1. How do we get started? Contact one of our local offices to schedule a 'no cost' consultation or informal meeting and ask us to send you our "Client Information" packet.
   
2. Who is your typical client? Our typical client is an individual who cares about their financial future and is looking for a long-term relationship with a financial professional.
   
3. What types of people do you work with? We work with individuals, businesses, and organizations of all types. Our main criteria are:
   
   1. That they are serious about improving their financial situation.
   2. That we work together well and that the chemistry is right.
      
4. Do you have dollar minimums? For fee-based accounts, there is a $100,000 minimum. For all other accounts, or in certain other circumstances, where appropriate, we will work on a commission basis.
   
5. Do you offer online account access? Yes, through this website, my clients can access their accounts on a daily basis to monitor their investments.
   
6. Why should I work with someone else to do my strategizing? Why do it yourself? Successful people hire the best professionals. Even Tiger Woods has a coach. Most successful people do not have time to do their own planning because they are too busy becoming better at what they do. They do not have enough time to become experts in asset management, retirement, estate, and insurance planning. That's why most successful people work with a team of professionals who are specialists. Our role is that of primary consultant to work with you to develop an overall game plan and to work with a team of specialists and your other advisors to implement your program.
   
7. What is an independent financial consultant? An independent financial consultant is a person who represents many investment and insurance companies and is not affiliated with a proprietary company. It is someone who offers access to a variety of products and services through his or her broker/dealer. An independent consultant is not limited to just one line of investments or insurance products, providing our clients with more objectivity, choice, and flexibility.
   
8. How do you get paid? Primarily, through asset management fees. In other words, we are paid a percentage based on the dollars invested in a client's account. Secondly, we also receive commissions from product sales.
   
9. What does it cost to meet with you? Nothing.
   
10. Do you put clients in model portfolios? We can, but we prefer to build portfolios to fit each person's unique needs and concerns. We have no bias for or against mutual funds as compared to individual securities, stocks, or bonds because we think it depends upon the preferences of the client.
    
11. How much should I invest long term? You shouldn't invest any more than you can afford to forgo without significantly changing your lifestyle. Long-term investments can go down as well as up, particularly in the short term.
    
12. What is the best investment? Is it the one that has the highest return for the year? No, the best investment is the one that provides the most money at a time when you need it the most.