If you are thinking about engaging in financial coaching but want to know a bit more about what is involved, here is how the process typically works.
If you have some questions or want a bit more info, drop me a note in the contact page and I’ll be happy to give you a call. You can ask a few questions and determine if financial coaching could help you.
We’ll set up the first consultation where I can meet you, learn more about your situation and your goals. The first session can last 1-1.5 hours since there are a lot of questions (successive sessions are typically 1 hour). At the end of this consultation I’ll recommend how many sessions it may take to achieve your goals and you’ll set up the date for your next session. If you live in the Cleveland, OH area half of the year and in the Texas Hill Country the other half, we can set up a face-to-face meeting, but most commonly, we’ll be meeting via video conference (like Zoom).
Before the first meeting you will have a little homework to do. This will involve completing a worksheet that provides a financial snapshot of where you are now (balances only; please no account numbers) and have you answer some questions about your financial mindset.
Prior to your first paid session, I’ll send you an invoice for you to pay by the time we meet together.
During each session I’ll be asking you questions, teaching you principles and techniques, holding you accountable, and recommending action items for you that will get you on a plan to achieve your goals. We’ll discuss typical time frames you can expect to achieve your goal if you stick to the plan. After each session I will also send you a summary and list of the recommendations we discussed in our session. You are the one who has to do the work and decide what sacrifices you will make in order to meet your goals. Some sacrifices may be small and some large, but the choice is up to you. I (or any coach) will not force you to do anything.
You may just have one urgent issue you want addressed and if so, perhaps one session is all you need. This is very rarely the case though. More than likely there will be a few meetings along the way to work alongside you as you implement recommendations and work through your plan.
This entire coaching process is a dialogue, not a lecture, so please ask plenty of questions.
I can only coach you through what you want to achieve, but will offer recommendations regarding your full financial picture.
At no point will I sell you specific financial products and I will not be taking your finances under my management or control. You are in the driver’s seat.
I want to help you see a future that you might not have thought was possible and help you in a focused approach to get the results you seek.
In short; I want to understand your situation, provide information/suggestions, and offer hope and encouragement.