Vision – Mission – Values
To become the best full service Independent Financial Planning practice in those communities we choose to serve, bound by a code of professional ethics that guides us in providing financial advice, with uncompromising standards in integrity, morality, and competence.
Educate, motivate, and empower our clients with a sense of control that comes from knowledge and financial literacy.
Ultimately, to help our clients reach a state of being independent and autonomous with the freedom to do what they want, when they want, how they want.
We are dedicated to raising the standards of financial planning and raising consumer awareness of the value of financial planning services. We continually seek to improve our professional competence through continuing education, and professional development.
We will attract, retain, and associate with high performing competent people and partners in all areas of our business.
We will build strong interpersonal relationships by maintaining a client centered focus. We will leverage our strength as independent practitioners to offer services and products of the highest quality to meet the specific needs of our clients.
We will comply with all relevant laws, regulations and standards of government or other professional bodies. We will contribute to the communities in which we operate and address social issues responsibly.
This means providing personal attention. Listening to your concerns and providing a sounding board for your ideas. As educator and coach, we help provide the discipline you’ll need to achieve your goals by keeping you focused.
While everyone’s plan is unique, a financial plan should address four basic elements: Your financial goals and priorities, how much wealth you have now, your current saving and spending patterns, and a saving and investment strategy that will allow you to reach your goals within your risk tolerance.
We strive to serve as our clients’ chief financial advisor. As part of this role, we coordinate the activities of existing professional advisors such as tax accountants, and estate lawyers. The result being a better integration of the various elements in the financial planning process. I.e., risk management, taxation, estate planning etc…
You are paying us to share our expertise, help you develop your financial plan, provide you with regular updates, keep you informed about investment and other planning opportunities, and provide referrals to other experts as needed. What we expect from you is full and honest disclosure, a commitment to achieving your goals, be clear about the degree of risk you are willing to take and keeping us informed when your financial circumstances change.
Risk has changed, because life has changed. People are looking at upwards of 30 years of retirement. In 30 years, assuming the annual inflation rate averages 3%, it will take $243 to buy what $100 will buy in current dollars. So, the risk isn’t loss of principal, it’s the erosion of your purchasing power while you’re still alive.
If risk is the unyielding grinding down of purchasing power over time, safety can only be the building up of purchasing power. We define accretion of purchasing power as a positive return from our investments, net of inflation and taxes.
The more “knowledge” you have, the more you try to outsmart the market, and the worse you do. The more you see the market as long-term inevitable versus short-term unknowable, the more you will appreciate the benefits of dollar cost averaging.
We have noticed that we have no ability whatever to time the markets. Still, we have found a way to manage the risk of missing the next 100% uptick down to zero. It’s called staying fully invested all the time.
In the end, which investments people buy is less important. The thing that matters most is what people do or, with the proper advice don’t do when those investments are down 10% – 20% in the short term, which they will one day could be.
