Composing Your Finances
Orchestrating Your Future
What Is Music?
In its purest form, music is math. The notes we hear – sound itself – are air vibrations created at a specific frequency. Melodies are formed by changing those notes in time with the rhythm. Symphonies represent some of the most complex expressions of music. Scores of coordinated musicians create beautiful music as they breathe life into the unique vision of a composer.
Just like a symphony, a financial plan is the result of a team of talented professionals and a person with a unique vision.
At Crampton Planning Partners, that person is you.
What Is Your Vision?
Picture your ideal future. What are you doing? Are you exploring new places, trading your career for volunteer work, or finally pursuing a long-held passion? Maybe all three? Whatever your vision, a financial plan can help you get there. Just as a conductor directs the symphony, the financial plan is a comprehensive document that identifies and directs strategies to meet your goals and guide you to a harmonious financial future.
The financial plan is meant to turn your vision into reality. That vision is turned into actionable goals that we use to measure your overall financial progress. Common goals we address include:
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Cash management
Making money and learning how to effectively use it are two very different things. We help our clients establish a spending plan and handle their cash responsibly by setting short- and long-term goals for purchases, savings, and paying off debts. Establishing good money habits is the first step in every successful financial journey.
Retirement
You work hard, and want to know that your savings will allow you to enjoy your retirement years. We can advise how, what, and where to save to help ensure your financial flexibility in retirement. When the day arrives when you can leave work behind, we will be there to support you with ongoing money management and planning strategies to ensure you won’t outlive your assets.
Education funding
With the rising cost of college, many parents and grandparents understand the need to plan and save for their loved ones’ higher education. We can review college savings options with you and make a plan for paying those bills when the time comes.
Estate planning
Planning for your death or incapacity will help your loved ones clearly understand your wishes and solidify your legacy. We work with you and your attorney to make sure your estate matters are handled the way you want them to be.
Managing life’s transitions
Life is constantly changing. We provide advice and resources for individuals going through a transition, such as a job change, marriage, divorce, or death of a spouse. Gain a better understanding of your financial position as you move through life’s various stages.
Financial independence
We help our clients gain confidence regarding their financial matters. We can’t promise you’ll never think about money again, but we help you to not worry when you do.
What Is Your Vision?
Picture your ideal future. What are you doing? Are you exploring new places, trading your career for volunteer work, or finally pursuing a long-held passion? Maybe all three? Whatever your vision, a financial plan can help you get there. Just as a conductor directs the symphony, the financial plan is a comprehensive document that identifies and directs strategies to meet your goals and guide you to a harmonious financial future.
The financial plan is meant to turn your vision into reality. That vision is turned into actionable goals that we use to measure your overall financial progress. Common goals we address include:
Cash management
Making money and learning how to effectively use it are two very different things. We help our clients establish a spending plan and handle their cash responsibly by setting short- and long-term goals for purchases, savings, and paying off debts. Establishing good money habits is the first step in every successful financial journey.
Retirement
You work hard, and want to know that your savings will allow you to enjoy your retirement years. We can advise how, what, and where to save to help ensure your financial flexibility in retirement. When the day arrives when you can leave work behind, we will be there to support you with ongoing money management and planning strategies to ensure you won’t outlive your assets.
Education funding
With the rising cost of college, many parents and grandparents understand the need to plan and save for their loved ones’ higher education. We can review college savings options with you and make a plan for paying those bills when the time comes.
Estate planning
Planning for your death or incapacity will help your loved ones clearly understand your wishes and solidify your legacy. We work with you and your attorney to make sure your estate matters are handled the way you want them to be.
Managing life’s transitions
Life is constantly changing. We provide advice and resources for individuals going through a transition, such as a job change, marriage, divorce, or death of a spouse. Gain a better understanding of your financial position as you move through life’s various stages.
Financial independence
We help our clients gain confidence regarding their financial matters. We can’t promise you’ll never think about money again, but we help you to not worry when you do.
