Manifesto

Most therapists see a therapist.

The Seattle Seahawks have almost as many coaches as players.

And even the most seasoned climber doesn’t summit Everest without a Sherpa.

You know why?

Because having a guide helps.

If you don’t know the way, a guide is indispensable.

But even if you’re an expert or well on your way, a guide can offer assurance, show you a few shortcuts and make sure you don’t stray off course.

We are guides.

And we help people navigate something far more compelling than a trail or path or investment opportunities and the market.

We don’t start a relationship by offering hot stock tips and patent-pending investment strategies.

We sit down and get to know our clients.

Where are they in their lives?

What makes them happy and fulfilled?

What do they want from their future?

Once we know where they are and where they want to go, we can set out on a journey to get there together.

And hey, if we decide we want to change where we’re going or take a different route, that’s okay too.

We’re expert guides, so we can help even the most sophisticated investor, but we pride ourselves on making the complicated easy to understand for everyone.

So we don’t put our arms around a client’s portfolio and drag it over to our side of the table and tell them we’ll take it from here.

We work with our clients to make sure they understand and are invested in the decisions we make.

We don’t sell our clients products; we help them make choices.

About the kind of life they want to live.

About when and how they want to retire.

And what kind of legacy they want to leave behind for their families, their communities, and the world.

We are Summit.

And we know it’s a bit cheesy, but darn it, we believe this to be true.

We guide our clients towards their dreams.

 

Building a Better, Budget-Friendly Vacation

Presented by Edward W. Grogan, IV

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to get moving on your vacation plans before it’s too late. Whether you decide to book online yourself or go through a travel agent, here are some tips to help you save time and money.

If you’re short on time

  • Not in the mood to do the research yourself? You can avoid spending hours figuring out where to go and what to do by working with an experienced travel agent. Give your agent a general idea of what you’re looking for and let him or her put together a plan that fits your schedule and budget. Besides saving you time, getting ideas from an expert might prompt you to try something different this year!
  • More of a do-it-yourself type? Travel websites such as Expedia, Kayak, and Travelocity make it easy to plan, allowing you to book your flight, hotel, and car rental with just a few clicks. If you want to stay at a particular hotel, be sure to check its site as well, as some deals are available only when you book directly with the property.
  • Waited too long to book a beach vacation? You may not be out of luck if you’re flexible with your dates. Consider going on an off-peak week (that is, outside of the July–August rush), when you’ll likely find greater availability and lower prices.

Getting more bang for your vacation buck
After months of low oil prices, cost savings may be starting to trickle down to airline passengers. Domestic travelers can expect to pay an average of $240 for a round-trip ticket in June, according to the airfare prediction app Hopper.

If hunting for discounts is part of the thrill in booking your vacation, there are even more ways to save:

  • Time it right. Sunday is often the most expensive day to fly during the summer, while Tuesday and Wednesday tend to be the cheapest, Fortune reports.
  • Don’t wait too long to book your flight! Although winging it can occasionally work in your favor, it often means paying more for your tickets—especially if your travel dates aren’t flexible. If you want to maximize your savings, keep an eye out for bargains in the period starting four months ahead of your trip and up through three weeks prior, advises CheapAir.com. When you spot a deal during this window, it’s usually wise to go ahead and make your purchase.
  • Leverage your agent’s connections. Your travel agent, if you decide to go with one, may be able to offer discounts through relationships he or she has established with hotels and airlines. Just ask!
  • Peruse a package. If you book through a travel website, be sure to check out the vacation packages it may offer. Depending on your time frame and destination, purchasing a package may add up to big savings. All-inclusive deals with meal plans can be worthwhile also, but it pays to do your research. Does the plan cover what you’re really looking for, or would it be less expensive to purchase what you need à la carte? Take a close look at what’s covered, as well as menu options and reviews from other travelers, before making a decision.
  • Go local. If you plan to rent a beach house or other non-hotel property, it’s a good idea to take advantage of local rental agents and resources. Although larger rental agencies may be more prominently advertised, you might find better deals and hidden gems by reaching out to local property managers.

Wherever and whenever you decide to go, a little proactive planning will help set the stage for a truly relaxing vacation—and possibly leave you with extra cash in your pocket!

View the original Commonwealth Financial Network article here.