• What is a Registered Investment Advisor?

    An investment advisor is a fiduciary that puts the client’s interest first and deals fairly and honestly with them. A Registered Investment Advisor is a financial planning firm that is registered with either the state or the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC).  Firms who manage or have discretionary authority over client’s funds in excess of $100,000,000 are subject to registration with the SEC.

  • What is a Fiduciary?

    A fiduciary is a professional who is obligated to put clients’ interests ahead of their own. For a financial advisor, abiding by a fiduciary standard means offering financial advice based on what’s best for the client.

  • What is the difference between Fee-Only versus Fee-Based compensation?

    Fee-only means the fees that we receive for financial planning and portfolio management come directly from our clients. We do not sell any insurance or investment products and do not receive any commissions or accept any referral fees. With respect to you, the client, the Fee-Only financial advisor wears a single hat, that of the trusted advisor without the motivation or incentive of selling any other products. 

    A Fee-Based advisor may receive fees from clients for financial planning or investment management as well as commissions from the sale of insurance or investment products.

  • What is the fee for Wealth Advisory Services?

    Our standard annual fee is calculated on the market value of your Assets Under Management (AUM) based on the following schedule:

    Managed Assets (AUM)

    Annual Fee*

    From $ 0 to $2,000,000

    1.0%  of Portfolio Value

    Over $2,000,000

    $20,000 + 0.5% of Portfolio Value over $2,000,000

     

     *  $10,000 Annual Fee Minimum
    For example, the annual fee for $2,500,000 in AUM will be $22,500 ($5,625 per quarter) or 0.90% of your AUM. Our fee is based on the AUM balance at the start of the quarter; initial fees for partial quarters are prorated. Wealth Advisory Service fees are billed quarterly in advance and are non-negotiable.

  • How often would we meet?

    In year one, the initial financial plan and portfolio construction is generally completed with 4 or 5 meetings.  In year two and beyond, ongoing maintenance is generally completed with 2 scheduled meetings—a financial planning meeting and a portfolio review meeting. In addition, we are always available for life’s financial questions that come up between regularly scheduled meetings.

    If preferred or applicable, all meetings can be held virtually.

  • What is your approach to investing?

    We begin by constructing an asset allocation target that is specific to your risk tolerance, objectives and investment time horizon.  Our portfolios are primarily composed of passively managed mutual funds to provide the long-term benefits of diversification while keeping expenses low.

    We utilize broadly diversified, low-cost, no-load mutual funds, and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), for the equity (stock) positions of your portfolio.   We use cash, bond funds, and bond ETFs, for the fixed income positions. When appropriate, we also utilize diversifiers such as REITs, natural resources, and commodity funds.

  • What is Financial Life Planning?

    Financial life planning is a holistic process that focuses on increasing your sense of financial well-being and life satisfaction.  It is a process where we broaden our conversations from asset management to life management.  

  • How do you work with clients?

    We provide ongoing financial life planning and portfolio management with our Wealth Advisory Services. 

    In year one we create your initial financial plan and construct a portfolio to support your plan and life goals.  We provide assistance with plan implementation and manage any portfolio distribution needs.

    In year two and beyond we update planning areas and track goal progress.  Your portfolio is reviewed for rebalancing and efficient tax management.