Our Philosophy

Our team implements a clear and concise investment philosophy. We choose to filter out the everyday noise that surrounds us in the media and elsewhere.  In other words, we believe as trusted advisors in an uncertain world, we should simply focus on the things that we can control.

Below are just a few of the steps in our financial planning process:

• Understanding your personal situation in great detail
• Understanding the impact of a variety of economic scenarios on that same personal situation
• Focusing on those investments that produce cash flow (through dividends and interest) to assist with your potential income needs as well as to enhance investment return predictability
• Removing unnecessary fees from the investment implementation process while keeping the remainder reasonable and transparent
• Being candid and direct, always and without exception

Have you ever turned on a financial news channel on any given day and found two apparently equally intelligent individuals with completely opposing views on the exact same issue? The direction of interest rates, the movement of the equity markets, or the long term outlook on the U.S. dollar are just a few of the topics that frequently result in a spirited debate. At the end of these debates, do we really get any closer to knowing what is going to happen tomorrow?  Of course not.  We believe that too many advisors allow their view (or someone else's view to which they subscribe) of what is going to happen drive their entire planning process. That means that the success of their advice is measured by how economic events play out in the future.  This, we believe, is similar to predicting the weather or some other fruitless exercise.  With that said, we do believe there is room for a strong opinion about the direction of elements of the economy as well as merit to being nimble and tactical.  However, it must be in the context of a solid plan with enough risk controls in place to manage the unforeseen.

We also believe it is extremely important to thoroughly understand current issues going on within the economy and markets. We would contend, however, that this understanding's true value is best realized in the context of an individual's own financial situation. Why? Because only in that context can one understand the true risk implications of one macroeconomic scenario versus another. It is not about what is going to happen, it is about understanding all the "what ifs" and being prepared for those scenarios. "Stress testing" your plan properly requires years of expertise. For example, we may not know for sure whether inflation or deflation is coming in the years ahead but you can be sure that we will make it our mission to understand the investment implications of each economic scenario and what it means to you. 

Providing superior investment advice is a delicate balancing act and is extremely personal. It also requires a meaningful investment of time. This is what we deliver to our clients.