Who do we serve?
Single, Divorced, or Widowed Women
Facing new financial decisions can be stressful and overwhelming. Let us help you make the best decisions with confidence.
Middle to Late Career Professionals
Not sure if you’re on track? Now is the time to find out. Unsure about possible strategies you should be considering? We can help you understand where you are and how to maximize your peak earning years to achieve the future you dream about.
Business Owners of 5+ Years
Juggling business ownership and your personal finances isn’t easy. We can help you stay on track in both areas.
What services do we provide?
Financial Outfitters
Years of experience have prepared us to guide you through your life transitions.
Securing Income for Life
Trust. Honesty. Integrity. We believe values matter, and we live by ours every day.
How are we different from others?
Are we a fiduciary?
Since our firm began our clients best interest has been the only interests of concern. Unfortunately, not all advisors put their client’s interests first and some pretend to be fiduciaries up front but behind the scenes after they have been hired they compare product recommendations by commission payouts rather than by which offer the greatest benefit to their client.
How do we get paid?
Other financial advisors carry high minimum asset levels designed to “weed-out” clients and families who they perceive to be less valuable to them. We are paid independently for the three services we provide. They are:
- Robust Guidance. We charge a flat fee for financial planning based on our clients household income. This is for ongoing financial guidance along the journey to your ultimate goal. Our flat fee compensates us for our time and commitment to unbiased financial planning advice and guidance. Other financial representatives will offer you a “free” financial plan in exchange for
- Your commitment to purchase products from them, and
- Referrals to all of your friends, family, and co-workers
- Financial Outfitting. We typically charge a fee for assets under our care which is an annual percentage of the assets entrusted to us. Some advisors are afraid or unwilling to discuss their fees and how much they will be paid for managing your investments.
- Seeking Income for Life. For your financial betterment, we may recommend product solutions that are commission based rather than charging a percentage fee. These solutions are typically insurance-based products with guaranteed lifetime income benefits that our financial planning calculations illustrate to a measurable improvement in the probability of your success in lieu of a fee-based investment solution. Others advisors have closed minded biases against commission based products because they are ignorant of the inner workings of these products so it’s easier for them to follow the “herd” rather than understand how to analyze where these products might be your best solution. Ultimately they are afraid that you will find them to be a phony through their lack of knowledge; in spite of glaring benefits these products may offer you. If we recommend a product to you, we believe in your intellectual ability to understand how it works and are dedicated to explaining the pros and cons until you feel equipped to make an informed decision. We are not afraid to talk about how we get paid on a product-by-product basis.
How will our relationship work?
How a good relationship should work; with mutual trust and respect. We strive to ascertain and understand our clients, their condition, and their heart’s desire. From that starting point, all of our interactions, guidance, and recommendations are given in the precise manner that we would deliver to ourselves in the same circumstances.
When you begin to work with us, we have designed a three meeting financial planning process. From beginning to end it takes us approximately six weeks to develop your financial plan in most cases. Financial plans are also revisited approximately every 18-36 months. Our investment management service has us reviewing your portfolio with you as frequent as quarterly but no less than annually.
What is your investment philosophy?
We believe in the tenants of Modern Portfolio Theory which is a practical method for selecting investments in order to maximize their overall returns within an acceptable level of risk. We will assess your unique disposition to investing and aim to align your portfolio such that you are fulfilled by your performance when markets are good while content and capable of staying the course during stormy markets. We understand that market volatility will come. When it does, we will continue to monitor and make modest adaptations to maximize returns and minimize portfolio risk. If you are within five years of retirement you will appreciate our segmented approach to your portfolio management that works to reduce the impact of down markets on your ability to safely draw a consistent income from their portfolio. For those in the five year retirement window, we believe in maximizing guaranteed income using all tools available in order to combat the 3 major retirement risks:
- Longevity risk- the risk of outliving one’s money
- Inflationary risk- the risk of rising prices affecting the purchasing power of assets and incomes, and
- Sequence of returns risk- the risk that the market delivers disadvantageous returns during the distribution (retirement) phase depleting unrecoverably the portfolio in the earliest years of this stage of life.
Other advisors have haphazard investment philosophies or none at all! They may dabble in several approaches or handle investments like a fishing exhibition to see what bait works on you.
At the end of 2018, I received a large check from a financial institution, and I was at a loss about what to do or what my options were in context. All I knew was that I wanted the money re-invested. I initially contacted Dan Grote, as well as two or three other financial advisors. Dan was the most timely in his response. Additionally, of all the financial advisors I talked to, Dan was the most skilled at breaking down complex ideas and turning them into simple explanations that were easy to make sense of. I think his ability to break down complex ideas is a testament to his extensive experience and high level of competence. Following my experience in this situation, I hired him as my financial advisor. We have been working together for about four years now, and the qualities that led me to hiring him in the first place have not changed since he acquired my business. He is knowledgeable and responsive, which builds in me a sense of confidence and trust in his abilities to manage my money. He clearly has high standards, which leaves an impression that my accounts matter to him just as much as the next guy’s accounts. I highly recommend Dan as a financial advisor. You will not be disappointed.
-Kristen C.
Scott (Cody) was recommended to me almost 20 years ago as I navigated purchasing service credit through PERA. Since then, he has guided us through the growth of our portfolio, retirement planning, and now - actual retirement! Scott is very intentional and thoughtful about addressing our specific needs, and manages to make the world of finance more comprehensible for us. As well, he is incredibly responsive, whether with a quick question or a more in-depth analysis.
- Amy B & Kris H.
Dan was recommended to me by my CPA about 6 years ago. To say I was leery was an understatement, as was my wife. Dan immediately made us feel comfortable and after some initial conversations and meetings we had full trust in him. He offered several options, that were helpful and helped us think through and plan for our future while keeping retirement in mind. He was extremely patient with all my questions and empathetic to our concerns including some unique ones we had.
We have been very pleased with the results thus far and feel completely comfortable with contacting Dan with any future questions or concerns.
Thank you, Dan, for making our decisions about retirement so much easier!!!
-Steven G.
My husband and I started working with Scott when our daughter was very young in order to prepare for the expense of college, a wedding, etc. Scott is incredibly patient and attentive. He explains investment options and trends in plain English so that you feel supported instead of stupid. We highly recommend Scott Cody for investment advice and planning.
- Courtney C.
Working with Scott has been invaluable as we started our business and our personal needs, as well as the needs that my husband and I had as we started our family. He has been so attentive and responsive and has made financial decisions so easy and personal. We are so thankful for our relationship with Scott.
- Rachel C.
I've been working with Scott for over the past five years. I trust him to invest my money because he understands the latest market analysis. We get together on a quarterly basis just to review and go over any concerns or updates to the ever changing market. I actually ask for advice on other investments (house) since I have confidence in his opinion. Scott has been great and look forward to working with him in the future!
- Jenn D.