Contact

Contact

Why Us?

Why should you work with us?

Focus on what you can control

We help you prioritize actionable financial steps—like spending and saving—over uncontrollables like market shifts. By aligning your values with your goals and adapting as your life changes, we ensure you can focus on what matters most to you while we manage the finances.

Independent Fiduciaries

Would you prefer an advisor limited by their brokerage's offerings, or one who doesn’t see your whole financial picture? Likely not. Choosing an independent firm ensures someone always prioritizes your interests, just as a true fiduciary should.

What we deliver

We'll meet at least biannually, sometimes more, to review your financial plan. Throughout the year, we handle the technical details—like investment, tax, insurance, and estate planning reviews—behind the scenes, reaching out with updates or when action is needed. You can also rely on us whenever you need support.

Our collaborative process

Our relationship is built on respect, open communication, and active participation. We encourage you to reach out whenever life changes—we're here to help! To understand more about how we work together, read our Client Engagement Standards that all clients review and sign.

Why hire a Fee Only Financial Advisor?

No
Commissions

No Commissions

Fee-only financial planning means advisors are paid directly by clients, not through commissions. This model ensures unbiased, tailored advice focused solely on your best interests.

Transparent Pricing

Transparent Pricing

Fee-only financial planning means advisors are paid directly by clients, not through commissions. This model ensures unbiased, tailored advice focused solely on your best interests.

Credentialed & Experienced

Credentialed & Experienced

The advisors at Ignite are highly experienced and have successfully passed the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) examination, ensuring knowledgeable and trustworthy financial guidance.

Ignite Financial's model is rare

  • In the United States, there are over 300,000 financial advisors
  • Approximately 25% are Certified Financial Planners®
  • Approximately 6% are fee-only
  • How many are CFPs, fee-only, and are flat fee?
  • Very few - we are among those few

College Planning

Sending your kids or loved ones to college is a big decision. Thankfully, there are many strategies that can be utilized depending on your unique situation. At Benchmark Financial, we aid in establishing and implementing a suitable plan of action for you and your teenager.

Check

Utilize 529 education accounts (if appropriate)

Check

Determine order of assets used to pay for college

Check

Calculate expected family contribution

Check

FAFSA application guidance

Check

Determine merit based scholarships

Check

Educate throughout the entire process

Tax Guidance

If you hold investments, they will be taxed in various ways. We help optimize investment and withdrawal strategies to minimize the taxes you will pay throughout your pre-retirement and retirement years. You will be kept up-to-date on new tax polices and how they may, or may not, impact your tax situation.

If you have money in any of the following account types listed here, please reach out as we may be able to help you pay less in taxes.

Roth IRA

Traditional IRA

Roth 401(k)

Traditional 401(k)

Roth 403(b)

Traditional 403(b)

Flex Savings Account

Health Savings Account

Investment Management

Everyone has their own unique goals when it comes to investing. We are here to help you achieve those goals in the most stress-free environment possible. Here is a brief overview of our proven investment strategy:

Check

Keep Fees Low

There is a single factor that has been shown to be correlated with higher returns—low fees. A study conducted by Morningstar® concluded that the expense ratio, or annual cost, of a fund is the only dependable predictor of future performance.1

Check

Diversify Assets

By dividing your investments across different asset classes (e.g. bonds, U.S. stocks, international stocks) rather than putting all your eggs in one basket, you can reduce risk by letting one part of your portfolio cushion the blow if another part goes down.

Check

Think Long-Term

Markets consistently fluctuate as speculation and basic human psychology influence investor behavior. Despite this volatility, the overall market has produced a 10.2% gross average return in the last 89 years.

Insurance Planning

The primary goal of insurance is to mitigate risk and put some of your worries at ease. At Benchmark Financial, we help determine which insurance policy best suites your unique situation. Moreover, we help determine if you are carrying a policy that you actually don’t need — this is where a lot money can be saved.

Are you overinsured or spending money on an insurance product that you don't need?

contact us

We look at the full picture

If you have an existing policy or policies, we take a look at all the relevant details. We make sure that the amount of coverage you have is appropriate, that you are maintaining the correct deductible, and more.

But many times you may be overinsured and not know it. For example, if you have a healthy emergency fund, you probably don’t need a $500 deductible on your auto policy. This means you are wasting valuable money on a product which could be better utilized elsewhere; such as investment products that earn interest.

