The best way to plan for your future is to understand all your options. At Cook Pierce, we follow a process designed to help you become financially aware, giving you the knowledge and tools you need to achieve your goals with confidence.

In your first meeting with us, we answer four essential questions about your retirement income:

1. What rate of return must you earn to maintain your current lifestyle throughout your life expectancy?

2. How much do you need to save each year to ensure you have enough money for the future?

3. How long will you need to keep working before you can comfortably retire?

4. What adjustments, if any, will you need to make to your future lifestyle to ensure your money lasts?

These questions lay the foundation for your financial strategy. The answers help us identify priorities, set realistic expectations, and create a personalized plan for your future.

Financial awareness: the key to making smart choices

We live in an age of overwhelming information. Everything you know or believe about money comes from sources you’ve encountered—whether through articles, conversations, or advice you’ve received. But not all information is relevant or reliable. Becoming financially aware means learning to filter through this noise, so you can make decisions that genuinely support your goals.

At Cook Pierce, we help you gain clarity on how your current financial decisions impact your future. We show you where you might unknowingly be holding yourself back and how you can align your choices with your long-term objectives.

Building a comprehensive financial strategy

Achieving financial success requires a well-rounded approach. We guide you in understanding the full range of financial instruments and help you determine which ones to include—or exclude—from your plan. It’s easy to dismiss certain products or services based on common misconceptions, but financial strategies aren’t one-size-fits-all. A truly effective plan considers all available options, including those offered by banks, insurance providers, investment firms, and even emerging markets like cryptocurrencies.

A key part of this process is understanding the three basic tax treatments:

1. Taxed Now – Income taxed as it’s earned (e.g., salary or dividends).

2. Taxed Later – Income deferred until retirement or withdrawal (e.g., 401(k) or traditional IRA).

3. Taxed Never – Income or gains that are never taxed (e.g., Roth IRA or certain insurance products).

With so many financial instruments and tax strategies available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We walk you through these options to ensure you understand which ones fit your personal goals and why.

Empower your future with financial awareness

Financial awareness is not just about knowing what options exist—it’s about knowing how to use them effectively. Our goal is to help you make well-informed decisions that put you on the right path to financial success. Whether it’s preparing for retirement, managing your current finances, or planning your legacy, we equip you with the knowledge and insight to navigate complex financial decisions with confidence.

At Cook Pierce, we believe that awareness leads to empowerment, and empowered individuals make better financial decisions. Let us guide you on your journey toward achieving your goals and building a secure future.