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.

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

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