Better Financial Services

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Serving Washington State (206) 234-7516
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Financial Planning Is About More Than Money

The BFS Approach Reflects That Reality
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How We Work: The Step-by-Step Process

At Better Financial Services, our approach to financial planning is grounded in a deep understanding of your goals, your values, and your dreams. We employ a holistic approach that considers every aspect of your financial life. By integrating comprehensive financial strategies with advanced planning techniques, we make it easy for you to navigate the complexities of wealth management, retirement planning, tax optimization, and estate planning – with confidence.

1

Initial
Consultation

We begin with what’s most important to you—from goals that can include retirement or education, to a major purchase like a second home.

2

client
assessment

Your present strategy is evaluated, examining tangible benefits and drawbacks, and assessing alignment with overarching objectives.

3

plan
development

Based on both present circumstances and hypothetical scenarios, one or more recommendations are chosen to optimize your objectives.

4

plan
presentation

We present carefully curated recommendations to reach your goals, along with our rationale for those recommendations. 

5

plan
implementation

We put the agreed-upon recommendations into action, informing you about expected timelines every step of the way. 

6

follow-up meetings

We analyze portfolio performance at regular intervals, and then share the outcomes of that analysis with you during follow-up meetings.

We Are a Fee-Only Fiduciary

Transparent Interactions
Trustworthy Guidance
Unbiased Advice
The Advanced Retirement Planning process starts by creating a comprehensive financial plan to accumulate, invest, and manage your financial portfolio while mitigating risk and minimizing taxes. But it doesn’t stop there. Advanced Retirement Planning also delivers benefits far beyond what a financial plan can promise.
By eliminating unnecessary fees and avoiding commission-based earnings, BFS provides transparent, trustworthy advice focused solely on your financial well-being.
BFS collaborates with Charles Schwab as its custodian to hold client funds. Renowned for its comprehensive range of services, innovative tools, and robust client support, Charles Schwab enhances the value we provide. This collaboration allows us to offer a broader spectrum of investment options to our clients.

You Money and Your Life. Perfectly in Sync.

Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how Better Financial Services can help you reach your goals. Call 206-234-7516 or fill out the form to get started.

Initial Consultation

1. Client Information Form: To optimize your time with Saket Sengar, you will complete a client information form prior to your scheduled initial consultation.

 2. Analyzing Information: During the initial meeting, Saket will meticulously analyze both qualitative and quantitative data to comprehensively assess your personal and financial circumstances. This detailed examination gives Saket deeper insights into your goals and aspirations, facilitating more tailored and effective financial planning.

3. Identifying Potential Goals: During the consultation, Saket completes a comprehensive evaluation of your financial and personal situation. Together, you will pinpoint your objectives, taking into account the interplay between different goals. Saket will then help you set realistic targets, considering various factors such as life expectancy, inflation rates, tax implications, and expected investment returns. Additionally, Saket will assist in prioritizing these goals, ensuring alignment with your aspirations and financial feasibility. Saket can also  provide candid feedback on goals that may not be attainable, fostering clarity and informed decision-making.

Client Assessment

1. Analyzing Current Situation: Saket Sengar evaluates your present strategy, thoroughly examining its tangible benefits and drawbacks, and assessing its alignment with your overarching objectives. This entails scrutinizing whether the current approach is the best one to achieve your goals.

2. Analyzing Potential What-If Scenarios: In addition to assessing the current situation, Saket delves into the creation and analysis of one or more hypothetical scenarios, exploring their potential benefits and drawbacks. Each scenario is meticulously evaluated to ensure alignment with your objectives and whether that scenario optimizes the likelihood of achieving them. Furthermore, Saket considers how each hypothetical scenario aligns and integrates with your individual and financial values, preferences, and dreams.

Plan Development

Based on both present circumstances and hypothetical scenarios, Saket Sengar carefully chooses one or more recommendations aimed at optimizing the achievement of your objectives. This recommendation might entail maintaining your existing strategy.

For every chosen recommendation, Saket thoroughly evaluates the following information:

  • The assumptions and estimates used to develop the recommendation;
  • The basis for making the recommendation, including how the recommendation is designed to maximize the potential to meet your goals, the anticipated material effects of the recommendation on your financial and personal circumstances, and how the recommendation integrates relevant elements of your personal and financial circumstances;
  • The timing and priority of the recommendation;
  • Whether the recommendation is independent or must be implemented with another recommendation.

Plan Presentation

Saket Sengar meets with you to present the carefully curated recommendations, along with the pertinent information that has been instrumental in the development of those recommendations.

Each recommendations is carefully selected to address the specific criteria and considerations outlined for their formulation.

Plan Implementation

1. Portfolio Advisory Agreement: Before initiating the implementation of my planning recommendations with the client, I request the client’s engagement for implementation tasks through a separate portfolio advisory agreement. Upon engagement as client’s advisor, I prioritize transparent communication by clearly outlining the recommendations being executed, as well as delineating my responsibilities to the client and any pertinent third parties involved in the implementation process.

2. Identifying, Analyzing, and Selecting Actions, Products, and Services: Once clients engage me as their advisor to manage their portfolio under the advisory agreement, I meticulously identify and analyze actions, products, and services customized to implement the recommendations. This selection process is based on two key factors:

  • How well the action, product, or service aligns with implementing the recommendation; and

  • The comparative advantages and disadvantages of the chosen action, product, or service in relation to other reasonably available alternatives.


3. Recommending Actions, Products, and Services for Implementation: In fulfilling my implementation duties, I typically advise the client on various actions, products, and services tailored to their needs. I engage in thorough discussions with the client regarding the rationale behind each recommendation, as well as the optimal timing and priority for implementation. Additionally, I am committed to transparently disclosing and responsibly managing any material conflicts of interest related to these recommendations.

4. Selecting and Implementing Actions, Products, or Services: I consistently assist the client in both selecting and executing the actions, products, or services deemed suitable for their needs. Moreover, I engage in discussions with the client whenever they opt for selections differing from my recommended choices.

Follow-Up Meetings

1. Monitoring and Updating Responsibilities: As your advisor, Saket Sengar is tasked with the important responsibility of monitoring and updating your portfolio. Within this role, he also takes on the responsibility of communicating pertinent information to you, including:

  • Determining the scope of his monitoring responsibility, including which actions, products, and services fall within or outside its purview.
  • Outlining the methods and frequency with which Saket will conduct monitoring activities for the aforementioned actions, products, and services.
  • Clarifying your obligation to promptly notify Saket of any significant changes in your qualitative and quantitative information that may impact the financial planning process.
  • Ensuring Saket’s commitment to promptly update the financial planning recommendations in response to any relevant changes in your circumstances or financial landscape.
  • Describing the process and timeline for updating the financial planning recommendations to ensure they remain accurate and aligned with your evolving needs and goals.

 

2. Monitoring Your Progress: Saket is tasked with the responsibility of regularly monitoring the portfolio to assess its progress towards achieving your goals. At regular intervals, he carefully analyzes the portfolio’s performance and discuss the outcomes of his analysis with you.

3. Obtaining Current Qualitative and Quantitative Information: As your advisor with monitoring responsibilities, Saket consistently collaborates with you to gather up-to-date qualitative and quantitative information regarding your personal and financial circumstances.

4. Updating Goals, Recommendations, or Implementation Decisions: As your advisor entrusted with updating responsibilities, Saket ensures that if circumstances necessitate changes to your goals, recommendations, or chosen actions, products, or services, he promptly makes updates in line with his fiduciary responsibilities.

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