What Makes Your Investment Approach Different?
Investment approaches and philosophies described represent our professional opinions based on research and experience. These are not guarantees of results. Different investment philosophies may be appropriate for different investors.
Our investment approach emphasizes:
Research-Based Strategies
We base our approach on financial research and academic principles rather than market predictions or speculation.
Cost-Conscious Implementation
We typically use index funds and ETFs with low expense ratios, generally 0.03%–0.33%, compared to higher costs often associated with actively managed alternatives.
Fee-Only Structure
We do not receive commissions from product sales, which we believe may reduce certain potential conflicts of interest.
Tax-Aware Strategies
Tax-aware strategies are designed to potentially improve after-tax returns but cannot guarantee tax savings or enhanced performance. Actual tax benefits depend on individual circumstances, tax brackets, market conditions, and other factors. Tax-loss harvesting and other strategies have limitations and may not be beneficial in all situations.
Personalized Portfolios
We design portfolios based on individual goals, timelines, and risk tolerance rather than using one-size-fits-all solutions.
Disciplined Approach
We employ systematic rebalancing and provide guidance to help clients maintain their long-term investment strategy during periods of market volatility.
We seek to help clients capture market returns efficiently while managing risk and minimizing costs and taxes. However, we do not guarantee results or claim to outperform market indices.
What's the Minimum Account Size You Accept?
Our typical account minimum is $1,000,000 in investable assets. We may make exceptions based on individual circumstances, including complex planning needs, strong savings trajectory, or other factors.
Please contact us to discuss whether our services are appropriate for your situation.
Our advisory fees are based on assets under management and are detailed in our Form ADV Part 2A. Total costs include both our advisory fee and underlying fund expenses.
Exceptions We May Make:
- Younger professionals with strong income and savings trajectories
- Recent inheritors looking to establish an advisory relationship
- Existing clients experiencing temporary portfolio reductions
- Complex situations where we believe we can add significant value
Alternative for Smaller Accounts
For accounts under our minimum, we can sometimes provide initial financial planning and investment guidance for a project fee and transition to ongoing management as assets grow.
How Do You Handle Market Downturns?
Market volatility is a normal part of investing. Our approach is designed to help clients navigate downturns.
Portfolio Preparation
- Asset allocation tailored to each client’s risk tolerance and timeline
- Cash reserves for clients with near-term liquidity needs
- Diversified portfolios designed to manage certain types of risk*
During Market Declines
- Perspective and context regarding market cycles
- Rebalancing opportunities when appropriate**
- Tax-loss harvesting opportunities when applicable***
- Communication and guidance to reinforce long-term strategy
After Market Declines
- Portfolio review to ensure strategy remains appropriate
- Evaluation of potential adjustments
- Continued focus on a disciplined long-term approach
Important Perspective
We seek to help clients avoid reactive decisions during volatility. Selling during market declines can lock in losses and cause investors to miss subsequent recoveries. However, no strategy can guarantee protection against market losses.
Do You Beat the Market?
Our goal is to provide appropriate investment returns for your risk level and timeline—not necessarily to beat market indexes.
Consistently beating the market is extremely difficult, and strategies designed to do so often involve higher costs and greater risk. We focus on helping clients pursue their long-term financial goals through disciplined investment management and comprehensive planning.
What Happens If There's a Market Crash Early in My Retirement?
Market downturns early in retirement can be particularly challenging, but proper planning is designed to address this risk.
Our Approach
Cash Reserves
Maintaining one to three years of expenses in liquid reserves can help avoid selling stocks at depressed prices.
Flexible Spending
Temporary spending reductions during severe downturns may improve long-term outcomes.
Portfolio Rebalancing
Market declines can create opportunities to rebalance strategically.
Maintain Perspective
Selling investments during market declines can result in permanent losses by locking in those losses and potentially missing future recoveries. There may be valid reasons to make portfolio adjustments, but decisions should be disciplined and strategic rather than emotional.
Historical Context
Historically, markets have recovered from downturns, although recovery periods have varied significantly. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and there is no certainty that markets will recover within any specific timeframe.
What If I Have a Concentrated Position in a Single Stock?
Concentrated positions—such as a large holding in employer stock—can create significant risk because they reduce diversification.
Diversifying concentrated positions often involves:
- Tax considerations
- Emotional attachments
- Liquidity concerns
- Timing decisions
We can help analyze your situation and evaluate potential strategies to manage concentration risk. Any strategy involves trade-offs between risk reduction, tax consequences, and other planning objectives.
Do You Use Alternative Investments Like Hedge Funds, Private Equity, or Commodities?
We typically focus on traditional asset classes such as:
- Stocks
- Bonds
- Cash
These are generally implemented using low-cost index funds and ETFs.
Alternative investments may provide diversification benefits but often involve:
- Higher fees and costs
- Reduced liquidity
- Greater complexity
- Limited transparency
- Higher investment minimums
We evaluate alternative investments on a case-by-case basis when they may be appropriate for a client’s circumstances.
Important Disclosure:
The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or an offer of advisory services. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
For personalized investment advice specific to your situation, please schedule a consultation with one of our advisors. Investment advisory services are provided only to clients with whom we have an advisory agreement.
We are a fee-only fiduciary financial advisors here to help Ohio families approaching and in retirement navigate complex decisions. We bring specialized expertise in retirement income planning, tax strategy, and wealth preservation.
More Frequently Asked Questions
Legacy Planning
Beneficiary Reviews
Trust Coordination
Estate Documents
Wealth Transfer
Family Protection
Estate Strategies
Insurance Reviews
Life Insurance
Long-Term Care
Disability Coverage
Risk Protection
Coverage Analysis
Policy Coordination
Claiming Strategies
Benefit Optimization
Spousal Benefits
Survivor Planning
Delayed Benefits
Social Security Taxes
Retirement Timing