“There are two things to aim for in life: first to get what you want and after that,
to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second.”
– Logan Persal Smith
FAQ
CFP® means CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM
practitioners are required to complete coursework in five different content areas
which include: retirement, insurance, estate, investment, and tax planning. Read More
The best way to find a Retirement Planner that you can trust is to seek a referral
from a friend or associate who is happy with and being well-served by the person
he or she uses. When selecting a financial advisor look specifically for someone
who is a Certified Financial PlannerTM Practitioner and has a fee-only
business model. Read More
Under limited circumstances you can withdraw money from certain accounts and avoid
the 10% early withdrawal penalty. It is important that you work with your Certified
Financial PlannerTM or tax accountant to confirm that you qualify for
one of the exceptions prior to taking a distribution. Read More
We manage your investments by carefully allocating them among many different asset
classes to provide you with investment diversification. Your portfolio is carefully
monitored and quarterly reports are sent to you to update you on the performance
of your portfolio.
Read More
What kind of investments do you use?
We primarily use no-load mutual funds, some individual stocks, bonds and Exchange
Trades Funds (a mutual fund that trades like a stock).
How often do you review my portfolio?
Your portfolio is reviewed at least three times per year to make sure it is line
with your designed allocation. We will also review your portfolio when you deposit
or withdraw cash, if we change the overall allocation, or if an investment in your
portfolio no longer meets our criteria.
The planner you select to work with is responsible for selecting appropriate investments
for your portfolio from a list approved by Sharkey, Howes & Javer's investment committee.
Read More
We manage your investments by carefully allocating them among many different asset
classes to provide you with investment diversification. Your portfolio is carefully
monitored and quarterly reports are sent to you to update you on the performance
of your portfolio.
Read More
How often do you buy and sell assets?
We generally sell investments when they no longer meet our investment criteria or
your needs. The proceeds are normally invested in a suitable replacement. Furthermore,
throughout the year and at year-end in taxable accounts, we will harvest tax losses
if available, as well as evaluate the impact of capital gains distributions on your
portfolio, possibly avoiding such distributions if necessary.
Do you require discretion over my investment accounts?
When you first meet with us we will provide you with a recommended portfolio for
your review and approval. When changes are required, we need to make these changes
as quickly as possible. Therefore, we require discretion to properly and efficiently
manage your account. Your custodian will send trade confirmations of any changes
we make to you.
When my account goes down, do I still pay you?
Yes, whether the markets are moving up or down, we are working diligently to manage
your money. You accounts may go down because we have set up a program for you to
withdraw funds systematically from your account or because of adverse market conditions
We want your accounts to grow, however we also want to protect your investments
in a down market; therefore, we make sure your investments are properly allocated
and diversified. We are here to advise you for the long run.
What is your "team" approach?
Every client has full access to all of the firm's resources. Although, a client
may select a "primary planner," all planners are involved in helping the client
achieve his/her financial goals. Clients may request to work with any of our planners
at any time.
When can I retire?
The age you can retire is contingent upon a number of factors such as life expectancy,
the level of income desired during your retirement, your current age, the amount
of money you have saved, future inflation rates, projected investment returns and
the amount of money you plan to contribute to your retirement fund/401(k)/etc.
What retirement plan is best for my business?
The type of business you are in and your goals and objectives will determine the
retirement plan most suitable for your business. Your company's employee census
will also factor into which retirement plan is most appropriate.
Yes! Sharkey, Howes and Javer, has a dedicated professional who works with individuals
and corporations to set up or improve existing 401(k) plans. Scott Brookes, our
Director of Retirement Plan Services, will work with you to set up or review your
401(k) plan. Call Scott, at 303.639.5100 to discuss any retirement plan design questions
you may have.
Read More
The amount of life insurance you need depends on the promises you have made or wish
to make to your loved ones. We can determine exactly what amount of life insurance
you will need to fulfill these promises. Read More
What other forms of insurance are most useful to me?
Other forms of insurance that may be useful to you include, but are not limited
to: disability, long-term care, health, liability, home and auto. Having adequate
coverage in each area is an important part of staying on track to meet your financial
goals.
