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"Dear
Parents,
It was 1998
and I was the single parent of an eleven year old daughter and a
thirteen
year old
son. As the father resided in another state and was not to be
counted on for
any
financial or any type of support, I realized I needed to make
significant changes.
College
would soon be looming its expensive head and the children were very
bright
and
motivated in school. I had been working with a 'financial
consultant' but seemed
to be ending
up with less and less of my principal as the years went by. I
always
heard, 'It's
the economy...everyone is losing.' I had been saving since the
children
were born
and could not stand the thought of losing all my efforts. I
researched the
college
planners, tax and financial consultants, in Monmouth, Ocean and
Middlesex
counties.
I narrowed it down to four and went on interviews to hear their
thoughts
and advice
on where I stood in my then financial status. When I initially
met with
Pat Friel,
he was in the small building across from where he is now. I
was impressed
by his 'can
do' attitude and consistency in what he was saying. I needed
someone at
that time to
give me hope instead of 'You will never be able to afford college
for your
children by
yourself...You will need to take on a second job and your children
will have
to attend
community colleges.' Now, there is nothing wrong with
community colleges
or your
child working and saving towards his/her own college expenses.
However, I
was already
working long and demanding hours and did not want to be away from
my children
for any longer periods of time. I myself was also in the
process of
completing a
second masters degree at Rutgers University and, had set my sights
high
for my
children. Pat was upbeat, showed that he was not only
interested but actually
cared about
my situation. as I felt that I was not going to be perceived
as a 'number'
I chose Pat
at Discovery Financial Group with little hesitation.
My finances
were re-arranged not only for college purposes but also to maximize
my
tax returns.
As my resources/savings grew I began to 'see a light' and was able
to
relax.
Now, that is not to say that at times I don't go crazy with Federal and
other
financial
forms that are due at the two different colleges each year.
However, Pat
has been
there for my frantic calls with 'How do I do this.' I have
developed some of
Pat's can-do
attitude and remain living proof that consistent, sound financial
planning
such that was provided to me does work. Today, eight years
later, not only
do I have a
growing retirement plan, I have a son in private college in the
BS/MD
program and
a daughter also in a private college (both out of state). I am
well aware
of the
enormous costs of medical school but I am confident with Pat at my
side
guiding me I
will be able to accomplish what I once thought was impossible.
My
daughter, a
freshman, also plans on continuing her education to a PhD level.
I feel
more secure
as the years have gone by as I am able to comprehend some of the
complexities
Pat has patiently explained to me. I have also engaged
Discovery
Financial
Group for my Life Insurance and Long Term Care Policies. My
parents'
investments
are now with Discovery Group and even their house was re mortgaged
through Pat.
Yes, I am
still single and the mother of two wonderful college students, but I
am a
different
person from eight years ago. My future as well as that of my
son and
daughter is
now secure with even greater financial plans for the future.
I do not
hesitate to recommend Pat and Patricia and Discovery Financial Group
to
anyone
seeking a better life for themselves and/or their families.
Take Care,
Janet Burns
LPC LSW
Program
Coordinator Seniors First At Applewood Estates"
Client since
1999 |
