It Starts with a Plan
Welcome, I’m Michael Bishop, a financial consultant in Murrieta, California. I understand that individuals face unique challenges as they prepare for retirement and look to succeed with their financial goals. With a carefully thought-out plan, I aim to prepare you for today and tomorrow. Whether your goal is saving for retirement, college savings, or estate strategy, my personalized service focuses on your needs, wants, and financial goals and objectives.
For over 35 years I've been advising families, individuals, and businesses and can help you address your needs and goals through all stages of your life.
Helpful Content
Federal Capital Gains Tax Estimator
Estimate your potential federal capital gains tax liability on the sale of an asset.
How to Appeal Your Property Taxes
For homeowners who think their property taxes are too high, there are ways to appeal.
The Pre-Retirement Checklist
This checklist can give you a quick snapshot of how prepared you are.
Why Do Renters Have to Save More?
How much more would retirement cost if you owned your home rather than rented? It could actually be several times less.
Social Security Benefits: How Much Will I Receive
Calculating your potential Social Security benefit is a three-step process.
Putting a Price Tag On Your Health
Being healthy not only makes you feel good, it may also help you financially.
Data Thieves from Outer Space
Learn about the dangers of internet fraud with this highly educational and fun “pulp” comic.
What Can You Buy With 529 Distributions?
This article can be a helpful guide when beginning to prepare for education expenses.
Find That Lost Retirement Account
With over 24 million “forgotten” 401(k) accounts, you may be surprised to learn of your unclaimed “found” money.
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Simple 401k
See how increasing your 401(k) contributions today could affect your balance at retirement.
Historical Inflation
See how the purchasing power of a dollar has changed over time due to inflation.
How Long Will My Savings Last If I Become Disabled?
See how long your current savings might last if a disability interrupted your income.
Roth 401(k) vs. Traditional 401(k)
Compare Roth and traditional 401(k) options to see which may work better for your situation.
IRA Income
Estimate the potential monthly income your IRA balance could generate in retirement.
How Much Home Can I Afford?
Estimate how much home may fit within your budget based on income and expenses.
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Keeping Up with the Joneses
Lifestyle inflation can be the enemy of wealth building. What could happen if you invested instead of buying more stuff?
Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
The Real Cost of a Vacation Home
What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
Acres of Diamonds
In life it often happens that the answers to our most pressing questions are right in our own backyards.
Finding the Balance
The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.