REGION – Nine years ago, Glenn Brown was at a crossroads.
“My wife and I were both growing our careers and seeking returns from grad schools, but I’d travel a lot for work,” Brown told the Community Advocate. “For years as just the two of us, it was very good financially and we leveraged the travel perks to go places and have fun.
“After our first daughter, we continued pushing our careers, but it was wearing on us. Upon learning of a second’s impending arrival, we had to, as David Bowie would say, ‘turn and face the strange changes’.’’
The couple had conversations about priorities. What were they trying to accomplish? Are these careers and sacrifices going to achieve desired goals? What was being missed along the way, and would it be worth it?
“We realized there needed to be an exit strategy, as our path wasn’t sustainable. So we put together a plan that helped build financial resources to allow for choice.”
After 24 years in wealth management — primarily in various divisions of Charles Schwab and Bank of America —Brown decided to open his own registered investment advisory firm in 2017 to help clients build, evolve, and sustain their financial independence.
Six years later, PlanDynamic continues to help clients “focus on their why.”
“Are you creating flexibility down the road to do different things? That’s what financial independence is. It’s the flexibility of choice,” Brown said. “I help people think about what they really need, what they’re trying to accomplish, and why they’re working or continuing to work. How do the planned sacrifices now lead to the benefits you want later?”
PlanDynamic helps clients develop short- and long-term financial plans.
Certified Financial Planners™ (CFP®) like Brown provide people with advice and action steps for investments, tax efficiency, retirement planning, debt management, college planning, work benefits, entitlements, planning for the unexpected, and estate planning.
Brown specializes in helping “sandwichers,” the roughly 15 million people in the U.S. managing young children and aging parents.
“You’re trying to deal with raising your children, but also caring for those who cared for you at one time… You’re caught in the middle and the windows of opportunity to make an impact can close quickly,” said Brown, a self-described “sandwicher.”
Between planning for college, parents’ continued independence, pursuing careers, personal retirement goals, elder care and estate planning, “sandwichers” can be faced with unique financial challenges while strapped for time.
Speaking of time, the company provides ease of access to financial planning services. Brown can handle everything virtually, so clients don’t have to rush to Brown’s office after work for financial advice. Clients use an online calendar to schedule meetings, Zoom to interact, and eMoney — the personal financial planning portal — to securely share documents, link accounts in real time, and share analysis, recommendations and progress.
As a fee-only fiduciary, PlanDynamic doesn’t charge commissions or sell products; the advice is in the best interest of the client.
“People can work with someone without having to turn their investments over for management. You’re paying a flat fee to have a Certified Financial Planner relationship for all aspects of your finances, not just investments,” Brown said. “And if you’re not comfortable with being a self-directed investor, then transparent, low-cost index funds and/or equities portfolios are available to help ensure you know what you own and why you own it.”
The company has ongoing (pay-as-you-go) plans — which come with no longterm commitment — and project-based plans, meant for those with specific questions and a “defined scope” of inquiry.
To learn more or schedule a complimentary consultation, visit www.plandynamic.com. Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Community Advocate advertisers.