Feel Empowered When Planning for Your Future
When your day gets busy with your career, children, and other responsibilities, it is easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes time to plan for your financial future. It can be hard to find answers to questions like:
How do I pay for my child’s tuition?
What should I be doing now to save for retirement?
When do I start Social Security?
How do I choose the investments in my 401(k)?
With Crampton Planning Partners, you will get answers to all of your financial questions, but that’s just the beginning of our relationship with you.
We firmly believe that financial planning is the key to feeling empowered and in control of your financial circumstances. Working with us provides a sense of comfort in addressing current concerns and in planning for your future.
Ready to feel empowered about your finances?
Schedule an introductory meeting today
Our Financial Planning Process
Our clients receive a written comprehensive financial plan as part of our initial engagement. Each engagement is tailored to the client, but our process typically includes the following steps.
Introductory Meeting
You get to know us, and we get to know you. No pressure, no sales, just a conversation about your wants, needs, and goals for the future.
Proposal
We provide you with a proposal that outlines the components of your plan and the associated fee.
Data, Data, Data
Once you’ve agreed to work with us, we ask that you provide additional information about yourselves and your financial situation. This data will be analyzed and used in the preparation of your plan.
Working Papers
We present and discuss the initial draft of your plan. This is a working meeting, intended as an opportunity for you to ask questions and to help ensure we’ve covered everything.
Financial Plan
We meet to present you with our final analysis and recommendations. Many clients choose to continue working with us on an ongoing basis to manage investments and receive continual support to address the goals identified in the plan.
Ongoing Relationship
After our initial engagement is completed, we offer ongoing financial planning, including investment management services.
Benefits of Crampton Planning Partners Investment Management
Independence – We’re independent business owners, meaning we aren’t beholden to corporate agendas or shareholder expectations. Our focus is developing the best solution for you.
Diversification and asset allocation – We don’t try to time the market, we focus on managing your assets in the pursuit of your goals.
Third-party management – We select actively managed funds that give you access to world-class investment specialists.
Low fund expenses – Low cost funds mean more of your money is working for you.
As your goals evolve and life happens, your plan and investment structure will likely change as well. When you engage in an ongoing planning relationship with us, we will see you at least annually for a formal review meeting, but we’re always available to talk or get together. Regular and open communication helps ensure that your plan, goals, and investments are in concert with one another. Our standard fees include a financial planning fee and an investment advisory fee based on the value of the investment accounts we manage.
Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not assure profit or protect against loss.
Our Financial Planning Team
Judith J. Crampton, MS, CFP®
Lead Planner and Financial Guide
Perfect night out: Going to the opera with my “opera ladies”
Last thing on my to-do list: Cleaning out my closets
Favorite travel experience: Each grandchild’s tenth birthday trip with my husband and me
Meade A. C. Whitaker, CFP®
Lead Planner and Financial Guide
Ideal Saturday: Breakfast with the kids, followed by a family outing, and then dinner and a show with friends
Secret wish: To be a speed reader
Guilty pleasure song: Whatever I can sing to in the car
Trisha L. Brown, CPA, CFP®, MBA
Back-office Brainiac
Place I’d move to in a heartbeat: Spain, where I studied in college
Go-to foods: Cheese, bread, and chocolate
Most anticipated family tradition: Annual “Top Chef” cooking competition
Mary Beth Anderson
Team Support Superstar
Best time of the day: Connecting with my family around the dinner table
“Me time” activity: Monday night yoga class
Dream I’m looking forward to: Getting a dog when we become “empty nesters”
Trisha L. Brown and Mary Beth Anderson are acting in an administrative capacity and not authorized to offer securities or investment advice.
Let us be the harmony to your melody. If you seek a partnership with a financial planner who genuinely gets you, contact us.
We’d love to chat.
Crampton Planning Partners
1701 East Lake Avenue, Suite 360
Glenview, IL 60025-2057
847-803-5440