TRACY BECHARD, CFP, CPCA,EPC, RRC Senior Financial Consultant at Investors Group Financial Services
TRACY BECHARD
Jigsaw puzzles can have thousands of pieces. It is easy to get frustrated or discouraged when things don’t come together quickly, or at all. This is especially true if you have overlooked an important piece or have just consulted a YouTube video for effective strategies and advice. So too, with financial planning. It is not just a matter of monthly budgeting or saving for retirement. It’s about making sure that all of the pieces of your unique financial puzzle come together.
“Our synchronized approach to financial planning provides a broader, deeper, more holistic view of our a clients’ financial lives and well-being. We never shoehorn our clients into prepackaged solutions. Instead, we work diligently with them to understand their financial lives and their unique personal, professional and family situations,” says Senior Financial Consultant, Tracy Bechard.
Tracy joined Investors Group more than 20 years ago. In the last couple of years she has taken on an associate. Together, Tracy and Associate Brenda Rumble, follow a somewhat unique business model. Typically, Brenda who recently passed her Registered Retirement Consultant course, focuses on the pieces that underpin the front and middle of the financial puzzle (debt restructuring, protection, savings etc.).
Then, Tracy, who is a Certified Financial Planner professional, a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging, an Elder Planning Counselor, and a Registered Retirement Consultant, focuses on the back end pieces (protection, savings for retirement, retirement goals and estate planning) including timing of CPP, retirement transition, liquidation strategies upon retirement, and transfer of wealth to the next generation.
“Without knowing everything about your personal situation, we can’t advise you properly. Planning is not just your investments, it’s about planning your life from birth to death and everything in the middle. Life happens, we know this and purposefully plan for it – we update and complete a live plan at every meeting,” Tracy explains.
“As I was approaching retirement, I realized that I had no solid plan for the future. My new wife, who was already a client…encouraged me to meet with her to discuss and draft a plan best suited for our hopes and dreams. I now have no worries…Tracy is so approachable, personable, and always there to help in any way that she can. Thank you so much for taking such good care of us as we journey through our retirement years.” (Kipp and Kathy B. – retired).
Unlike many advisors, Tracy and Brenda offer both personal and corporate/business planning. They believe that corporate planning, is just as important as personal planning. “80% of the time our individual clients will incorporate their businesses because of the way we plan. Unfortunately, far too many businesses fail because the owners, who are brilliant at what they do, do not fully understand how the tax system works, how to leverage income and expenses, and how to plan for retirement etc. It’s all part of a sound business plan,” Brenda explains.
Brenda Rumble
“Planners like Tracy and I show business owners and individuals, how to reduce their taxes, increase their revenue and income, and then, when they are ready, how to seamlessly pass their business or wealth to the next generation, without sacrificing their retirement income. We see our role like that of a Puzzle maker, we build the plan and then we work with the business owner or individual, their accountant, lawyer and everyone else who has a hand in their business, to put it all together,” Brenda says.
“…I had just left the bank and was not happy with my returns. I decided to give Brenda a chance and see what she could do. Not only has she managed to do more for my investments in two years than the bank did in 20, but she has been adamant about my business planning and what I need to do to decrease my taxes. I finally started to take the time to do what she suggested and have already noticed a decrease in my taxes.” (Bill L. – Business Owner)
Tracy and Brenda also believe that education is key when working with clients. Clients trust them with the most intimate details of their lives because they take the time to teach the how’s, when’s, why’s, and what’s of each detail in their plan. They don’t incorporate anything unless the client understands the reasons for it. They ask their clients the hard questions, and talk to them about insurance, risk management, aging, and death.
“Tracy Bechard has been our financial consultant for approximately two years. We have been with the parent company for many years. She knows the products and keeps up communications ensuring that we are well informed of any changes. The service she provides to us goes far beyond what we expected and we are certainly grateful that she is our consultant? (Del and Bev L. – Retired).
Tracy and Brenda’s compassion for their clients is another piece that sets them apart from other planners. “We tell our clients to think of us as a second spouse. We want to know everything about their lives. Without this knowledge, our planning may not be as effective. Compassion is one of our foundational values. Our Clients aren’t just a number to us, they are real people who we think of as special friends,” Tracy explains.
“…my husband passed away in May and Brenda has gone above and beyond for me, helping through everything from notifying insurance companies to his pension people, how to apply for apply for all the CPP stuff, and working with different companies to try and resolve issues that are a result of his passing. She has held my hand, listened while I vented, and is there for me whenever I need her. I don’t know what I would have done if she wasn’t here to help me through all the details of my husband’s death.” (Bev W. – Retired).
“The more data and information a client gives us, the more effective Brenda and I can be. But, customization involves disclosure. We can’t tailor something that is as unique as you are, if we don’t know anything about you. I always encourage my clients to think of us like a second spouse and to tell us everything, including their secret passions, hopes for the future, and concerns. Then, Brenda and I can tailor a plan that reflects your values, your priorities, and your specific wishes. We are honoured and blessed to have our clients trust us enough to share these intimate details with us and do everything in our power to prove that their trust has not been misplaced.”
Suzen Fromstein is the author of Suits and Ladders, Ten Proven Ways to Keep Your Job Safe - with a few jokes thrown in. Suits and Ladders was an Amazon Best Selling Book in the Career Guides Category
This is a general source of information only. It is not intended to provide personalized tax, legal or investment advice, and is not intended as a solicitation to purchase securities. Tracy Bechard and Brenda Rumble are solely responsible for its content. For more information on this topic or any other financial matter, please contact an Investors Group Consultant.
Tracy Bechard
CFP, CPCA, EPC, RRC
Senior Financial Consultant
Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
245 St. Clair Street Chatham, ON N7L 3J8
tracy.bechard@investorsgroup.com
519-355-0617