The Incline Financial Planning Blueprint

At Incline Financial Planning, we believe true financial success isn’t found by chasing hot stock tips, timing the market, or constantly upgrading your lifestyle. It comes from following a clear, disciplined plan — one that builds security, grows wealth, and ultimately allows you to live with peace and freedom, give with confidence, and leave a lasting impact on your family’s future.

Our Incline Financial Planning Blueprint blends three time-tested frameworks:

  1. Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps — a simple, behavioral-first approach to building a rock-solid foundation.

  2. John Bogle’s Investing Philosophy — low-cost, evidence-based index investing.

  3. The Bucket Strategy — structuring investments for both growth and stability, so your money supports your life through every stage.

This Blueprint is the framework we use with every client, tailored to your unique situation but rooted in the same timeless principles.

The 7 Baby Steps as the Foundation of the Blueprint

Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps provide the behavioral and structural foundation for everything we do at Incline Financial Planning. While we tailor the application to each client’s situation, the order and principles remain constant.

Baby Step 1: Save $1,000 for a Starter Emergency Fund

This is your first line of defense. A small cushion prevents small setbacks from becoming big financial derailments. It’s not meant to cover every catastrophe — it’s designed to stop you from going further into debt the next time life throws you a $500 car repair or unexpected bill.

Baby Step 2: Pay Off All Consumer Debt (Except the House)

Using the Debt Snowball Method, we attack debts smallest to largest. The momentum of knocking out small balances creates wins that keep you motivated, even if the math suggests paying the highest interest first.

  • Credit cards, car loans, and personal loans all go here.

  • The goal: eliminate monthly payments and free up cash flow.

Baby Step 3: Build a Fully Funded Emergency Fund (3–6 Months of Expenses)

Once you’re debt-free (except the mortgage), you shift to building a serious safety net.

  • This covers job loss, medical issues, or major home/auto repairs.

  • For dual-income, stable households: 3 months is often enough.

  • For single-income families or variable-income earners: aim for 6 months.

At this point, you’re debt-free and financially stable. That’s when the conversation shifts from defense to offense.

Baby Step 4: Invest 15% of Your Household Income for Retirement

Contribution Order

We recommend investing 15% of your gross household income in this sequence, with a strong preference for Roth contributions in both IRAs and 401(k)s:

  1. Get the 401(k) employer match (if available). Always capture free money first.

    • Roth 401(k) contributions are preferred because withdrawals are tax-free in retirement, providing flexibility and tax diversification.

    • Limited circumstances may warrant pre-tax contributions, such as if you are in a very high current tax bracket or have unusual tax situations.

  2. Roth IRA. Maximize contributions here if eligible.

    • Provides tax-free growth and no required minimum distributions (RMDs), offering long-term flexibility.

    • Backdoor Roth IRA: If your income exceeds Roth IRA eligibility limits, a Backdoor Roth allows you to still take advantage of Roth benefits.

  3. Return to your workplace retirement plan (401(k)/403(b)). Contribute additional funds up to your 15% target.

    • Again, Roth contributions are preferred, with tax-deferred contributions used only in special circumstances.

  4. Taxable brokerage account. If, after maxing the above options, you haven’t reached your 15% target.

Portfolio Construction: Bucket Strategy

We align your investment allocation with your life through a disciplined Bucket Strategy, informed by your time horizon and risk tolerance:

  • Bucket 1 (Short-Term, 1 year): Cash and equivalents to cover the next 12 months of expenses.

  • Bucket 2 (Mid-Term, 2–5 or 2–9 years depending on risk tolerance): Bonds to fund intermediate needs.

  • Bucket 3 (Long-Term, 6–10+ years): Growth-oriented investments (equities and real estate) to outpace inflation and grow your portfolio.

Annual review and rebalancing:

  • Replenish short- and mid-term buckets by harvesting gains from long-term growth.

  • Calculate the Net Present Value (NPV) on mid-term cash flows to ensure a proper bond allocation.

  • Invest in low-cost, diversified index funds (Vanguard, iShares, SPDR, etc.) for market efficiency.

  • Apply tax-aware asset location and withdrawal sequencing to minimize tax drag and extend portfolio longevity.

This approach ensures near-term needs are secure, the long-term growth engine is strong, and your portfolio aligns with your life and risk tolerance.

Baby Step 5: Save for Children’s College

Education is a gift, but it can also be a financial burden if not planned for. At this stage, you’re already investing 15% for retirement — now you can add college savings without jeopardizing your own future.

  • Use tax-advantaged accounts like 529 plans.

  • Calculate Savings Needs

  • Allocate funds according to the same Bucket Strategy applied towards retirement investing.

Baby Step 6: Pay Off the Mortgage Early

Debt-free living is powerful. By paying off your home early, you remove your biggest monthly expense and gain enormous freedom.

  • Many clients underestimate the peace of mind this brings.

  • Once the house is paid for, cash flow opens up and risk drops dramatically.

Baby Step 7: Build Wealth and Give Generously

This is where life transformation happens — and where our planning software and tools shine. With no debt and no mortgage, you can build wealth at an accelerated pace and direct resources toward what matters most.

  • Live: Travel, pursue hobbies, fund experiences you once thought were out of reach.

  • Give: Charitable giving, family gifts, philanthropy — structured in ways that maximize both tax efficiency and impact.

  • Legacy Planning: Change your family tree! Define the story your money will tell after you’re gone. This includes estate planning, trusts, and intentional family conversations.

At this stage, you’re no longer asking “Do I have enough?” Instead, you’re asking, “How much good can I do with what I’ve built?”

Why the Blueprint Works

  • Simple, Sequential, Behavioral: You don’t skip ahead — you build a base first, then grow.

  • Evidence-Based: Indexing and the bucket strategy are backed by decades of research, not fads.

  • Personalized: The framework is fixed, but how it applies to you is unique.

Conclusion

The Incline Financial Planning Blueprint is not a get-rich-quick formula. It’s a proven, disciplined plan designed to help you avoid mistakes, build wealth with confidence, and ultimately live and give with purpose.

At Incline Financial Planning, this Blueprint is not theory — it’s the process we walk every client through, from their first $1,000 saved to the moment they realize they can change their family’s story for generations to come.