Most of us spend time dealing with finances not because we want to, but because we have to. If we could, we'd rather spend our time in areas that matter most to us, like with family or in pursuing our life passions. But that's just the way it is, right? What if it isn't?
Putting your finances in a box is doing just that. It's organizing your finances in such a way that allows you to take that time and energy and start devoting it to the areas of your life that matter most to you.
The peace of mind associated with being worry-free and working with someone you can trust when it comes to money is priceless and shouldn't be underestimated.
As financial coaches we work with people who have this goal in mind. We work with people who want greater financial clarity, and understand there is no quick fix to the solution.
So, where do we start you ask?
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First we start by simplfying the way we view money. Really, you can only do three things with money. You can:
Spend it: Every dollar needs an assignment. If you have $50 left at the end of the month and no reason not to spend it, and you continue this practice into retirement, you will forfeit over $40,000 of potential cash in your bank account!
Save it: Saving money is putting your cash into a vehicle that you believe is safe, but often lacks a decent rate of return. Consider this thought: It is very probable that a good spending system, combined with a solid savings habit is all most people will ever need to better prepare them for retirement.
Invest it: Investing means you are willing to put your money into a potential position. The money
may have substantial gains (e.g. 1998 & 1999) or it make take an opposite approach (e.g. 2000-2002). next
How does viewing money in this light change things? Well, too often we fall into the trap of only worrying about one of the three options and completely losing sight of the other two. Let's look at an example.
Ralph and Gertie decided to counsel with a Financial Planner to get some financial advice. They left the appointment with a plan to invest $100 per month because they wouldn't have enough money to retire. Their money would be invested into conservative stocks and would hopefully average around 7%.
Ralph and Gertie are paying on a credit card with a balance around $10,000 and a 16% rate. Now they are putting an additional $100 per month into the stock market hoping for a 7% rate of return. Does it make sense to invest money at a potential 7% when being charged 16% for outstanding debt?
No, of course it doesn't. We have a new set of lenses. Sadly, this type of a situation happens all across America.
Here is what we are doing about it. next
Financial success is a lot more than just money. It's about having a clear vision in all aspects of life. You don't need a huge rate of return to be wealthy. What you need is a solid foundation that gives you the tools for peace of mind, clarity, direction and fun.
We offer a financial coaching system that is not a quick fix, but rather a methodical approach to putting you in control of your money.
We recommend you view some of our videos to the right. We can be reached via email at info@pyrblu.com or via the phone during business hours — locally at (253) 851-0350 or toll-free at (888) 851-0550.
" Don't wait! It's never too early to start planning for success. The rewards that can be reaped from the successful implementation of the system are limitless."
- Howard and Sharon from Gig Harbor, WA
Questions?
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A Financial Planner invests your money into equities, like stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. A Financial Coach focuses on everything else. This includes things like debt elimination, cash flow, and money unnecessarly being given away to financial institutions. A coach guides you through the quagmire of financial decisions like mortgages, credit cards, automobile financing, 401(k) participation, 401(k) exit strategies (how are you going to get the money out?), and life insurance (term vs. whole life vs. universal).
A Financial Coach eqips his clients with the tools, knowledge, and experience to have financial peace of mind for the present and clarity towards the future.
There are only 3 things you can do with money
A Financial Coach will focus on #1 and #2. There is an order to this concept, before you invest money (risk), get control of your spending.
When spending is under control, you focus on saving. It is interesting how many people think they have the spending part down and need no help until they see their spending habits on paper and realize how much money they are giving away because they don't have a good reason not to waste their money. We find an average $200 -$500 per month with clients, and in some cases we have found over $1500 per month in wasted dollars that we redirect for future lifestyle.
Think of your favorite athlete: Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, Tiger Woods. What does each of them have in common? They each have a coach. A coach brings accountability, neutrality and a firm direction to your goals and visions.
This concept is not for everyone. If you are not committed to getting your financial future in order, the Balanced Living System is not for you. BLS holds you accountable for what YOU want. BLS gives you the tools to accomplish what you want.
Since money is allegedly the #1 cause of marital discord (divorce, separation), we've learned that it is important both husband and wife get on the same page. We look at your future from two points of view: 1) What if you live? And 2) What if you die?
