Today, the vast majority of people are troubled and confused about the economy. They have been bombarded by the media, bullied by sales people, and bewildered by the millions of things they feel they need to know. Over the past eight years, they have seen all the financial lessons they learned in the 1980s, 1990s and even recently, fail them. To manage your money and financial picture wisely means being knowledgeable about your options, and making informed choices. I believe my job is to educate my clients so that they can take charge of their financial lives. We have been trained by the media and large investment companies to chase rate of return and to be reactive. I teach my clients how strategy, knowing demographics and being proactive with their money can lead to a lifetime of financial freedom. Your tax and financial strategy need to be integrated: as you plan to build wealth, you also make deliberate moves to retain it in the same smart process. Both goals should be part of any coherent financial strategy, especially if you have sizable accumulated wealth and an estate to protect.