Financial advice to help you achieve your goals.
Ty Kopke, LtCol USMC (ret.)
While I was on active-duty I completed my MBA in Financial Planning and met the education requirements to advance towards the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (TM) designation. I applied my financial knowledge and education to attain “millionaire” status by the age of 48. As I transitioned from the Marine Corps, I was offered “financial advisor” positions with three of the largest broker dealers in the United States. However, I ultimately declined all the offers (despite lucrative pay) because none of them cared that I had an MBA in Financial Planning, or the knowledge and skills gained through that education. They wanted to teach me how to “sell” products to clients and were concerned only with the dollar value of my personal network of friends and family. I chose to take a different path.
I founded Silver Oak Leaf Financial Services to provide fee-only comprehensive financial planning and wealth management. We specialize in small business owners and military personnel. Both groups are the bedrock of the American economy. One is building and pursuing their idea of the American Dream while the other group has pledged their life to protecting and defending it.
As a retired Lieutenant Colonel and Registered Investment Advisor, I am privileged to be a member of both groups. It is our belief that every American should have access to financial education and financial planning. After all, the American Dream is only a dream unless you can afford it. Let’s achieve it together.
Our Services
Ongoing Financial Planning
At Silver Oak Leaf Financial, our Comprehensive Financial Plans begin with you. We assess and address your cash flow, debt management, tax planning, investment analysis, and insurance and risk management. We take the time to learn about your short and long-term financial goals, your retirement plans, your employer provided benefits, as well as consult with you about estate planning and college funding. Once your comprehensive plan is developed, we work with you, one-on-one, to implement, monitor and adjust your plan to meet your financial goals.
Investment Management
Silver Oak Leaf Financial is focused on building your long-term wealth through tailored portfolios specifically designed to meet your goals. Working within your goals, risk tolerance and circumstances, Silver Oak Leaf Financial will recommend and develop your personal investment policy or investment plan with a target asset allocation in mind. Using this investment policy and allocation target as a guide, we will create and manage your portfolio – giving you the best possible chance to succeed. A review of your prior investment history, family composition and background is also included in our initial meeting.
Project-Based Financial Planning
Silver Oak Leaf Financial provides ‘a la carte project-based financial planning services. Areas we cover include retirement planning, risk management, college savings, cash flow, debt management, employment benefits, and estate and incapacity planning.
Philosophy
At Silver Oak Leaf Financial Services, our belief is simple: we focus on you. We choose not to sell products or earn commissions and we don’t believe in minimum client asset requirements. Instead we seek to establish a long-term relationship centered around building and strengthening your financial health – helping you to make your American dream a reality.
— Ty Kopke, Owner & Registered Investment Advisor
FAQs
What should I expect from a financial planner?
Financial Planners will work with the client to identify goals, desires, and behaviors surrounding money and finance. They will take that information combined with the client’s current financial picture and develop a comprehensive plan that will integrate cash flow, insurance, investments, retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning and more to achieve the client’s goals. The best financial planners are fiduciaries and have a sincere interest in the financial success of their clients. A common adage in the financial planning field is that clients “don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
What is the difference between a financial planner and a financial advisor?
Financial Planners are formally educated in the areas of behavioral finance, cash flow, debt management, portfolio construction, retirement planning, risk management and insurance, education funding and planning, estate planning, and may specialize in other areas. They may have a masters degree in financial planning, or gain credentials such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Many also practice independently as Registered Investment Advisors (RIA) or Investment Advisor Representatives (IAR).
Financial Advisors is a general term and can be anyone with a securities license that sells “products” or securities. Many work for broker dealers as agents and typically are paid through commissions on the products they sell.
Is financial planning different for Military personnel?
The concepts of financial planning are universal but their application is different for military personnel. The military pay and benefits system creates unique opportunities to systematically create wealth and capitalize on predictable cash flows, promotions, pay raises and bonuses. The tax free nature of certain benefits, allowances, and types of incentive pay can be leveraged to improve overall financial health. Hiring a Financial Planner who has first-hand knowledge of these areas will help you to make smart financial and career decisions.
When should I talk to a financial planner?
The truth is that 100% of people would benefit from the expertise of a financial planner, but most people wait until they are in some type of financial trouble before seeking help. While a financial planner can help correct financial missteps they can also help avoid them thus saving their clients thousands of dollars. The old adage that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is very true in financial planning. Money doesn’t come with instructions and few Americans have a formal education in the areas of personal financial management. Most learn through trial and error which can be very expensive. When researching financial planners look for “fee-only” planners. They charge a fee and don’t sell products for commissions, which means they work for you.
What is the financial planning process?
Financial planning is a multi-step process. During the first step, you and your financial planner complete an in-depth review of your current financial situation and set goals. Next, your advisor creates a blueprint or financial plan. Finally, to achieve your goals, your financial planner implements and monitors your plan, suggesting changes as needed.