With over 40 years of industry experience, Steve Mayer takes the complicated subject of financial planning and explains it in an easy to read format that all ages and levels of income can relate to . Using metaphors for your asset groups (the buckets), your advisors (the shovels), your life (the beach) and your financial plan (the map), Steve walks you through the process of planning and the things you should be thinking about in order to achieve your financial goals, not just for your retirement, but to meet you and your families goals in life . As illustrated in the book, Steve uses his personal story to describe using 5 Buckets, 4 Shovels, a Beach and a Map as his own financial planning strategy. As his assets and family grew, filling the right buckets and having the right shovels in place became increasingly important . In the book, Steve explains how even buying life insurance for his children at a young age helped bridge the gaps and became a planning tool for future, unforeseen expenses . 5 Buckets, 4 Shovels, a Beach and a Map will easily become your go-to reference book for financial planning. Many of SD Mayer & Associates clients have used this approach to successfully create a financial plan that considers their investment, insurance, retirement and other assets so that they are protected now and into the future. All proceeds from the sale of this book will fund financial literacy for high school and college age students. A student version of the book is being created to provide free of charge to these groups.