Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is financial planning?
Financial planning involves three basic steps – determining where you stand today, where you want to be in the future, and the best way to get there. With our firm, the process involves an initial in-depth review of your current financial situation and then the creation of a blueprint on how to achieve future goals and objectives. If you prefer advice on only key issues, as opposed to a complete financial plan, we gladly offer that service, as well as a retainer service for ongoing advice.

2. What is a financial planner or advisor?
Anyone can say that he or she is a financial planner or advisor. That's why it's essential to be sure of the qualifications and credentials of any "planner" or "advisor" before you pay anything or entrust them with your financial matters. Every advisor member of the Garrett Planning Network is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional -- or in the process of earning that designation -- and an independently registered investment advisor. That means that he or she has taken extensive training, adheres to a rigorous code of ethics, and is independently registered as an investment advisor with either the state or the federal government. All Garrett advisors adhere to the CFP® code of ethics and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors Fiduciary Oath.

3. Don't I have to have lots of money to get a good advisor?
No. Campbell Financial Partners, LLC has no income or investment account minimums for our clients. We can work with you on an hourly basis for as much or as little advice as you require.

4. How can a financial advisor help me?
Anyone looking for financial peace of mind can benefit from working with a good financial advisor either periodically or on a regular basis. We serve people at all income levels and from all walks of life - whether the need is one quick question answered or ongoing financial assessment, management, and direction. Because our fees are on an hourly or project basis, we offer an affordable opportunity for beginners, middle-income Americans, and do-it-yourselfers to get quality financial and investment advice.

Each individual's situation is unique. Someone just starting out may need a detailed, long-term plan of action while someone else already on the road to achieving their goals simply may need a new strategy, professional insight, or a second opinion of an existing plan. That's why we work to custom tailor our services to meet each individual's needs.
Goals can be short, intermediate, or long term. Reducing current income tax liabilities, for example, is a short-term goal, while funding a child's education an intermediate one, and enjoying a secure financial retirement a more long-term goal.

By focusing on cash flow, investments, taxes, pensions, retirement plans, estate planning, insurance issues, savings opportunities, and other general financial matters, we can design a customized financial plan for you.

5. What if I want or need to buy investment or insurance products? How do I do that?
While we don’t sell products, we do offer specific recommendations and opinions on various products and services that may be appropriate for your situation. We will then advise where to obtain those products or services. If appropriate, and at the client’s request, we can assist you with implementing our recommendations.

6. Do you provide just comprehensive financial planning?
No. Although a comprehensive financial plan yields the greatest benefits, we also can limit our services to individual, specific needs like cash management and budgeting, investment analysis, 401(k) recommendations, retirement planning, or college funding – whatever is critical to you right now.

7. Can you provide advice on how I should invest my 401(k)?
Yes, we are happy to provide advice to clients who have 401(k) or other tax deferred plans through their company.

8. I already have substantial assets and am doing quite well financially. Can you help me?
Yes. We offer many services for those people who need more sophisticated financial planning or advice. If a goal is to simplify your financial affairs, our retainer program might be right for you.

9. If I use you to develop a financial plan, am I obligated to purchase the recommended products?
Absolutely not! We offer recommendations to meet your needs and objectives, but you are under no obligation to purchase anything. We also recognize the importance of shopping around for the best available product or service. If you need life or disability insurance, for example, we will suggest the type of policy, various riders or additions, and the amounts that best fit your situation, then direct you to one or several different providers with quality products at competitive prices.

The extent of our involvement in helping with your purchase of a product or investment also is up to you. If you would like, we can help you purchase investments and/or set up your accounts with a third-party custodian like a discount broker. Since we are not compensated by commissions on products, you can be assured that our recommendations are based on what we truly believe is in your best interests. We take our fiduciary role seriously.

10. What is your firm’s investment philosophy?
As financial advisors and investment consultants, we believe in the following fundamental principles when it comes to designing an investment portfolio and making specific recommendations:

• The purpose of a client's investment portfolio is to fund current and/or future financial objectives.
• The design of the portfolio must take into account the client's financial objectives, tolerance for risk, needs for current income or liquidity, and special considerations such as income and estate taxes.
• The appropriate allocation of investment assets for your goals and risk tolerance is the most important component in developing an investment portfolio. Investments should be allocated among different asset classes to safely maximize returns and lessen risk.
• Investments selected within each asset class should be based on modern portfolio theory, utilizing passive management techniques which have the benefit of minimizing unnecessary transaction costs, overall portfolio fees, and taxation.
• We believe that a diversified, well-balanced portfolio, combined with long-term buy-and-hold strategies, affordability and patience, increases the likelihood that one will achieve his or her long-term financial objectives.

The important thing to remember is that no one can predict the future. Difference of opinion makes a market. Investment and economic "experts" provided with the same information often come to different conclusions. We do not suggest that we, or that any of the money or mutual fund managers that we may recommend, will make the correct decision every time. We do believe, however, that studying the historic trends and relationships of investment classes and the philosophies and approaches of successful investment managers can provide valuable insight.

13. How do we get started?
Call us at 239-454-5333 to schedule an appointment. There is no charge for our first meeting, which will generally take about 45 minutes. Once you have made an appointment, we ask that you complete our Confidential Questionnaire and bring it with you to the meeting. This questionnaire is available in the “Forms” section of our website. At our meeting, we will discuss your financial planning needs and will provide a firm estimate of the charges involved, the data needed, and a time period for completion of the work.