Thomas Cook, CFP®, EA

Maximize life and minimize taxes in retirement.

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Retire To Tellico Thomas Cook, CFP®, EA
Knoxville, TN

Serving Clients Nationwide

Maximize life and minimize taxes in retirement.

Areas of Focus

  • Estate Planning
  • Financial Life Planning
  • Investment Management
  • Retirement Planning
  • Taxes

About Me

Thomas Cook is a CERTIFIED FINANICAL PLANNER™ and Enrolled Agent for the IRS. He is the founder of Retire To Tellico and the founder of Refine Your Plan, a financial education company. He is also a Personal Finance Lecturer at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville.

Thomas is on the Board of the Financial Planning Association of East Tennessee as the Director of Pro Bono Financial Planning and he is a volunteer tax preparer through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

He served a Christian mission in Colombia, South America for two years and is fluent in Spanish. He currently volunteers in the youth program of his church.

In his free time, he enjoys an active lifestyle with his family, strategy games, and pickleball. He is a proud sponsor of the Tellico Village Pickleball Club.

Professional Designations

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional
  • Enrolled Agent (EA)

Affiliations

  • Financial Planning Association
  • National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
  • XY Planning Network

Primary Location

Knoxville, TN 37932

Video

Meeting Options

  • Video Conference
  • In-Person
  • Phone
  • Online Courses

Compensation Methods

  • Fee Only
  • Flat Fee
  • One-time Financial Plan
  • Percentage of Assets Managed

What to expect in the first meeting

Click the 'Book Intro Call' button above to schedule a free introductory call. In our first meeting, we’ll identify your goals, priorities, preferences, and any obstacles you may have. We’ll also mutually establish what your expectations are for us, and if an ongoing partnership is the right fit. I look forward to speaking with you.

Offers Investment Management

Yes

About our Firm

In the complex world of finance, it’s easy to become fixated on immediate numbers and lose sight of the bigger picture: What are you working toward, and how can a financial plan help you get there?

We believe thoughtful, detailed planning can help you create a life that you enjoy. Our approach is centered around the idea that your “why” is just as important as the “how”. From our initial meeting, we want to know what truly matters to you. Once we’ve established your goals, we’ll develop a personalized financial plan designed to meet your needs, wants, and lifestyle.

Beyond your initial plan, we’re here to provide guidance for all aspects of your financial picture. By working together to improve your financial wellness, we aim to have a positive impact on you and your loved ones’ lives.

Our Guiding Values

While numbers are important in our planning to maximize your after-tax spendable dollar, we believe that financial planning is more than just numbers. It’s about helping you achieve your goals and dreams, while respecting your values and emotions. That’s why we are guided by three core values: curiosity, empathy, and transparency.

✔️ Curiosity

We are always learning and improving, striving to be the best, not the biggest. We keep up with the latest research and trends in financial planning, and we apply them to your unique situation. We are not afraid to challenge ourselves and explore new possibilities.

✔️ Empathy

We listen to understand, not to judge. We know that money is more than just a tool, it’s a reflection of your hopes, fears, and aspirations. We create a safe and supportive space for you to share your financial story, and we tailor our advice to your needs and preferences.

✔️ Transparency

We are educators, not salesmen. We are fee-only fiduciaries, which means we only work for you, not for any other party. We charge a flat fee for our services, so you know exactly what you’re paying and what you’re receiving. We explain our recommendations in clear and simple terms, and we welcome your questions and feedback.

Education

Utah Valley University, Personal Financial Planning | Brigham Young University, Pre-Manangement

Volunteer Experience

Director of Pro Bono Financial Planning for the Financial Planning Association of East TN.

Hobbies and Interests

  • Basketball
  • Board Games
  • Church
  • Family
  • Pickleball
  • Soccer
  • Volunteering

Who We Serve

  • Baby Boomers
  • Christians
  • Corporate Executives
  • Couples
  • Dual Income Family
  • Gen X
  • Gen Y / Millennials
  • Living in Retirement

To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn a nominal monthly fee from financial advisors and firms in exchange for marketing services (including being featured on this profile page), subject to terms of use. This compensation creates a natural conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others. Wealthtender is not a client of these advisors or firms. Testimonials may not be representative of other clients’ experiences and do not guarantee future performance or success.