.
#2 Principled: We are rooted with integrity in timeless truths. As Christian financial advisors, we have an obligation to be good stewards of the resources that God has provided. We do not make risky gambles, but instead we choose to use our time-tested Principles to provide our clients with the knowledge, skills and results of an experienced team.
#3 Understanding: We are dedicated to insightful listening and genuine empathy. Our clients are like family to us, and we know that finances can bring many emotions to the surface. We hurt with them, and we laugh with them. Through the market’s (and life’s) ups and downs, we guide our clients to make decisions that inspire faith over fear.
#4 Exceptional: We are passionate about unsurpassing skill in our work. Like our guides in Costa Rica, we go above and beyond for our clients. We don’t just point toward a fork in the road and say “choose one”; we give options and scenarios to help you make the best decision. One of the guides on our trip went above and beyond to show me how to capture this mother sloth with her baby, by showing me how to use my iPhone through the lens of a telescope. If we were on a self-guided tour, we would have missed them altogether!
#5 Generous: We are ready and eager to abundantly help others. Not only do we love to be able to give back to others through charitable giving and volunteering, but we also love helping our clients with their journey of generosity. It’s such a blessing to see our clients bless their communities.
If you need guidance with your finances, contact us to see how our 5 core values allow us to go above and beyond to help you be wise with the wealth that God has entrusted to you.