What estate planning documents do I need?
The estate planning documents you need depend upon your specific circumstances.
However, most estate planning documents generally include a will, trust(s), medical
directives, durable powers of attorney, and HIPPA documents. It is advisable to
work with an estate planning attorney to draft the appropriate estate planning documents
you require.
How can I save on income taxes?
Taxes can be saved in a variety of ways ranging from simple measures such as, reviewing
allowable deductions, gifting appreciated stock, maximizing contributions to an
IRA or a qualified retirement plan, to more complicated strategies such as reviewing
your business structure or employing family members.
The best college savings vehicle in place today is a 529 College Savings Plan. The
State of Colorado has an excellent one. In addition, there are Coverdell Education
Savings Accounts, custodial accounts and other accounts that can be useful when
saving for college. Read More
How can I prepare for college funding?
Start saving for your children's college education as early as possible. You will
need to determine what type of college you would like your children to attend and
how much of the cost you are willing to support. Two to three years prior to your
child starting college, you need to learn about FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and college
funding from federal sources, state sources, and scholarship programs. Do not pay
for scholarship search engines. They are free. Visit our college planning page or call us at 303.639.5100 and for
a list of Internet resources that can be used in your research.
Who will I be working with?
The person scheduling your initial appointment will help match you with the planner
that best fits your needs. However, you have the option of choosing the planner
with whom you would like to work with. We feel it is best if you have excellent
rapport with your planner, as good communication is critical to great planning.
At SHJ we work as a team, and while no planner can know everything, our team approach
ensures that all of your planning needs are met. Our primary goal is to provide
you with the best client service possible.
What is a fiduciary?
We hold ourselves out as fiduciaries. As a fiduciary, everything we do must be in
the client's best interest. Fiduciaries are placed in a position of trust. You trust
us to do what is best for you, and that is truly what governs our firm. Every question
that arises in our firm is answered by first asking ourselves the question, "What
is best for the client?"
Sharkey, Howes and Javer, is a fee-only financial planning firm. Fee-only means
that we accept compensation only from our clients – not from any other source. In
other words, our clients are the only people we allow to pay us. Read More
In the first year we recommend three or four meetings. Thereafter, we allow you
to determine how often to meet. For some people, annual or semi-annual meetings
suffice and for others, quarterly. We can meet in person or by phone. The bottom
line is, if you feel the need to talk with us, let us know and we will meet with
you. If we need to talk to you, we will not hesitate to call or email you. We are
proactive. Read More
The fee for financial planning typically ranges from $250 to $2,500. The amount
of the fee is driven by your specific financial planning needs. The annual fee for
investment management of up to $1million is 1% of the assets we manage on your behalf.
It is billed quarterly, in arrears. Read More
As financial advisors, it is important to us that you accomplish your goals. Consequently,
the quarterly reports and planning updates we provide are designed to show you where
you stand on the road to meeting you goals. Read More
Most employer retirement plans have fairly limited investment options available
to employees. These limitations protect the employer from liability. From the employee's
standpoint, such narrow investment choices may limit your ability to reach your
retirement goal. By rolling your 401(k) to an IRA in your name you can further diversify
your portfolio in accordance with your goals or help sustain it through a rocky
market. Read
More
How do we get started?
Once you have contacted our office we will gladly send you our information packet.
This packet includes the biographies of our financial advisors, a fee schedule and
a confidential questionnaire. When you are ready to set you complimentary appointment,
please call 303.639.5100 or Contact
Us.
Is it okay to just drop by the office?
Yes! If you're bringing documents to us please visit us between the hours of 8:30
am and 5:00 pm. However, if you would like to speak with someone, we would prefer
that you schedule an appointment with the appropriate advisor in order to give you
the time you will need to discuss your situation.
Information presented is not designed to be tax, legal or investment advice and
is subject to change at any time. All investments contain risks, including the loss
of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Consult with Sharkey,
Howes & Javer to learn more about the strategies and information presented herein.