Welcome to

Balanced Wealth Planning

Developing Unique Investment and Tax Management Strategies

We know that tax and financial planning can be complicated.

That’s why we strive to make working with an experienced advisor, like us, simple.

Our well-established team is dedicated to providing wealth management for your lifetime and your legacy.

Over the years, we have preserved the same investment principles upon which we were founded, and our “investor first” philosophy affirms our dedication to helping you meet your financial goals. With a variety of services and solutions tailored to address your financial concerns, we’ll help you find balance in order to maximize your lifestyle.

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Dedicated to Being A Client-Focused

Results-Driven Financial Firm

What Sets Us Apart?

We’re a multi-generational firm that believes in the importance of sound financial planning from one lifetime to the next.

Our family-owned firm was established in the 1960’s, and we have had the fortune of continuing to work with clients through the decades. We pride ourselves on developing relationships with not only our clients but with their families and loved ones as well.

Over the years, we’ve developed and maintained a few core principles that we stand by today. Our goal is to be there for you and your future family members as your legacy is passed along for generations to come.

Our Values, Your Needs

Clear Communication

Trying to gain financial understanding can often feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With a dedication to your financial literacy, we’ll communicate how the law applies to your finances and investments in an easy-to-understand way. Our firm offers a completely honest and transparent experience so that you feel confident in your decisions moving forward.

Service Above Self

We are a team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™(CFP®) professionals and Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) held to a fiduciary standard. This means that we are required to put your best interests ahead of our own. Simply put, we succeed when you do. We want you to have a clear understanding of how your wealth is being spent and will do our best to help you maximize and achieve your financial goals.

Integrity First

Our objective is to work with like-minded people who have clear goals for the future, yet they enjoy every moment along the way. We offer unbiased recommendations and hold no judgment of your circumstances; we simply want to help you succeed. We will develop an understanding of your financial picture as a whole and make recommendations based on where you are and where you’d like to be.

Client Focused Solutions and Understanding

At Balanced Wealth Planning, Inc. we believe in developing personalized tax and financial advice. We place a great deal of emphasis on communicating our recommendations to you in a way you understand in order to encourage confidence in the long run.

Our goal is to minimize or eliminate the tax burden
standing between you and your sources of wealth, regardless of size.

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How We Help

Your Financial Planning Partners

The founders of Balanced Wealth Planning, Inc., Steven & Kathleen Symer, met at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in January of 2010 during their senior year. After parking next to each other en route to provide volunteer income tax preparation services to low income households, they bonded and have since come full circle.

Meet the Balanced Wealth Planning, Inc. Team

Steven C. Symer CPA, CFP®

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I have always had a fascination with personal finance. At 8 years old, I remember seeing an interest payment on my bank statement and wondering if I could get enough interest payments to be “rich”. In tenth grade, I recall my math teacher teaching us about the relationship between compounded interest payments and time and being enthralled every step of the way.

- Steven

With a passion for personal finance, Steven believes there are great financial benefits to take advantage of regardless of one’s level of income or wealth. The most rewarding aspect of his occupation is the opportunity to see people gain or get closer to financial independence.

Steven graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a concentration in accounting. Following college, he worked for a large public accounting firm as an auditor to both publicly traded and private companies where he obtained his Certified Public Accounting license. In 2014, he decided to follow his passion and pursue his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) license, which he attained in 2016 and also holds a CA Insurance License (License #: 0L82619).

Steven’s hobbies outside of the office include spending time with his wife, Kathleen, and their son, Nathan. He is an avid college and professional football fan and also enjoys riding dirt bikes and competing in off road races.

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Kathleen M. Symer CPA, CFP®

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“Shortly after graduating high school I started working at a local bank that offered a 401(k). I remember going home to speak with my parents about the plan and how adamant they were about getting the maximum employer match. At the time I had very little knowledge of personal finances because the school curriculum didn’t spend much time on the subject. Unfortunately, I feel that is still prevalent in today's system. I now have a strong desire to help my clients fulfill their financial potential by taking advantage of strategies that should be mandatory curriculum in school.”

- Kathleen

Kathleen is a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a concentration in accounting. Following college, she worked for a large public accounting firm as a tax consultant, where she obtained her Certified Public Accounting License. In 2014, Kathleen began to pursue the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation, which she obtained in 2016 and also holds a CA Insurance License (License #: 0L82621). With her knowledge of both personal financial planning and taxes, Kathleen is able to gain a thorough understanding of her client’s full picture.

Outside of the office, Kathleen enjoys spending time with her husband, Steven, and son, Nathan. They love traveling, experiencing the world and learning about new places.

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Building a Path

Toward Your Financial Freedom

Our clients Santa Barbara, CA Balanced Wealth Planning, Inc.

As Your Financial Partners,

We’re Motivated By Your Success

With extensive experience in the financial industry, we enjoy providing our clients with comprehensive, tailored and integrated wealth management services. We serve affluent and high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners and more, utilizing a fiduciary management approach.

As our client, you’ll benefit from a collaborative relationship that addresses and anticipates your needs. Along with our disciplined process, we provide a structured and straightforward approach that allows for customization based on your goals.

Over the Years

We’ve Found That We Work Best With

Individuals

Trustees

Beneficiaries

Small Business Owners

Because we value our time as much as you value yours

We expect honesty and
transparency from the start.

