Independent
- We have the freedom to use any third-party custodian: We are sure to meet your financial partnership expectations in our choosing to work with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. for their technology, service, and low costs.
- We can purchase any security available in the marketplace: There are no proprietary funds we are required to purchase for you. For example, some competitors have their own lower performing, higher cost securities their broker-dealer forces them to use in their client portfolios.
We are a Fiduciary
- We place your interests ahead of our own. As a fiduciary we have a legal and ethical duty to act in your best interest.
- This means that we place your interests ahead of ours so that there are no conflicts of interest (not all advisors are fiduciaries and those who are not fiduciaries are held to lower standards).
We Eat Our Own Cooking
- You will find the same securities we recommend for you in our own personal portfolios.
- This means that you can be confident in our guidance in that we would not ask you to invest in a security that we do not own ourselves.
Fee-Only
- With our fee based on the client’s assets under management, the more we save you in mutual fund and ETF expense ratios the more we make over the long run. We step in your shoes: If you do well, we do well.
- We believe this is the most transparent and objective method of fee payment available.
- We receive no commissions, kickbacks, or other forms of compensation other than the fee that is detailed on our quarterly management fee statement.
- This means we will do our best work for you based on your needs and objectives – not on how we are compensated. Our focus is your financial success. We are paid based on assets under management and the help we provide you – not on the financial products that are bought and sold.
We are the “Quarterback” for your financial plan.
- We coordinate your financial goals with your other advisors, attorneys, and accountants so that we are all on the same page.
- This means that your financial plan will have been vetted by those you trust most so nothing is missed.