Your First Year with SCML: A Step-by-Step Financial Planning Guide

At Schroeder Capital Management LLC (SCML), we are committed to helping you achieve financial clarity and independence through a structured, client-centric approach. As a fee-only fiduciary, we provide comprehensive financial planning, retirement planning, investment management, and tax planning tailored to your unique goals. This guide outlines your first year with SCML, detailing the onboarding process, plan development, and ongoing support to ensure your financial success.

 

Phase One: Building Your Financial Plan

Get Organized Meeting (Onboarding)

Once your service agreement is signed, we’ll begin with a video-based onboarding session to streamline and enhance your financial life. This meeting focuses on organizing your financial data and setting the foundation for your comprehensive plan.

In this meeting, we will:

  • Introduce you to our secure, user-friendly financial planning software and systems designed to protect your data.

  • Guide you in gathering essential documents, such as account statements, tax returns, and other relevant records, for our analysis.

  • Schedule your two Development Meetings and outline the process for creating your personalized financial plan.

 

Development Meeting #1: Discovery Session

This session is designed to deepen our understanding of your aspirations, setting aside numbers to focus on your personal and financial goals. By this point, you’ll feel confident and excited about your journey toward financial independence.

In this meeting, we will:

  • Explore your responses to our “Three Questions” to gain a comprehensive understanding of your priorities and objectives.

  • Review your current financial position, including your balance sheet and savings strategies.

  • Evaluate your 401(k) contributions and explore opportunities such as a Backdoor Roth IRA.

  • Address any urgent financial planning needs requiring immediate attention.

 

 Development Meeting #2: Strategy Presentation

In this session, we unveil your personalized Financial Plan—a dynamic, online document that serves as a roadmap to financial independence. This plan covers investment growth, retirement planning, tax strategies, and more, adapting to your evolving needs.

In this meeting, we will:

  • Provide a detailed projection of your current-year tax situation and recommend targeted tax-planning strategies.

  • Assess your investment comfort level, addressing any knowledge gaps to ensure confidence in your strategy.

  • Present a customized investment plan aligned with your goals and risk tolerance.

  • Review your existing portfolio and propose specific adjustments to optimize performance.

  • Outline a clear path to financial independence, demonstrating how your goals are achievable.

  • Provide a trading plan for equity compensation, if applicable, and review our core principles for managing it.

  • Conduct a rent vs. buy analysis to evaluate the financial viability of homeownership, if relevant.

  • Assign actionable tasks and recommendations to guide the implementation phase.

 

30-Day Follow-Up Meeting (Implementation Check-In)

A financial plan delivers value only when implemented. Approximately one month after the Strategy Presentation, we’ll meet to ensure you’re on track with our recommendations and address any remaining steps.

In this meeting, we will:

  • Review topics not fully covered earlier, such as estate planning or life insurance, as needed.

  • Assign any outstanding tasks to optimize your financial health.

  • Confirm that your investment portfolio adjustments are complete and aligned with your plan.


 Phase Two: Ongoing Support and Growth

After completing your initial financial plan, we transition to the growth phase, ensuring your strategy evolves with your life. SCML provides ongoing support through regular meetings and availability for life’s changes, keeping your plan aligned with your goals.

 Ongoing Engagements Include:

  • Top-of-the-Year Meeting: Focused on tax planning and preparation

  • Year-End Meeting: Centered on open enrollment, benefits optimization, and year-end tax-saving strategies.

  • Transition Meetings: Available whenever significant life events occur, such as job changes, relocations, or family additions. Simply reach out, and we’ll schedule a meeting to address your needs.

Frequency: We recommend meeting at least twice per year to review your plan, investments, and any new developments. However, our team is always available for ad-hoc consultations to provide guidance whenever you need it.

 

Your Journey with SCML

Your first year with SCML is designed to establish a strong financial foundation while fostering confidence in your path to financial independence. Through personalized planning, proactive implementation, and ongoing support, we empower you to achieve your goals with clarity and peace of mind. Contact us to begin your journey today.