Know My Plan

Helping clients maintain, build, & transfer their wealth to their loved ones or charities. Financial planning doesn't have to be overly complicated. You don't have to do it alone. I enjoy working with clients who want to build a financial plan together thru a deep understanding of your goals both while working, in retirement, and beyond.

All investment advice is offered through Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, a registered investment adviser.

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

SunTrust Investment Services, Inc.

VP, Financial Advisor

Financial Advisor

Licensed Financial Sales Consultant 2

I’m a Financial Planner that helps Sales Executives reduce financial anxiety with a 1-Page Plan.

Phone:  704-243-9376 | Email:  nic@knowmyplan.com | Website:  www.knowmyplan.com

I design financial plans for busy executives and their families.

Feel confident about your money with a complete overview of your financial situation

Reduce overwhelm by understanding exactly where you’re at in your journey

Reduce financial anxiety with a high-level plan for the future

You also want to reduce stress, save time, pursue your goals!

As a high earner, you deserve a customized plan to meet you and your family.  No more rules of thumb.  Your goals determine your financial plan, and your financial plan will determine your goals.

The financial plan is your life adventure map.  The plan will need to be monitored and adjusted over time.  That is why we love financial planning.  The process requires relationships built over years!

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.  For links to FINRA/SIPC, refer to the Contact Information section above. Advisory Services offered through Independent Advisor Alliance a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial. 


Know My Plan is an other business name of Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC.  All investment advice is offered through Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, a registered investment adviser.  Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.

The financial professionals associated with this site may discuss and/or transact business only with residents of the states in which they are properly registered or licensed. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident of any other state.

Third party posts found on this profile do not reflect the views of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.

Nic Nielsen, CFP®

I had a great conversation this week with a 50-year-old prospect who asked a simple but important question:

👉 “If I retire at 62, how much income can I expect each month?”

The answer isn’t a guess — it’s a process.
Here’s how we walked through it together:

1️⃣ Start with what you have saved today.
His total investments formed the foundation of the conversation.

2️⃣ Look at ongoing contributions.
How much is being added each year — and are we maximizing employer matches?

3️⃣ Apply a reasonable rate of return.
Nothing extreme. Just disciplined, long-term assumptions based on history and risk tolerance.

4️⃣ Determine a sustainable distribution rate.
What percentage can we safely withdraw each year without jeopardizing long-term security?

5️⃣ Convert that to a monthly income number.
Because people don’t live life in annual increments — they live it month to month.

6️⃣ Convert future dollars back into today’s dollars.
Inflation is real. A $12K/mo lifestyle in the future may only feel like $8K/mo today.

7️⃣ Discuss asset allocation as retirement approaches.
The mix of growth and safety becomes increasingly important as the retirement date nears.

8️⃣ Highlight the role of fixed income.
Stability, predictability, and downside protection matter — especially when you’re drawing from your portfolio.

These conversations are my favorite because they take a big, overwhelming question and break it into something clear, logical, and actionable.

If you're wondering what your retirement income picture looks like — whether you're 45, 50, or 60 — I’m always happy to run the numbers.

Because clarity creates confidence.

Nic Nielsen, CFP®, CLTC®

I design financial plans for 45 to 55 year-old high-achieving professionals in the Charlotte area and virtually nationwide.

“We’re ready to get serious, feels like we’re just wasting time.”

For what it’s worth, this is EXTREMELY common:

• Two working parents, careers taking off
• Income has ballooned over the years
• Before you know it, you’re just spending and have no real idea where it’s all going

• Decent retirement savings
• Subpar brokerage account balance
• Way too much in HYSA 

• A nice home
• Family vacations, private schools
• Stress that there’s no plan, on the hamster wheel

NEED: A financial plan with real goals and a structure to fund it


(If you could use the help of a financial advisor or would like to explore making a change from your current advisor, now’s the time, please shoot me a message—I’m happy to talk)

Nic

One of my favorite parts of being a parent right now?

My kids (7, 9, & 12) are finally getting gifts that I secretly love… and that take me straight back to my own childhood. 

It’s a sweet reminder that I’m living in the “good ole days” — right now.

My parents are healthy and sharp, my kids are happy and still think hanging out with us is cool, and we get to share little moments like this together.

Sometimes joy looks like a LEGO Game Boy and a house full of laughter. 

--Nic

The busy attorney's financial advisor | Putting your money where it matters most, so you can reduce your taxes today and tomorrow. Stop tipping Uncle Sam!

Hundreds of law firm owners have worked with me to cut their taxes, protect what they’ve built, and create financial freedom on their terms.