Estate Preparation

Preparing your estate to transfer to your heirs can be cumbersome. That’s why we help you to determine how your assets will transfer in the most tax efficient way possible. That means we look at your entire portfolio, including investments, real estate, business interests, and more.

To begin, we will help you:

check

Establish and set up beneficiaries

check

Review the nuances of your will

check

Review any applicable trust agreements

check

File any insurance claims

It all starts with hello.

Fill out this secure form and we'll reach out to you within 24 hours. And we won't send you spam or promotional emails.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

It all starts with hello.

Fill out this secure form and we'll reach out to you within 24 hours. And we won't send you spam or promotional emails.

BENCHMARK FINANCIAL, LLC (“BENCHMARK FINANCIAL”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State[s] of IOWA and in other jurisdictions where exempted. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.The information on this site is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This information should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision.Past performance is no indication of future results. Investment in securities involves significant risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. It should not be assumed that any recommendations made will be profitable or equal any performance noted on this site.The information on this site is provided “AS IS” and without warranties of any kind either express or implied. To the fullest extent permissible pursuant to applicable laws, BENCHMARK FINANCIAL, LLC disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability, non-infringement, and suitability for a particular purpose. BENCHMARK FINANCIAL does not warrant that the information on this site will be free from error. Your use of the information is at your sole risk. Under no circumstances shall BENCHMARK FINANCIAL be liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the information provided on this site, even if BENCHMARK FINANCIAL or a BENCHMARK FINANCIAL authorized representative has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Information contained on this site should not be considered a solicitation to buy, an offer to sell, or a recommendation of any security in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation, or recommendation would be unlawful or unauthorized.

Copyright 2021

At Benchmark Financial, we aim to educate as much as advise. Here is our database of recommended books, videos, and terms to further educate yourself.

No matter who you are, we will work with you.

Young Professional

This option usually suits younger individuals that have just entered the work force.

Check

Employer 401(k) Analysis

Check

Employer Insurance Analysis

Check

Student Loan Repayment

Check

Housing & Car Purchases

Check

Debt Management

Check

Investment Strategies

Check

Savings Strategies

Check

Emergency Fund

Check

Budgeting

Established career

This option is best suited for those who are in a mid-life stage, that have been working for roughly a decade.

Check

Kids College Planning

Check

Retirement Planning

Check

Tax Strategies

Check

Insurance Planning

Check

Investment Managment

Check

Emergency Savings

Check

Vacation Home Buying

Check

Charitable giving

Check

Caring for aging parents

Check

Rental Properties

Check

Estate Planning

Retiree / Pre-Retiree

This option is for those who are reired, or close to retirement, and may have a more complex financial picture.

Check

Retirement Planning

Check

Social Security

Check

Medicare

Check

Estate/legacy planning

Check

Insurance Planning

Check

Budgeting

Check

Debt management

Check

Charitable giving

Check

Investment Management

At Benchmark Financial, we aim to educate as much as advise. Here is our database of recommended books, videos, and terms to further educate yourself.

Pricing / Fees

Financial Planning Projects

A project based financial plan is charge as a flat-dollar fee. This fee may vary depending on the complexity of your situation, and can be broken up into separate payments for your budgeting purposes.

$1,500 - $4,000

One Time Fee

Ongoing wealth Management

Wealth management allows for an ongoing relationship where we meet at regular intervals throughout the year and discuss relevant topics.

Total personal assets

Annual
Advisory Fee

$0 - $500,000

0.85%

$500,001 - $1,000,000

0.75%

$1,000,001 - $2,000,000

0.65%

$2,000,001 - $5,000,000

0.45%

$5,000,001 - $10,000,000

0.35%*

$10,000,001 - $25,000,000

0.20%*

Comprehensive, holistic financial planning.

Arrow pointing to description

DISCOVER

We dive into your needs, aspirations,
and financial situation.

Arrow pointing to description

Indentify

We clarify your goals and financial data.

Arrow pointing to description

Analyze

We assess whether the current course of action will achieve your goals. 

Arrow pointing to description

DEVELOP

We create and communicate your
financial plan and ongoing strategies.

Arrow pointing to description

implement

We put your plan into action based on our professional recommendations.

Arrow pointing to description

monitor

We continue to track your plan and
make adjustments when life happens.