SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 12
Download to read offline
The UnCommon Sense Guide to
Managing Your Wealth
Six Keys to Financial Wellness
UnCommon Direction




Letter from Mentor Wealth Management, LLC
With uncertain markets and a volatile economy, investors are increasingly aware that achieving their goals
may not be as simple as they once imagined. Many investors, like you, want to learn more about their
options and how they may increase the likelihood that they will be able to attain their valued goals in the
coming years. Our goal in writing The Uncommon Sense Guide to Managing Your Wealth is to help you, the
investor, understand your options and make smart decisions about your choice of advisor, investments, and
ultimately your financial future.

So, what are investors looking for? Quite simply, astute investors want a relationship with a trusted advisor,
comprehensive advice, reasonable fees, and peace of mind.

                  Unfortunately, what investors want is UnCommon in the marketplace today.

The Uncommon Sense Guide to Managing Your Wealth challenges the traditional investment approaches
that are failing most investors today and offers UnCommon solutions in six key areas that can help
maximize the likelihood of achieving all that is important to you.

Six Keys to Financial Wellness:

             1.    The UnCommon Advisory Firm
             2.    An UnCommon Team of Experts
             3.    UnCommon Advice
             4.    An UnCommon Approach to Risk
             5.    UnCommon Costs Matter
             6.    An UnCommon Investment Philosophy

Mentor Wealth Management is pleased to present you with The Uncommon Sense Guide to Managing Your
Wealth. We hope that it will provide a framework for an intelligent approach to see beyond the common
options that exist today and lay the ground work necessary for you to build a successful strategy to achieve
your most valued goals.

Sincerely,

The Mentor Wealth Management Team




                                                                                                                 2




                                         Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
Table of Contents


Six Keys to Financial Wellness

Key #1 - The UnCommon Advisory Firm                                               4

Key #2 – An UnCommon Team of Experts                                              5

Key #3 – UnCommon Advice                                                          6

Key #4 - An UnCommon Approach to Risk                                             7

Key #5 - UnCommon Costs Matter                                                    8

Key #6 - An UnCommon Investment Philosophy                                        9

Your Next Steps                                                                  10

About Mentor Wealth Management, LLC                                              11

Endnotes                                                                         11




                                                                                           3




                                 Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
UnCommon Sense: “Work with a Registered
                                               Investment Advisor”



Key #1 - The UnCommon Advisory Firm
When searching for a trusted advisor, a great starting point is to evaluate an advisor’s choice of
employment. The most common employer is a brokerage firm. Advisors employed at a brokerage firm
are known as “registered representatives.” There are more than 700,000 registered reps working for
brokerage firms in the U.S and they are treated under the law as salespeople.

Registered representatives operate under a 1934 law (the Securities Exchange Act) that loosely binds them
to ensure only that the products they sell are "suitable" for their clients. But, like a real estate agent, once
the sale is done and the commission is collected, their legal obligation ends. So while they may present
themselves as advisors who will stick with you over the years, they are under no legal obligation to do so –
and have no legal liability if they do not.

Registered representatives are compensated by their firm based on the amount of product they sell. A key
point here for the investor is that the objectivity of the advice is always in question due to the product
driven compensation a registered representative receives.

The UnCommon alternative to the product driven sales culture of a brokerage firm is a Registered
Investment Adviser. Advisors employed by a Registered Invesment Adviser are known as Investment
Advisory Representatives. There are approximately, 19,000 Registered Investment Advisers in the US and
they are required by a 1940 law (the Investment Advisers Act) to act as “fiduciaries”, compelling them to
put the interests of clients before their own.

Investment Advisers are compensated directly by their clients based on an agreed upon fee schedule for
advice and services. Fee-only investment advisors are often perceived to have greater alignment with the
interests of their clients because they have no financial incentive to recommend one particular product over
another. By removing the product sales focus, the investment adviser can provide advice and recommend
investments to an investor with an objective view that is free of conflicts of interest.




