What to Expect

Our Planning Philosophy & The Glow System

Financial planning isn’t just about maximizing returns—it’s about creating freedom, confidence, and alignment with your values. Our approach is evidence-based, flexible, and built to evolve with your life.

We use the GLOW System so you always know where you are, what’s next, and how the pieces connect:

1. Get Organized
 We build the foundation together:

  • Collect your planning documents (tax returns, account statements, insurance, etc.)

  • Clarify what truly matters to you: your priorities, values, and life goals

  • Set up your financial planning hub—tools, trackers, systems

  • Build an initial draft financial plan to visualize potential scenarios

  • Prioritize the most impactful next steps

2. Learn
 We work to deepen your understanding of key financial concepts so you can engage with your plan confidently. Topics include:

  • Investing & portfolio fundamentals

  • Cash flow, budgeting, and debt management

  • Insurance & risk protection

  • Estate planning basics

  • College funding & education planning

  • Retirement income strategies

3. Optimize
 We move from theory to action, implementing your plan side by side:

  • Implement your financial plan step by step, ensuring everything aligns with your goals.

  • Develop systems to automate savings, investment contributions, & bill payments

  • Create policies & guardrails for future decisions 

  • Address lingering tasks or areas you’ve been avoiding 

4. Watch
 We stay actively engaged—your plan isn’t “set it and forget it”:

  • Quarterly check-ins to monitor progress, review goals, adjust if needed

  • An annual refresh to reevaluate assumptions, goals, and what’s changed

  • Seek opportunities to strengthen your path (tax, legal, portfolio tweaks)

  • Adjust the plan when life events or rules/laws change.

What to Expect in the Initial Planning Process

Financial planning works best when it’s structured, collaborative, and paced to fit your life. At Glow Financial Planning, we guide you through a proven series of meetings designed to build clarity, confidence, and lasting progress.

  • Phase 1: Discovery & Concierge Meetings

    We begin by getting to know you—your background, goals, and concerns. You’ll share what’s most important to you, and we’ll review your financial accounts and documents together.

    During this phase, we also set up your personalized financial planning hub, where everything comes together in one organized place

    Schedule your Get Started Meeting

  • Phase 2: Cash Flow, Goals & Collaboration Meetings

    Once your foundation is in place, we turn our attention to understanding your current financial picture. Together, we’ll:

    Review your income, spending, and savings habits

    Define and prioritize your financial goals

    Walk through your initial financial plan and discuss trade-offs

    Identify and sequence your most important next steps

    This phase builds clarity and helps align your plan with what matters most to you.

  • Phase 3: Implementation Meetings

    Here, we move from planning to action. We’ll help you execute the financial planning recommendations that will make the biggest impact—such as opening accounts, setting up automated savings, reallocating investments, or updating insurance coverage.

    Our goal is to make this stage simple, supported, and stress-free.

  • Phase 4: Investing Meeting

    We’ll take a deep dive into your investment strategy, helping you understand risk, diversification, and portfolio design. You’ll gain confidence in how your money is invested and how it supports your long-term goals.

  • Phase 5: Insurance & Risk Meeting

    In this final stage, we’ll review your protection strategies—life, disability, and property insurance—as well as basic estate planning considerations. The goal is to make sure your financial foundation is secure and resilient.

Every plan follows this general framework, but the structure and pace may vary based on your needs, goals, and level of complexity. You’ll always know what’s coming next—and you’ll never feel rushed or left guessing.