“What has kept me in the business during the tough times … has been my clients. Some of these people are in their 90s – and they have been with me since I was 27 years old,” said Debbie L. Montgomery, CFP. Montgomery owns DM Financial Planning, Inc., which provides clients with asset allocation and portfolio management, investment analysis, estate planning, education funding and financial planning services.

Montgomery, a graduate of Georgia State University, began her career with a national brokerage in Atlanta. After 8 years her business grew enabling her to start her own firm.

“Serving clients begins with knowing who they are and from where they got their current savings. The discovery process to learn a client’s needs is essential,” Montgomery insisted.

“Some people inherited money and this represents a legacy from their family, or may be they built a business their savings represent risk and sacrifice.” Montgomery said. “People actually have an emotional attachment to what they have saved whether that is $50,000. or 500,000...so great care should be taken when handling that money.”

Montgomery’s philosophy is to diversify the portfolio and review each investment periodically to ensure that it remains worthwhile. “Educating clients,” she noted, “Reminding them the purpose of each asset or product they have bought. Because over time clients are not sure why they bought the products to begin with.” According to Montgomery, “Producing an internal rate of return that meets the client’s needs with minimal risk is the goal.”

“I’ve met people in their 70s who never had an advisor and...They chase high yield products, take on too much risk to catch up or sometimes not enough risk out of fear. They fall off course and risk out living their money” she said.

Explaining that her clients typically have assets anywhere from an average of $150,000 and $2 million. She noted that the average age of her clients is 65. “Younger clients are welcome,” Montgomery said, adding, “But diligent savers are preferred.”

“I wouldn’t turn a client away if they have clear financial goals and steer clear of debt… this is a long-term relationship with your client and that’s got to start somewhere.”

For more information, visit: www.dmfinancialplanning.com

Debbie L. Montgomery is registered with and securities offered through Kovack Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Kovack Securities Corporate Headquarters:  800-711-4078 | kovacksecurities.com.; Investment advisory services offered through Kovack Advisors, Inc. DM Financial Planning, Inc. is not affiliated with Kovack Securities, Inc.or Kovack Advisors Inc.