         Registered Representative                                   Investment Adviser
                   • Suitability                                          • Fiduciary
           • No Ongoing Duty of Care                                 • Ongoing Duty of Care
                • Product Driven                                        • Advice Driven
              • Conflicts of Interest                               • No Conflicts of Interest



                                                                                                                   4




                                        Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
UnCommon Sense: “Work with a Well
                                                  Orchestrated Team of Experts”



Key #2 – An UnCommon Team of Experts
A major factor to consider in choosing the right advisor is the depth of knowledge, expertise, and
experience an advisor offers clients. A comprehensive wealth plan or “Master Plan” requires not only that
attention be given to such diverse issues as tax strategies, regulatory issues, investments and in-depth
financial planning but also that these factors are addressed together in the context of the client’s goals.
Most often, however, the advice offered to clients comes from the advisor acting as an investment
generalist. This advisor will focus on one area, typically the “right” investments for your portfolio to “beat
the market”, and may provide basic financial planning that leads to a portfolio solution.

The reality is that the complexity of a comprehensive Master Plan and the demands of our constantly
changing marketplace require more than a generalist to handle. No single advisor can be an expert in all
areas of wealth management. In order to provide the level of service, perspective and depth of advice
that most investors want and need, an individual advisor or investment generalist may not be the best path.

               “Your wealth is too important to risk in the hands of a generalist.”

UnCommon Sense supports the team of experts approach. Your team should be made up of experts
including a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Analyst, Trust & Estate Attorney, CPA, and an
Insurance Specialist. Importantly, one of these experts should also act as your Personal CFO, a trusted
advocate whose role is to coordinate this team of experts and integrate their strategies with your Master
Plan in mind. With a diverse group of specialists working together for you, with guidance from your
Personal CFO, your entire financial picture is put into perspective and custom solutions can be
tailored and implemented to help you reach your goals.

Some investors may have a few of these team members already in place. Most likely these professionals are
working at different firms and independently providing advice on their specific area of expertise. We view
that type of fragmented approach like an orchestra without a conductor; all the musicians are skillfully
playing their instruments but some are out of time and others are reading an entirely different sheet of
music. The Personal CFO, or conductor, is essential to coordinate your team of experts and integrate their
strategies with your specific sheet of music in mind, your goals and Master Plan.


                                                   Trust &
                                                   Estate
                                                  Attorney
                                Portfolio
                                                                 Accountant
                                Specialist



                          Financial              Personal                Insurance                               5
                          Planner                  CFO                   Specialist




                                        Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
“UnCommon Advice - It’s a process, not a
                                                product.”



Key #3 - UnCommon Advice
A buzzword in the financial industry today is “wealth management”. Many financial firms say they offer
wealth management, but few can clearly provide an explanation as to what “wealth management” really is.
In most cases, “wealth management” is simply a marketing phrase used to give the appearance that
the advice will be more than just investment related. Unfortunately, the common approach is just that -
investment or product-driven “advice” from start to finish.

 Some advisors will ask about your goals and maybe even create a financial plan to help address your
questions, but it all ends at the same place – the investments they recommend you buy and sell. The review
meetings that follow all tend to have the same theme as well, review the portfolio and determine what
investments did well and which did not. In the common approach, your portfolio is the focus and
your financial plan is irrelevant.



                            Common Advice                     UnCommon Advice
                               Process                            Process

                            Current Portfolio                 Your Goals & Master
                                Review                               Plan

                           Recommend New
                                                             Goals -Based Investing
                               Portfolio

                        Review New Portfolio's                Review Master Plan
                             Performance                           Progress


UnCommon Sense has a very specific definition of wealth management: Wealth Management is the
objective integration of advanced planning and investment counsel, orchestrated by a dedicated Personal
CFO. It’s a process, not a product.

True wealth management – an UnCommon approach – begins with a Master Plan tailored around client
goals. The plan is further developed to integrate the many aspects of managing and investing your wealth:
its protection, enhancement, and planning for potential transfer to future generations and charitable
organizations.

Your Master Plan becomes the focus of continuous and prudent management by your team of experts. All
of the components come together for you as you plot your course, assess your progress and make changes
                                                                                                             6
as life’s uncertainties present themselves.




                                      Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
UnCommon Investing: “A prudent,
                                                                Sense: “Understand Your
                                                   strategic Avoid the Behavior Gap™” mar
                                                   Risk and approach that applies to all



Key #4 – An UnCommon Approach to Risk
An important part of an advisor’s and client’s investment philosophy deals with how risk is handled in a
client’s plan and portfolio. Regardless of the approach you take to investing, risk is a constant factor. We
recognize that without risk there is no reward. However, the amount of risk you take is a preference and
needs to be framed within the context of your life to properly balance your desired reward level with the
associated risk. Despite this fact, most individuals take investment risk without understanding if it is too
little or too much for their situation, which can lead to devastating financial and emotional results.