What if you live? This is retirement preparation, planning for the future. Working as a team requires both parties to be present and unified. We teach you the difference between conflict and contention and how to overcome the first and avoid the latter.
What if you die? A major segment of Americans filing for bankruptcy is widows. They are unaware of their financial picture before the death of their spouse, and it doesn't matter if they are left with little money or millions of dollars. If a widow does not spend sufficient time to understand the workings of her estate, she will often receive poor advice from family and friends who mean well, but don't understand her situation any better than she does.
A Financial Coach focuses energy on spending and savings, two aspects that carry little to no risk. A Coach will help you gain control over your finances and prepare your household for the future. You are in charge and your Coach gives you the clarity of direction and the peace of mind that most Americans have never been taught.
A Financial Planner places most of your money into a potential position, it could go up, but it could go down. There is very little discussion about your debt, your spending habits, your communication tools or your life during retirement.
Active income means you are doing something to earn the money, working for example.
A large majority of working Americans today will need some type of active income during their retirement years. Social Security and 401(k) programs will not be sufficient. Consider the many seasoned citizens you see working at McDonalds and Walmart each day. Rather than coming up with employment after the matter, we get you working on your future today.
Passive income occurs whether you work or not. What plans are you making to increase your passive income today? The income may be passive, but it requires a lot of action on your part long before the check is in the mail.
It's taken you years (depending on your age) to arrive where you are today. As a general rule, you've never been taught any of these tools in school or at home. We've designed a 1-year plan for you to get control of your spending, saving, communication tools and direction.
It is broken down by quarters. Each quarter has a punch list of things to do, to learn, to study, and to practice. Since each couple comes with a unique set of circumstances, you may be working on tools and items from the 3rd quarter during your first month. It's your plan. Your Coach will work with you to determine how to proceed.
$1,995 for one year.
Most financial professional will quote you return averages. For example, have you ever heard a Financial Planner or Stock Broker explain that you should keep your money in the market because it always averages out over time?
Let's do an example to explain this concept: Let's pretend you have invested $100,000 with Stock Broker Sam. At the end of the 1st year, S.B. Sam proudly calls you with the results. Your account has grown by an amazing 10%.
Year 2 isn't as productive, the market was crazy and Sam's isn't as excited about his phone call. He informs you that the account lost 10%. Bummer, you say. Yeah, Sam agrees, well at least we broke even over the past two years; we averaged a 0% return. Given how bad everyone else did, breaking even isn't that bad, you think.
Did you really break even? Sam quoted you an average rate of return, but did he accurately portray your portfolio's performance? Let's do the math:
If you actually averaged 0% with your money, why is your new balance less than your starting point?
Yes and No!
We have a handful of clients who are paying over $40,000 for a mentoring program with other professionals. The mentor flies in every now and then and helps them purchase property etc. After the mentor leaves, our clients comes in to learn how to do what they have been taught.
Self help books and mentoring programs are great, but Coaching gives you the financial foundation on which to operate.
Coaching teaches you how mortgages work, how life insurance works and what's the best kind for you, how the 401(k) works, how to get money out of it without paying the full amount of taxes, how to protect your IRA rollover from a risky stock market, how to save money on car purchases and how to get rid of your credit card debt, just to name a few.
Here is an easy way to view the difference in approach. You have $100,000 in an investment portfolio. After meeting with a Financial Planner you are tempted to move your funds to her professional management care. She charges a fee of 1% to manage your account and you only pay her transaction costs when she buys or sells. Your current portfolio has been mediocre with a 6% rate of return over the past few years.
The new Financial Planner shows you how she has averaged about 7% over the same period of time, or a full 1% higher. Wow! She's got to be good.
Before you make the decision however, you meet with a Financial Coach. After looking at your cash flow situation, she informs you that you could save $250 per month using her system. You're not impressed, especially when she indicates you could put the money in a safe position at 5% (cd, money market, indexed product). You express your position and she shows you the following numbers:
The Financial Planner earning 1% more than you are currently earning over the next 20 years will earn you $35,408.17 additional interest.
The Financial Coach saving you $250/month over the next 20 years will accumulate $60,000 if you put it into your mattress. At 5% it will be worth $102,758.42.
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