Gather financial information

• Cash savings (and approximate year-over-year changes, if any)
• Estimation of current spending habits
• Bank, brokerage, 401k/retirement plan, insurance policy statements
• Real estate holdings
• Social security benefit estimates
• Income: investment, pension, trust, rent, social security, etc.
• Inheritance considerations
• Debt payments, current balances and interest rates
• Trust benefits

For maximum time efficiency, this information can be provided before the first client meeting

Assess risk tolerance

• Risk tolerance questionnaire
• Discussion of investment experiences through varying market conditions

Establish goals and time horizons

• What do you want to accomplish with your money?
• Time until realization of each goal or financial commitment
• Prioritization of retirement goals
• Desired retirement age
• Desired future income
• Legacy—what to you want to leave behind, and to whom (people, charity, trusts)

Determine whether goals are within range of feasibility

• If so, move on to the next step
• If not, goals and risk need to be reconsidered

Next Step: Design and Implement a Strategy

DESIGN

Determine appropriate asset allocation*

• We will recommend for your approval a mix of stocks, fixed income, cash, and – in some  cases – alternative investments that matches your risk tolerance and that we believe affords you the best chance of meeting your goals
• Choose high quality investments within each asset class
• Ladder and diversify fixed income holdings; diversify stock investments; choose between individual holdings or funds

*Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against a loss

Commit to plan for systematic investment (pre-retirement) or distribution (retirement), if needed

• Pre-retirement: If goals require periodic investments, set up logistics for adding money to the portfolio
• Retirement: Agree on income plan: frequency, amount, and placement

Clearly communicate cost of plan implementation

there is no cost for the consultation process up to this point

IMPLEMENT

• Sign your Investment Policy Statement
• Fund the portfolio by transferring in assets and/or depositing cash

Alternative Investments involve substantial risks that may be greater than those associated with traditional investments and may be offered only to clients who meet specific suitability requirements, including minimum net worth tests. These risks include but are not limited to: limited or no liquidity, tax considerations, incentive fee structures, potentially speculative investment strategies, and different regulatory and reporting requirements. There is no assurance that any investment will meet its investment objectives or that substantial losses will be avoided.

Next Step: Manage

Our responsibility

• Review progress of individual portfolios
• Stay current with financial news and events, and financial analysis by Raymond James, Barclay’s, Credit Suisse,  and Standard and Poor’s
• Be available during stock and bond market trading hours for questions, concerns and trading
• Contact clients as news fundamentally affects holdings
• Suggest changes or complementary investments when appropriate

Client participation

• Agree on minimum number of systematic voice contacts
• Participate in reviews scheduled at your desired frequency to track the progress of your plan and adjust as needed
• Rebalance asset allocation when needed
• Adjust plan according to life changes

Client responsibility

• Inform us of fundamental changes in your financial situation
• Uphold your commitment to our financial plan

After significant changes in your financial situation, it is important to understand that we may need to begin the process anew.