Strebel Planning Group - Dedicated Advocates of Your Dreams

Frequently Asked Questions

Financial Planning

1. What is the difference between a Certified Financial Planner, and all the other advisors that are in the phone book?

Choosing an advisor is one of the most important decisions you can make for yourself and your loved ones. A Certified Financial planner can provide you and your family with guidance over your lifetime, or work with you to address specific concerns as needed. Regardless of what your needs are, our planners can play a central role in helping you meet your life goals and achieving financial security.

As Certified Financial Planners we have taken the extra step to demonstrate our professionalism by voluntarily submitting to the rigorous CFP® certification process. In addition to significant education and experience requirements, we are also required to pass a comprehensive exam that tests our personal financial planning knowledge and skills.

Distinguishing financial planning from other kinds of financial advice should not be confusing. As Certified Financial Planners we are committed to following certain standards - called Financial Planning Practice Standards. These standards are based on a six-step financial planning process, documented through CFP Board research.

The Financial Planning Process

Establishing and defining the client-planner relationship

Gathering client data including goals

Analyzing and evaluating the client's financial status

Developing and presenting financial planning recommendations and/or alternatives

Implementing the financial planning recommendations

Monitoring the financial planning recommendations

As more people call themselves "financial planners," finding the right professional to address your financial planning needs isn't always easy. We understand this and want each of our clients to be familiar with our business style and experience the superior level of services we provide. We want to be able to demonstrate our commitment to ethical behavior and adherence to high professional standards. Most importantly, we want you to know that you and your needs are at the center of every financial planning decision.

2. Why is Asset Allocation and Diversification important?

Diversification Manages Risk. By spreading your investment across multiply asset classes you can reduce your exposure to volatility in any single sector of the financial markets. Asset Allocation Determines Performance. Research has shown that the applied asset allocation policy – how you diversity and allocate your investments among various securities – determines more than 90% of a portfolio’s overall performance. Asset Allocation, Risk Management, and Long-Term Perspectives are crucial to any successful investment plan.

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