Case Study #2
John and Robin
John and Robin are in their 50's, contemplating retirement, and wanting a large focus to be on the 2nd and 3rd generation.
The Challenge
Profile / Values
John (55), VP at a local construction firm, and Robin (51), a hospital RN, tithe roughly 10 % of income and serve their community through school-board work and church volunteering
Family / Education
Three grown children—Elizabeth 26, Christy 23, Jackson 20—each graduated or in college debt-free thanks to parents determined to break the cycle of generational poverty.
Aspirations / Lifestyle
Dream of a multigenerational vacation home roomy enough for future spouses and grandkids to gather for long weekends and summer stays.
Guidance Needed
Busy careers leave little time; they want an advisor who will integrate charitable giving, legacy and retirement goals, and help improve their children’s financial literacy into one clear, comprehensive plant.
Our Approach
Clarify Priorities
Deep-dive meetings to map faith-driven giving, vacation-home timeline, retirement-income needs, and family-education goals.
Integrated Modeling
Tax-aware cash-flow projections linking salary, bonuses, and Robin’s pension to funding college, charitable giving, and a future home purchase.
Legacy & Giving Strategy
Design donor-advised-fund and charitable-bunching tactics to sustain their 10 % tithe while reducing taxes and boosting community impact.
Family Financial Education
Establish annual “money talks” with the three kids—covering budgeting, investing, and inheritance expectations—to extend good habits.
The Plan
Milestone Timeline
Target dates: vacation-home purchase in 8 years, college cash-flow completion in 4, and phased retirement starting at age 60/56.
Funding Strategy
Direct bonus income and surplus cash flow into a dedicated vacation-home fund while maintaining 15 % retirement-plan contributions.
Charitable Roadmap
Launch donor-advised fund now; review annual giving budget each December to bunch deductions and involve children in grant decisions.
Review Cadence
Hold quarterly family-inclusive check-ins to track milestones, refresh projections, and adjust for market shifts or life changes.
The Results
Financial Clarity
Identified a realistic vacation-home price range and savings pace without compromising retirement security or giving commitments.
Tax Efficiency
Captured six-figure lifetime tax savings through optimized charitable strategies and workplace-benefit maximization.
Legacy Readiness
Updated wills, beneficiary designations, and a living trust that protect assets and reflect faith and family values.
Family Alignment
Adult children gained practical financial knowledge and understand their roles in future estate and charitable plans.
Want a plan that aligns your family, faith, and finances? Contact us for a no-cost strategy session.
Case study is hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. Clark Wealth Partners provides fiduciary financial planning; results will vary.