We strive to build a long-lasting, genuine relationship with you and your loved ones. And if you’re looking for trusted, reliable financial and tax advice, we look forward to working with you.

Discover What We Offer

Begin Your Journey

Towards Wealth Empowerment

We develop plans that are designed to be proactive, forward-thinking and mindful of your unique financial goals. In doing so, we hope to help you prepare for the unexpected while protecting your financial future.

Because we are a team, you can expect collaboration and the advantage of working with people who ultimately have your best interests in mind. Above all, our strategies are designed to strengthen your financial independence.

Our Planning Process Includes

Step 1

Understanding Your Goals

Our relationship will begin by having a complimentary, no obligation conversation to understand what you are looking for and what you hope to achieve.

Step 2

Developing a Plan & Crafting Your Portfolio

As we mutually decide to move forward with the planning process, we will develop our recommendations by analyzing how your income, expenses and investment portfolio interact with your taxes. We ask that you provide your tax return and any appropriate information or paperwork prior to this meeting.

Step 3

Remaining On Track

We will communicate our recommendations based on your unique circumstances, leaving you to feel confident that you’re on the right track. By implementing a strategic plan to enhance your finances, we hope to help maximize efficiency on your path towards wealth creation, preservation or transfer.

Ready to Get Started?

Our goal is to work with you over time to help you develop financial habits that will benefit you in the long run. From tax preparation to comprehensive planning, we can help guide you to where you want to be.

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Tailored Solutions

For a Sound Financial Future

Comprehensive Financial Planning Santa Barbara, CA Balanced Wealth Planning, Inc.

Comprehensive Financial Planning

Our financial planning services are designed to help you understand your current finances and further build a foundation using your unique financial goals.

Our focus on planning ahead should allow you to better enjoy living in the moment. Our comprehensive financial plans are ongoing processes that are revisited as your unique circumstances and goals change.

These Services Include an Evaluation of Your:

Current Income
Investment Portfolio
Major Goals Before & During Retirement
College Planning
Insurance Needs
Savings & Investment Strategies
Debt Structure
Employee Benefits
Budget Analysis
And More

How Much Does It Cost?

Comprehensive Planning

Initial $1,000 charge, followed by a monthly charge calculated as the greater of: $350/month for a minimum of 12 months

-or-

[.5% of your net worth (excluding primary residence) + .75% of your annual income] / 12 months

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Project Based Planning Santa Barbara, CA Balanced Wealth Planning, Inc.

Project-Based Planning

We recognize not everyone needs comprehensive financial planning, which is why we also offer project-based financial planning for varying needs. This service is designed to cover a few specific details in your financial life in order to lead you in the direction of success.

Popular Examples of Project Based Planning

Retirement Preparation

Pension & Social Security Claims Strategies

Retirement Related Tax Concerns

Inheritance Details

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of project based planning varies based on the complexity of your needs. You can expect costs in the range of $500 to $2,500.

Ready to Get Started?

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Investment Management Santa Barbara, CA Balanced Wealth Planning, Inc.

Investment Management

We offer investment solutions to facilitate efficient wealth and investment management. Our investment philosophy revolves around developing a tailored portfolio that helps you accomplish your personal and financial goals.

Our Key Pillars of Investment Success Include

Staying Invested

Keeping Costs Low

Tax Diversification

Planning for Market Fluctuation

How Much Does It Cost?

These specified services are offered as part of a tiered cost schedule that is based on assets invested.

Assets Under Management	Fee Percentage
$0 - $500,000	1.00%
$500,001 - $1,000,000	0.80%
$1,000,001 - $5,000,000	0.60%
$5,000,001 +	0.40%

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Tax Planning & Preparation Santa Barbara, CA Balanced Wealth Planning, Inc.

Tax Planning & Preparation

When it comes to taxes, our goal is to help you minimize any hurdles that may stand in the way of you achieving your goals. We’ll work together to review your tax return and share our observations about how to more efficiently maintain your earnings.

Popular Tax Planning Concerns

How will my inheritance affect my taxes?
I am thinking about starting my own business. What do I need to know?
I will be in a higher or lower tax bracket this year. What can I do to maximize the situation?
I am about to get a large bonus or stock grant. Am I able to minimize the tax burden?
I am thinking about selling my home or rental property. How much will it cost me in taxes?

We also specialize in the preparation of forms 1040 (individual) and 1041 (fiduciary) income tax returns as well as all associated state filings. Business filings such as forms 1065 (partnership), 1120-S (S-Corporation) and 1120 (C-Corporation) are offered on a limited basis to our individual and fiduciary tax clients only.

How Much Does It Cost?

Tax Planning

The cost of tax planning varies based on the complexity of your needs. You can expect costs in the range of $500 to $2,500.

Tax Preperation

The cost of tax preparation varies based on complexity and type of return but you can expect costs in the range of $300 - $3,500

Please note that bookkeeping, payroll and sales tax services are not offered.

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Proudly Serving

Santa Barbara, Ca
and Beyond

Simplify your Finances Santa Barbara, CA Balanced Wealth Planning, Inc.

Let’s Develop a Solution
To Simplify Your Finances

Your future is full of potential and we believe it starts with financial understanding.

While we are based in Santa Barbara, CA, we enjoy meeting with clients virtually, all over the United States. Give us a call or send us an email to get started today, we’re excited to begin working with you.