A one-time two hour financial planning session. It can serve as a financial tune-up, second opinion, or a way to obtain advice on a limited set of issues.
Regular fee: $800

We can address such questions as:

• Are my investments structured according to my goals, risk profile, time horizon and tax situation? How are my investments doing? How can I reduce my investment costs?
• Am I saving enough to retire? What are the best retirement savings vehicles for me?
• How can I save for my child's education? Should we open a Coverdell education account? A Roth IRA? Use the Illinois or other college savings plan? Should funds for college be in our child's name?
• Should my 401(k) plan be left at my previous employer, or should I roll it over to an IRA? How is this done and what are my options? How can I avoid taxes and penalties?

This Folk Financial Review includes:

• For financial review, you send in the completed personal profile questionnaire, including the three financial issues you want to address in the review.
• For tax review, you send in last three years' tax returns and income year-to-date (including most recent paystub(s).
• For investment review, you send in most recent brokerage, bank, pension, and social security statements.


• Prior to your meeting, Karen Folk researches and evaluates:
1. Review and analysis of prior years' taxes
2. Review and analysis of investments

Homework: We will send you a complimentary copy of Bert Whitehead's book, "Facing Financial Dysfunction: Why Smart People Do Stupid Things With Money" when you deliver your materials and a check for one-half the fee.

Please identify what your Money Personality is (chapter 3) and your stage in the Cambridge Financial Life Cycle (chapter 7) before you come to the appointment. This enables you to get full benefit from the financial review appointment.

1. Review of prior returns for missed deductions
2. Tax planning for current year
3. Recommendation of possible tax strategies to consider
4. Review of current asset allocation and investment location for tax efficiency
5. Evaluation of performance of current investments
6. Review of Financial Life Cycle position
7. Retirement/Financial Independence Analysis - are you on track?
8. Recommendation of holistic financial strategy
9. Analysis of current costs being incurred for financial advice
10. other related topics

When making your appointment, please let us know the three most critical areas you will want to cover. You will leave the appointment with a written list of recommendations and specific options. You are then free to implement them yourself or through another financial advisor. There is no further obligation on your part or Folk Financial Planning's part.

An additional hour will be left open at the end of the two-hour appointment to discuss retainer options suitable for your situation if you are interested. The full amount paid for the financial review will be applied against the initial retainer if you decide to become a regular client within ten days.

If you are considering becoming a retainer client, this financial review is an excellent starting point. Further appointments will be scheduled at the end of the financial review.

No tax preparation or specific investment advice is included in the financial review. It is important to note that the financial review is not a full financial plan. It is a brief overview of your financial progress and a review of limited aspects of your financial situation.

To set up the appointment, call Karen Folk at 217 367-9730. Appointments are generally scheduled within 4-6 weeks. If you have an urgent issue or have questions about this program, Karen will set up a telephone appointment for you to discuss your needs.

Payment: One-half of the fee should be paid at the time the appointment is scheduled; the remainder is paid when you arrive for your appointment. There are no refunds.

Should you have any questions regarding our financial review policies, please contact Karen F. Folk, Ph.D., CFP®, Owner of Folk Financial Planning.