79 Questions to Ask When Building a One-Page Plan

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Why you should create a one-page financial plan for your clients

Let’s be honest: Financial planning can feel overwhelming for many clients. The sheer complexity of it all – the endless forms, the nuanced tax strategies, the complex investment portfolios – can leave even the most diligent clients feeling like they’re drowning in a sea of financial jargon. The truth is, most people don’t need a 50-page financial plan full of terms they barely understand. What they need is clarity, simplicity, and actionable steps that they can follow through on. That’s where the power of a one-page financial plan comes into play.

The beauty of simplicity

A one-page financial plan distills everything that’s important down to its essence. It captures the most critical aspects of a client's financial life on a single sheet of paper, providing a clear, concise roadmap to achieving their financial goals. This approach is not about dumbing things down. Rather, it’s about making the complex simple so that clients can make progress without feeling paralyzed by information overload.

When clients see their entire financial picture on one page, something magical happens: They start to believe that achieving their goals is actually within reach. They see the steps laid out before them in a way that makes sense, and they feel empowered to take action. No more sifting through pages and pages of dense financial lingo. Instead, they get a straightforward plan focused on what matters most to them.

Why clients crave simplicity

Think about how clients feel when they walk into your office for the first time. They’re likely stressed, unsure, and maybe even a little intimidated by the process. They’re trusting you to guide them through one of the most important aspects of their lives – their financial future. But when they’re handed a massive, bound financial plan full of charts, graphs, and technical language, it’s easy to see how they might feel overwhelmed rather than reassured.

A one-page financial plan is the antidote to that overwhelm. It’s the tool that allows clients to see the big picture without getting lost in the weeds. It’s the plan that says, "Here’s where you are, here’s where you want to go, and here’s how we’re going to get you there." It’s simple, it’s clear, and it’s actionable.

Bite-size actions lead to progress

One of the biggest challenges in financial planning is turning strategy into action. Even the best-laid plans can fall apart if clients don’t take the necessary steps to implement them. That’s why a one-page financial plan is so powerful. It breaks down complex financial strategies into bite-size actions that clients can actually take.

For example, rather than telling a client they need to "optimize their tax strategy," a one-page plan might outline specific steps like "set up a meeting with your CPA to discuss Roth conversions," or "increase your 401(k) contributions by 2% this year." These are actions clients can understand and take, moving them closer to their goals with each step.

Creating a one-page financial plan: Where to start

So, how do you go about creating a one-page financial plan for your clients? It starts with asking the right questions – questions that dig deep into their financial goals, concerns, and priorities. My “79 Questions to Ask When Building a One-Page Plan” is an excellent resource for getting started. It’s designed to help you gather all the essential information you need to create a powerful, effective one-page plan.

Some of the key areas you’ll want to cover include:

Primary goals: What are the client’s most important financial goals? Are they worried about running out of money in retirement, leaving a legacy for their children, or perhaps not overpaying in fees?
Retirement income: How can you help them achieve their retirement goals? What are their income sources, and how do they compare to their lifestyle expenses?
Risk management: What steps can you take to protect their assets? Do they have the right insurance in place? Are their estate planning documents current?
Investment strategy: How should their portfolio be structured to generate the income they need in retirement? What adjustments can be made to improve their portfolio’s performance?

Action item: Download your guide

Now that you understand the power of a one-page financial plan, it’s time to put it into practice. Don’t let your clients lose sight of their goals in financial complexity. Give them the clarity and simplicity they crave with a one-page plan that’s tailored to their unique needs.

I’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you build these plans effectively – the same guide we use in our practice to deliver massive value to our clients. This guide is packed with the questions you need to ask, the strategies you need to implement, and the steps you need to take to create a one-page financial plan that works.

You can download it to get started and see for yourself how a one-page financial plan can transform the way you do business and the way your clients feel about their financial future.

Micah Shilanski, CFP®, is a financial planner who achieves the impossible. Micah is recognized as a leader in the concept of lifestyle design for financial planners and has spoken at conferences across the country. Micah is an advisor with Shilanski and Associates, a founder of Plan Your Federal Retirement, and a co-founder of The Perfect RIA.

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