FAQs

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.

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:

1. 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 independent 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
2. 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.
3. 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 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.

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:

1. Longevity risk- the risk of outliving one’s money
2. Inflationary risk- the risk of rising prices affecting the purchasing power of assets and incomes, and
3. 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.