From 1990 through 2009, stocks returned an average of 8.20% annually. During this same time period, the
average mutual fund investor experienced a return of only 2.3% annually. Carl Richards, a financial planner
from Park City, Utah coined the phrase “Behavior Gap™” as an explanation of this large difference in
returns. Basically, poor investor behavior driven by the emotions of fear and greed led investors to
make poor choices in managing their wealth. This Behavior Gap™ is especially common when both
advisors and investors focus primarily on chasing portfolio returns without any means of gauging the
potential risks.




This is not a new phenomenon. As long as markets have been around, investors have fallen victim to being
too aggressive or too risk averse. The UnCommon approach is to identify the minimum risk, or
strategic risk, necessary to achieve your Master Plan’s goals and position your portfolio accordingly to
capture the desired level of return through efficient, broadly diversified participation in capital markets
instead of relying on forecasts and speculation. With this fresh goals-based perspective, investors are able to   7
see wealth management in a new light and evaluate what risk/return means to them in a rational,
structured way that helps them steer clear of unnecessary risk taking and the emotional mistakes of the
past.


                                        Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
UnCommon Sense: “Costs Matter and Low
                                                  Fees Add Value”



Key# 5 – UnCommon Costs Matter
One area where investors are often under-informed is in understanding the full range of costs for the
financial and investment advice they receive and implement. There are four areas that determine an
investor’s true cost of investing; Advisory Fees, Portfolio Expense Ratio, Trading Costs, and Taxes.

These four costs all must be paid before the investor sees any gains on an investment.

  1. Advisory Fees: One of the primary costs is the fee charged by an advisor. Many advisors charge a fee
     based on the total assets they manage for you while others charge a flat fee for financial planning or a
     combination of asset based and flat fees for their services.

        Assuming a $250,000 account the standard advisory fee range is between 1.00% -1.50%1.
 2. Portfolio Expense Ratio: Your advisor, as a part of the services provided to you, will usually
    recommend certain investments for your portfolio. Mutual funds and exchange traded funds you own
    will charge a fee called an expense ratio which is assessed annually against the account of each
    investor in the fund. This fee is used to pay for fixed operating costs which include items such as the
    salaries of the fund employees, marketing expenses, and administrative overhead.

                The average mutual fund expense ratio according to Morningstar is 1.32%2.

  3. Trading Costs: In addition to the expense ratio charged by funds to help cover their fixed costs, there
     are additional charges to cover variable costs incurred by the funds. These variable expenses include
     items like the trading costs when the mutual fund purchases or sells securities held by the fund.
     Depending on the type of fund, these costs may be very substantial. These costs are not necessarily
     disclosed in the fund prospectus but may be obtained from the fund company in a report called a
     statement of additional information.

                             The average mutual fund trading expense is 1.44%3.
  4. Taxes: Taxes are a fact of life for all investors. However, the amount and timing of taxes one pays may
     be controlled and limited by using tax awareness in investment transactions. Being tax aware involves
     the selection of strategies employed to realize gains and losses as well as understanding and focusing
     on the investor’s personal goals. Tax awareness can have a significant positive impact on your wealth.


                        Common Costs                                     UnCommon Costs

                         • Advisor 1.25%                                     • Advisor 1.25%
                • Portfolio Expense Ratio 1.32%                   • Portfolio Expense Ratio 0.30%
                     • Trading Costs 1.44%                              • Trading Costs 0.10%
                       • Total Costs 4.01%                                • Total Costs 1.65%


UnCommon Sense believes that costs matter and low fees add value. Cost benefits are realized
primarily through the use of an UnCommon Investment philosophy. By focusing on capturing the market’s           8
return as efficiently as possible, investment expenses, portfolio trading costs, and tax liabilities are
significantly decreased. The benefit for the investor is simple, less is more.



