
It Starts with a Plan
Welcome, I’m Michael Bishop, a financial consultant in Murrieta, California. I understand that individuals face unique challenges as they prepare for retirement and look to succeed with their financial goals. With a carefully thought-out plan, I aim to prepare you for today and tomorrow. Whether your goal is saving for retirement, college savings, or estate strategy, my personalized service focuses on your needs, wants, and financial goals and objectives.
For over 25 years I've been advising families, individuals, and businesses and can help you address your needs and goals through all stages of your life.
Helpful Content

Term vs. Permanent Life Insurance
When considering life insurance, it's important to understand your options.

Replacing Your Medicare Card
Learn how to replace your lost, stolen, or damaged Medicare card in this helpful article.

Medicare Advantage Plans (Medicare Part C)
Medicare Part C allows you to choose a Medicare Advantage plan. This article will help you decide if it's right for you.
Spend Mindfully by Adopting a Saver’s Mentality
As we have all been forced to change our behaviors and depart from our “normal” routines, it is no wonder that our spending behaviors have changed too.
Go Back to School with As Little Debt As Possible
Are you feeling ready to expand your career? Or maybe switch careers altogether? After you’ve been in the working world a while, it’s common to want more from your professional life. A lot of people turn to graduate school to get there, but sometimes this plan is accompanied by a four-letter word: debt.
The Cost of Procrastination
Don't let procrastination keep you from pursuing your financial dreams and goals.
Think of Retirement in Terms of Monthly Income
When you think of planning for retirement, like most individuals, you probably visualize a number. The reality is that most individuals think in terms of an account balance at retirement.
What Generation Z Employees Really Want
Bean-bag chairs, foosball tables, pizza Fridays, and work-where-you-want schedules became the business norm over the past...
Budgeting After a Divorce
Divorce is the second most stressful time in a person's life. Here's some tips to get through it.
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Social Security Taxes
Estimate how much of your Social Security benefit may be considered taxable.
Federal Income Tax
Use this calculator to estimate your income tax liability along with average and marginal tax rates.
What's My Potential Estate Tax?
This calculator helps estimate your federal estate tax liability.
Home Mortgage Deduction
Use this calculator to assess the potential benefits of a home mortgage deduction.
Tax Freedom Day
Assess how many days you'll work to pay your federal tax liability.
Lifetime of Earnings
Estimate how much you have the potential to earn during your working years.
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Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies
The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.
Your Cash Flow Statement
A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
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Retirement and Quality of Life
Asking the right questions about how you can save money for retirement without sacrificing your quality of life.
Encore Careers: Push Your Boundaries
Ready for retirement? Find out why many are considering encore careers and push your boundaries into something more, here.
The Long Run: Women and Retirement
For women, retirement strategy is a long race. It’s helpful to know the route.
Making Your Tax Bracket Work
Have you explored all your options when it comes to managing your taxable income?
Video: The Independence of Financial and Emotional
Greater financial and emotional confidence brings greater independence. Isn’t that what it’s all about?
Surprise! You’ve Got Money!
Here’s a quick guide to checking to see if you have unclaimed money.