The Power of a "Get Organized Meeting"

When it comes to starting a financial plan, the hardest part is often just getting started. Between account statements, insurance policies, tax returns, and investment records, most people feel overwhelmed before they even begin. That’s why one of the most powerful tools in the financial planning process isn’t a sophisticated investment strategy—it’s simply getting organized .

Financial planning expert Michael Kitces, a widely respected thought leader in the advisory space, has long emphasized the value of a dedicated “Get Organized Meeting” as the first step toward building financial momentum. It’s a concept that resonates deeply with us at Buckeye Wealth Partners, because we've seen firsthand how transformative it can be.

What Is a "Get Organized Meeting"?

The “Get Organized Meeting” is exactly what it sounds like—a guided session where we work together to gather, sort, and make sense of all the various pieces of your financial life. It’s about removing friction, clearing mental clutter, and laying the groundwork for a meaningful financial plan.

This meeting isn’t about judgments or pressure. It’s not about trying to solve everything all at once. Instead, it’s about creating space and structure for you to take control—often for the first time in a long time. We have had clients walk in with a box full of financial documents and we dump them on the table and get to work helping them sort, organize, and in some cases shred unneeded documents.

Why It Matters

We think the "Get Organized Meeting" is a way to help our clients feel an immediate sense of progress. That feeling is incredibly motivating and it allows you to go from “I know I should be doing something…” to “I’m finally doing something—and I’m not doing it alone.”

Here’s why this step is so effective:

• Clarity: You get a full view of where things stand—your income, expenses, assets, debts, insurance, legal documents, and more.

• Momentum: Taking action, even small action, builds confidence and reduces procrastination.

• Efficiency: You save time and mental energy by pulling everything together in one place with the help of a professional.

• Direction: It becomes much easier to set goals, identify gaps, and make smart decisions when everything is visible and organized.

What to Expect in Your Get Organized Meeting

I have recently filed a trademark at the US Patent Office for something I call your VitalFile™. It is a organization system to organize all your most important financial and non-financial documents. I have included a link to the table of contents to VitalFile™ for you to use if you’d like.

If you're wondering what happens in this meeting, here’s a preview:

• Document Collection: We'll ask you to gather key financial documents—tax returns, investment statements, insurance policies, pay stubs, estate documents, and more. We’ll provide a checklist to make this step easier.

• Review & Clarify: Together, we’ll walk through what you’ve gathered to clarify what you have, where it is, and whether it’s working toward your goals.

• Identify Gaps: We’ll highlight areas that may need attention—missing beneficiaries, outdated insurance, unlinked accounts, or underutilized tax strategies.

• Organize for Action: We’ll start building your financial “dashboard”—a clear, concise overview of your financial life. From here, we can begin crafting a plan that aligns with your life and goals.

You're Not Alone

We know financial clutter is real. For most people, life gets busy, paperwork piles up, and things get postponed. That’s okay. The point of a Get Organized Meeting isn’t to be perfect—it’s to make progress. We’re here to help guide you, not judge you.

Whether you're a long-time client looking to refresh your financial foundation, or someone just getting started, this meeting can be a powerful reset. Getting things organized is often the gateway to deeper financial conversations—and better long-term outcomes.

Ready to Get Started?

If you're feeling stuck, scattered, or unsure where to begin, we invite you to schedule a Get Organized Meeting (click to schedule) . It’s a low-pressure, high-impact way to take control of your finances and start building toward the life you want.

Because once you’re organized, everything else starts to fall into place.

Thank you for being part of this journey. I can't wait to share more with you!

Regards,

Jim Kilgore, The Buckeye Finance Guy

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