Just as a physician wouldn’t prescribe treatment without first conducting a thorough examination, I believe a successful financial planning process includes a comprehensive understanding of your unique situation before making any recommendations.
After more than two decades of working with medical professionals, automotive executives, and business owners, I’ve developed a proven process that puts planning first—always.
Why Most Financial “Planning” Falls Short
Too often, I’ve seen people jump straight into investment decisions or insurance purchases without first understanding how these pieces fit into their broader financial picture. It’s like trying to navigate from Detroit to Malta without a map. You might eventually reach your destination, but you’ll likely take unnecessary detours and face avoidable obstacles along the way.
At The Valletta Group, we believe proper planning is more than just managing money; it creates a road map that aligns your financial decisions with your life goals.
The Malta Perspective
My mother grew up on the island of Malta, in a small town called Birkirkara, before charting a new life in Michigan. Her story reminds me that every great journey requires courage and a well-thought-out plan. She couldn’t simply decide on a Tuesday to sail across the Atlantic and hope for the best—she needed documents, checkpoints, and a clear course.
That mindset powers our work at The Valletta Group. Whether you’re an attending surgeon juggling student-loan payoff or an automotive engineer deciding when to exercise stock options, the route matters as much as the destination. Our four-step process is designed to chart that course methodically, transparently, and in language you can act on.
Our Four-Step Process: Building Your Financial Foundation
Step One: The Discovery Meeting
This is where we start our journey together. In our comfortable office setting, it’s just you, me, and a notepad—no products, no pressure, just understanding.
During this meeting, we focus on three key objectives:
- Learning about you: What are your goals? What keeps you up at night? What are your financial priorities and concerns?
- Sharing our approach: I’ll explain how The Valletta Group works and my background.
- Determining fit: We’ll decide together if financial planning makes sense for your situation and if I can genuinely help.
If we both agree to move forward, we’ll discuss our planning fee and I’ll send you home with a homework assignment—a list of financial documents to gather for our next meeting.
Step Two: The Financial Lab Work
Think of this meeting as running your “financial labs.” Just as a doctor needs test results before making a diagnosis, I need to see the complete picture of your financial health.
During this session, we:
- Review all the documents you’ve brought (statements, policies, tax returns, estate documents)
- Verify the information we discussed in our first meeting
- Dig deeper into your goals and priorities
- Clarify cash flow patterns and spending habits
- Identify any missing information we’ll need
This meeting can be a bit dry—we’re reviewing statements and confirming numbers—but it’s essential groundwork. Every household handles money differently, especially when there are two spouses involved. I’ve seen it all over the years, and understanding your unique system is crucial.
Between meetings two and three, my team and I go to work creating your comprehensive financial plan.
Step Three: Your Financial Plan Presentation
This is where everything comes together. Our longest meeting is divided into three parts:
Part 1: Updates and Changes (30 minutes)
- We review any changes since our last meeting
- Address any new concerns or opportunities
Part 2: The Financial Plan (45 minutes)
- Using eMoney planning software, we present the scientific analysis
- Show projections for retirement, education funding, major purchases
- Demonstrate how different scenarios affect your outcomes
Part 3: The Strategy Session (60-90 minutes)
- Transform numbers into actionable strategies
- Prioritize recommendations based on your goals
- Create specific action steps with timelines
- Assign responsibilities for implementation
By the end of this meeting, you’ll have a clear road map with specific next steps. Only when you’re completely comfortable do we move forward with implementation.
Step Four: Implementation & Ongoing Monitoring
After presenting your plan, we begin the implementation phase:
- Open necessary accounts
- Execute investment strategies
- Coordinate with your CPA and attorney
- Set up insurance policies as needed
Thirty to sixty days after implementation, we conduct a wrap-up meeting to ensure everything is on track. Then we transition into our monitoring and maintenance phase, meeting every six months to:
- Track progress toward goals
- Adjust for life changes (new jobs, practice transitions, inheritances)
- Rebalance investments
- Optimize tax strategies
- Update estate plans as laws and family dynamics evolve
Explore more: Financial Planning | Medical Professionals
Common Questions I Hear
Over the years, I’ve noticed similar concerns across different professions. Here are some of the most frequent questions I’m asked:
Q: “I’m a young physician with significant student loan debt. Should I focus on paying off loans or investing for retirement?”
A: This is a common dilemma I see. The answer depends on several factors: your loan interest rates, available employer matching, and your risk tolerance. Generally, I recommend securing any employer 401(k) match first (that’s free money), then creating a strategy that balances loan repayment with wealth building. The key is having a plan rather than choosing one or the other randomly.
Q: “As an automotive executive, I have stock options but don’t understand when to exercise them. How do I make this decision?”
A: Stock-option timing involves multiple considerations: your overall portfolio concentration, tax implications, and personal financial needs. Rather than trying to time the market perfectly, we typically develop an exercise strategy that aligns with your broader financial goals and helps manage risk through diversification.
Q: “I have multiple financial goals competing for my attention: retirement, college for my kids, a new home. How do I prioritize?”
A: This is where our planning process really shines. We typically categorize goals by time frame:
- Short-term (1-3 years): Emergency fund, immediate insurance needs
- Medium-term (3-10 years): Major purchases, education funding
- Long-term (10+ years): Retirement, estate planning
The exact prioritization depends on your unique situation, but having this framework helps bring clarity to competing demands.
The Valletta Group Difference
What sets us apart is our commitment to understanding before advising. I won’t recommend a life insurance policy until I understand your complete financial picture. I won’t suggest an investment strategy until I know your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance.
This approach has served our clients well, particularly those in high-stakes professions where financial missteps can be costly. Whether you’re a surgeon protecting assets in a high-liability field or an automotive engineer planning for industry changes, our comprehensive process helps your financial decisions support your life goals.
Your Next Steps
If you’re ready to stop making financial decisions in isolation and start following a comprehensive road map, I’d love to discuss your situation. The Valletta Group discovery meeting is complimentary and involves no obligation; it’s simply an opportunity to see if we’re a good fit for your journey.
Remember, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today.
Ready to create your financial road map? Contact us at (248) 720-1780 or email mswiecki@vallettagroup.com to schedule your discovery meeting.