How to Get Started

Note: We often work with clients electronically - some of the steps below may be adjusted to meet the needs of working online.

1. Call for more information or to set up an appointment.

   Phone numbers are: 217-488-6473, or toll-free 866-488-6473.

   You can also email me at info@BlankenshipFinancial.com to request more information or an appointment.

2. Fill out our questionnaire.

   This confidential questionnaire must be filled out and returned to BFP at least one day in advance of our meeting, regardless of the service you are considering.

   Click here fill out our online questionnaire. Follow the directions carefully.

   If you’d rather print out the questionnaire and fill it out by hand, click here for a .pdf version (requires Adobe Acrobat).

   If you need a copy of the questionnaire mailed to you, call the office and we’ll be happy to send it out.

   When complete, you can either scan and email the questionnaire back to me or fax it to 888-294-7794.

3. What to bring with you.

   Click here to open a checklist of items that you should bring with you to the meeting (requires Adobe Acrobat).

4. The meeting.

   The meeting is informal and the dress casual. This first meeting allows you to get to know Jim and to determine if you are comfortable with our services. Before contracting for our services, you should feel confident that we provide the guidance you are seeking. At the same time, we are looking to understand your needs and to determine if we can provide the service you are looking for. This is accomplished by asking various questions concerning your goals, desires and finances.

   If we're meeting electronically, it is helpful if you can be in a quiet place with few distractions. A speaker phone or multiple extensions may be helpful if there will be more than one person on your end of the line.

5. Firm estimate.

   After getting to know you, and understanding what your concerns and requirements are, an estimate will be developed for the work required. This will be a range that will cover the actual cost you'll pay upon completion of our work. The estimate range is based upon the estimated time that we expect to spend developing and communicating your plan.

6. Your decision.

   You essentially have three choices at this point:

   A. You can sign up for the work that we've recommended; or

   B. We can work on a subset of your requirements. Many times, a complete financial plan is overwhelming at the start. Often we start with a simple allocation plan and budget process, leaving retirement planning, insurance planning, and estate planning for later; or

   C. You can decide to do nothing. You may determine that the time is not right at this point for you to engage us, or we may have answered all of your questions at the initial meeting.

Why not get started today? Give us a call at 217-488-6473 to set up an appointment!