                                       Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
UnCommon Sense: “Avoid Speculation,
                                                  Invest with Purpose and Discipline”



Key #6 – An UnCommon Investing Philosophy
The most common approach or philosophy to investing is Active Management. Active managers attempt to
“beat the market” by picking individual stocks or timing when to be/not to be invested. Regardless of style,
active strategies reduce diversification and increase risk in the portfolio with the hope that these bets can
deliver added return. While exciting and appealing in theory, history shows that the majority of active
managers fail to consistently add value to investors. Illustrating this point, Standard & Poor’s recently
published a study that revealed two-thirds or more active equity fund managers and eighty percent or more
active fixed income fund managers failed to beat their respective indexes for the five year period 2004-
2009.4 With strong academic evidence pointing out the failures of Active management and 90% of assets in
equity mutual funds managed actively, it is not surprising that investors are increasingly disillusioned with
the industry as they fall short of their financial and life goals.

For those investors looking for a highly personalized investment approach that empowers them to take
control of their financial life and follow a more confident course toward achieving their goals, UnCommon
Investment Management is the solution. UnCommon Investment Management is a prudent, strategic
approach that applies to all markets, all conditions, and is designed to do one thing – help
investors achieve their lifetime financial goals. UnCommon Investment Management allows capital
markets to work for you by efficiently capturing their rewards through a structured, broadly diversified,
cost effective process that avoids unnecessary risk. Unlike Active Management where your portfolio
performance is measured against a random market benchmark, with UnCommon Investment Management,
decisions are made within the context of your customized Master Plan and their impact is measured in
relation to reaching your specific goals. In this way you invest with purpose and discipline instead of
failing prey to the Behavior Gap™ underperformance so many investors endure.

Comparison of Philosophy Characteristics:


                 Active Management                            UnCommon Management

            • Assumes Markets Do Not Work                      • Lets Markets Work for You
          • Based on Forecasting, Speculation              • Structured, Nobel Prize Approach
               • Opposite of Diversification                         • Broadly Diversified
           • Adds Risk of Underperformance                       • Avoids Unnecessary Risk
                 • Market Focused Advice                             • Goals-Based Advice
                 • Higher Costs and Taxes                          • Cost and Tax Efficient


In our opinion, Active Management is contrary to the best interest of investors in many ways. Not only does
this approach greatly increase the likelihood that the investments will, in fact, not “beat” the market over
time, but it also fails to connect with what matters most to clients – achieving their goals. A holistic
                                                                                                                9
approach to teamwork, advice, risk, costs, and investments is designed to deliver an UnCommon fiduciary
wealth management experience far superior to what is commonly practiced in the industry today.


                                       Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
Unfortunately, what investors want is
                                                  UnCommon in the marketplace today.



Your Next Steps
As we outlined in our opening letter, most investors want a relationship with a trusted advisor,
comprehensive advice, reasonable fees, and peace of mind.

            Unfortunately, what investors want is UnCommon in the marketplace today.

Take a good look at your current situation and ask yourself the following questions:

    •   Are you currently working with an independent financial advisor?
    •   Are you working with a Team of Experts?
    •   Is your advisor more focused on your investments or your goals?
    •   Are you trying to “beat” the market? Ask yourself why and at what added risk to you?
    •   How much are you paying for the investments and advice you receive?
    •   Do you feel in control of your financial life?

If you are currently using the “common” traditional product and performance oriented approach to
managing your wealth, you owe it to your family and yourself to seek out a better solution, an UnCommon
Solution. At Mentor Wealth Management, our aim is to help our clients, and investors like you make
smarter decisions that reduce the uncertainty and stress that many investors experience by providing the
keys to live a more confident financial life.

We recommend using the UnCommon Sense Guide to Managing Your Wealth and the six specific keys to
financial wellness to help make sure that your investment approach—and overall wealth management
Master Plan—are designed to effectively address your very specific financial needs in order to maximize the
probability that you will achieve all your financial goals.

We wish you the best as you begin your journey toward financial independence.




                                                                                                              10




                                       Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
An UnCommon Firm with UnCommon
                                                 Solutions



About Mentor Wealth Management, LLC
Mentor Wealth Management, LLC combines extensive financial industry experience with an objective and
UnCommon approach to wealth management. We focus on advising a select group of individuals, families
and institutions for whom we provide real value through our team of experts approach. Our passion is to
guide clients through the process of identifying important goals and tailoring a Master Plan that increases
the likelihood that they will reach their financial objectives.

