Michael Kennedy

CFP® | Financial Advisor

MY WHY

Why I Became a Financial Advisor

I remember watching my father scour the financial pages for winning stocks to invest in. While he had some success, I knew he was just guessing. There had to be a better way. So, I saved enough to pay for my first year of college and decided to major in finance.

When I signed up for a 401(k) at my first job, I was surprised to find that no one there could help me choose the right investments that would help me retire. I became a financial advisor so I could help others find their better way.

Planning, saving and investing: When all three work together, the result is powerful.

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MORE ABOUT MICHAEL

Michael Kennedy joined Forum Financial Management in 2010.

He enjoys helping individuals and couples with their investment management, estate and financial planning needs.  Michael works with busy individuals who inquire if their retirement assets are invested properly and on pace.  He helps to design an investment program that balances resources, risk tolerance with their specific goals.  His services include helping individuals with personal budgets, organizing their investments and measuring results.  He coordinates with estate planning professionals as needed.

Michael is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. He received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Northern Illinois University. Michael lives in the western suburbs with his wife, Jeanne.  He enjoys biking, traveling and baseball.

ARTICLES & INSIGHTS

Building Up Your Emergency Savings Fund

MICHAEL KENNEDY

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A PERSONAL APPROACH

Tell Us About Your Financial Life and Aspirations

Your experience begins with an initial meeting to identify your financial vision for the future and risk tolerance levels. We review our investment philosophy and approach with you so that you fully understand each milestone of our process and how our relationship will evolve over time.

Discuss Topics Crucial to Your Financial Success

Over the course of the next few meetings, the content and breadth of each meeting is defined by your personal needs. We can review your estate planning and risk management needs, discuss retirement accumulation or distribution planning, evaluate educational funding needs, review your tax situation, and go over any other items crucial to your financial success.

Develop a Strategic Plan Unique to You

Once you select an allocation, we put together a strategic implementation plan that will coordinate investment of your portfolio between qualified (tax-advantaged) assets and non-qualified assets in order to maximize tax efficiency. The topics we address during our time with you vary depending on your unique needs and situation.

Putting Your Plan Into Action

We establish your Forum account based on the portfolio allocation we discussed and what we learned about your risk tolerance and financial goals. With your new Forum account now in place, you will have the opportunity to access your Forum Client Portal for the first time and connect with members of the Forum Client Service team.

Review Goals and Plans When Your Life Changes

You will receive reporting that will clearly show your performance net of all fees and compared to applicable market indexes. Additionally your assets are held at a reputable third-party custodian that furnishes independent monthly reports so you can feel confident about the safe handling of your money.

Ready to Connect With a Forum Advisor?