They call me The Wealth Guardian — because my superpower is helping attorneys keep more of what they earn and build a financial foundation that lasts.

Here’s what I see every day:

You’ve built a successful firm.
Clients are happy. Revenue’s strong.

But your tax bill? That’s another story.

Most attorneys don’t overpay because they’re careless.
They overpay because they’re too busy serving others to plan ahead for themselves.

That’s where I come in.

I help law firm owners simplify the complex — so they can stop tipping Uncle Sam and start building lasting wealth.

Our MPG System is built around three goals:
✅ Minimize taxes with proactive, law-firm-specific strategy
✅ Protect income and assets from hidden risks
✅ Grow wealth with clarity and confidence

We start with a simple belief: serve the person, not sell the product.
No cookie-cutter plans. No pressure. Just smart strategy that fits your life and your firm.

A little about me:
I’m a Chicago guy at heart, a lifelong baseball fan (had a little trouble with the curve), and now a Florida resident who still bleeds Blackhawks red. I’m also a proud dad to a physician assistant daughter and an active member of AHEPA, raising scholarship funds for local high school seniors.

Next step:
If you’re ready to see how smart tax and financial planning can create real freedom — let’s talk.
📩 Book a 20-minute Ask-Frank-Anything session — no pressure, just real insight.
📞 954-253-5508
📧 frank@palmwealthpartners.com

P.S. You’re gonna love the way you feel when you stop tipping Uncle Sam.

Frank Rekas, CPFA

There's three ways to buy long-term care protection:

Which one is the right one for you?

Most law firm owners I meet don’t avoid planning for long-term care.

It's just that no one ever had the conversation with them, 
and they just may not understand it.

Some think it’s all the same: 
You pay a premium, and hope you never need it.

But these days, there’s actually three very different ways 
to design long-term care protection.

Here’s a quick breakdown I share with my clients:

1. Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance:
Think of it like homeowner’s insurance for your health.
You pay a premium, and if you need care, the policy pays benefits.
If you don’t need it, at least you were protected, just like car or home insurance.

✅Pros: Typically the lowest cost for pure coverage.
⚠️Cons: “Use it or lose it.” Premiums can increase over time.

2. Hybrid Life Insurance with Long-Term Care
This one’s become the most popular.
It combines life insurance with long-term care benefits.
If you need care, the policy pays for it.
If you don’t, your family receives the life insurance benefit when you pass.

✅Pros: You’ll always get value, either for care or a death benefit.
⚠️Cons: Higher upfront cost compared to traditional LTC.

3. Annuity with Long-Term Care Benefits
Ideal for people with existing cash or CDs earning little interest.
You reposition money into an annuity that multiplies its value for long-term care needs.

✅ Pros: Leverages idle money for future protection, with guarantees.
 ⚠️ Cons: Best for those who can tie up assets for the long term.

The truth is, there’s no “one-size-fits-all.”
The best option depends on your age, health, liquidity, 
and how much flexibility you want.

The goal?
To protect your assets, and your independence, 
so your family never faces the same tough choices mine did.

November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month, 
and it’s the perfect time to review your protection strategy.

I’m Frank Rekas, Personal CFO for law firm owners.

My MPG System helps you Minimize taxes, 
Protect life income and assets, and Grow wealth.

And long-term care planning is right in the middle of that “P.”

P.S. Take my 15-minute Financial Discovery, and I’ll show you which 
of the three approaches fits your plan best, and how to fund it efficiently.

Are you aware of the 40% gap? 

Too many law firm owners and attorneys 
don't take long-term disability insurance seriously.

More often than not, your group coverage 
isn’t what you think it is. 

Here’s an example of how Tony found out that he wasn’t protected enough:

He had a monthly income of $15k

His group coverage at the firm only covered the typical 60% of income. 

What he didn’t realize is that there was a
cap on the coverage of $6,000 per month. 

Here’s what that looks like:

Monthly income: $15,000.

60% of coverage equals: $9,000 per month.

Disability coverage: 60% of income up to $6,000/month

Shortfall: $3,000 per month.

Actual disability coverage: 40% of monthly income.

That’s not enough protection for him and his family. 

And wait.  It doesn’t end there.  

If the firm pays for his coverage his 
monthly benefits could also be taxable. 😬 

That makes the gap even worse. 

We filled the gap with a personal policy.
One that follows him no matter where he goes.

One that took less that 10 days to put in place.
Simple.  Easy.  And affordable.

Now Tony doesn't have to wonder anymore if "it" happens,
will he and his family be okay.  He knows they will.

Your number one asset is your ability to earn an income.

And income doesn’t grow on trees.

Knowing your benefits beats being surprised by them when you need them.

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