“If your investment strategy is out of sync with your personality, it won’t work for you no matter how well it worked for someone else.” - Unknown

I don’t remember where I read or heard that nor do I remember who said it but I wrote it down several years ago because I thought it was so spot-on. Personal finance should be just that. Personal.

Often times investors are sold products by sales reps disguised as Financial Advisors working in big banks and brokerage firms. They don’t get a portfolio, advice, recommendations and service that is tailored to their unique situation. They get whatever the bank or the brokerage firm wants to sell them.

Our recommendations take into consideration your current financial situation, what you want your future situation to look like, your past financial experiences – both good and bad, as well as your age, risk tolerance, time horizon and investment goals or objectives and what’s most important to you. If the investments you own in your IRA, 401(k) or brokerage account aren’t in-line with these things, it’s not going to work.

We believe in diversification. Not only amongst the types of investments you own but the types of accounts in which you own them. For example, some investments are better off owned inside an IRA than others.

Every investment decision is mindful of costs and taxes. Unnecessary costs, taxes and penalties can be a greater burden on your financial future than the ups and downs of the market.

We use data to help us make investment decisions. We don’t ignore history and we avoid speculation. We don’t try to predict the future. Research has shown that “expert” predictions tend to produce worse results than random chance.

Finally, we don’t try to time the market. More money has been lost by jumping in and out of the markets based on biases and emotions than by owning a diversified and professionally managed portfolio for the long haul.

The greatest thing about being an independent Financial Advisor is that I’m not a corporate employee. It’s my name on the business. I am personally responsible for your experience and my only agenda is long term relationships and happy clients.

Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not assure profit or protect against loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk. Investors should be prepared to bear loss, including loss of principal.