At Mentor we believe wealth management is the objective integration of advanced planning and investment
counsel orchestrated by a dedicated Personal CFO. This process goes beyond managing investments to
include growing and preserving wealth, planning for its orderly transfer to future generations, and
providing for the charitable interests of our clients. We act as an advocate and guide our clients through
each aspect of the process with the intent of helping them live their financial lives with confidence and
maximizing the likelihood of achieving their vision.




Endnotes
1
  FPA Research Center, Financial Planning Association, 2011
2
  Based on all funds tracked by Morningstar, Inc. (September 30, 2008)
3
  “Scale Effects in Mutual Fund Performance: The Role of Trading Costs” -a multi-University research study    11
4
  Standard & Poor’s Indices Versus Active Funds Scorecard, August 20, 2009




                                       Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
Mentor Wealth Management, LLC
    7113 Three Chopt Road
            Suite 210
   Richmond, Virginia 23226                                   12
     info@mentorwm.com
         (804) 592-3660


    Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com

More Related Content

What's hot

Financial sponsors the power of the promote
Financial sponsors the power of the promoteFinancial sponsors the power of the promote
Financial sponsors the power of the promoteInvestment-Crowdfunding
 
Sterling White Paper - Selecting an Investment Advisor
Sterling White Paper - Selecting an Investment AdvisorSterling White Paper - Selecting an Investment Advisor
Sterling White Paper - Selecting an Investment AdvisorSterling Trustees
 
EOF_EthicalChecklist
EOF_EthicalChecklistEOF_EthicalChecklist
EOF_EthicalChecklistGabriel Padva
 
MSM Presentation
MSM PresentationMSM Presentation
MSM Presentationmorjariam
 
4 active vs passive advisor insert funds flows dfa (advisor present) p. 1-3, ...
4 active vs passive advisor insert funds flows dfa (advisor present) p. 1-3, ...4 active vs passive advisor insert funds flows dfa (advisor present) p. 1-3, ...
4 active vs passive advisor insert funds flows dfa (advisor present) p. 1-3, ...Weydert Wealth Management
 
Six Reasons Why CEOs Should Know About BDCs
Six Reasons Why CEOs Should Know About BDCsSix Reasons Why CEOs Should Know About BDCs
Six Reasons Why CEOs Should Know About BDCsChristian Oberbeck
 
Cash, Connections and Chemistry - Angel investment in early stage technology ...
Cash, Connections and Chemistry - Angel investment in early stage technology ...Cash, Connections and Chemistry - Angel investment in early stage technology ...
Cash, Connections and Chemistry - Angel investment in early stage technology ...Dave Litwiller
 
Angel Investment Clubs Summary
Angel Investment Clubs SummaryAngel Investment Clubs Summary
Angel Investment Clubs Summarysethtemko
 
The NMS Exchange For Endwments and Foundations 2013
The NMS Exchange For Endwments and Foundations 2013 The NMS Exchange For Endwments and Foundations 2013
The NMS Exchange For Endwments and Foundations 2013 Keith Dixson
 

What's hot (14)

Investments
InvestmentsInvestments
Investments
 
Investments
InvestmentsInvestments
Investments
 
Raintree Brochure
Raintree BrochureRaintree Brochure
Raintree Brochure
 
Financial sponsors the power of the promote
Financial sponsors the power of the promoteFinancial sponsors the power of the promote
Financial sponsors the power of the promote
 
Sterling White Paper - Selecting an Investment Advisor
Sterling White Paper - Selecting an Investment AdvisorSterling White Paper - Selecting an Investment Advisor
Sterling White Paper - Selecting an Investment Advisor
 
EOF_EthicalChecklist
EOF_EthicalChecklistEOF_EthicalChecklist
EOF_EthicalChecklist
 
MSM Presentation
MSM PresentationMSM Presentation
MSM Presentation
 
4 active vs passive advisor insert funds flows dfa (advisor present) p. 1-3, ...
4 active vs passive advisor insert funds flows dfa (advisor present) p. 1-3, ...4 active vs passive advisor insert funds flows dfa (advisor present) p. 1-3, ...
4 active vs passive advisor insert funds flows dfa (advisor present) p. 1-3, ...
 
Six Reasons Why CEOs Should Know About BDCs
Six Reasons Why CEOs Should Know About BDCsSix Reasons Why CEOs Should Know About BDCs
Six Reasons Why CEOs Should Know About BDCs
 
Cash, Connections and Chemistry - Angel investment in early stage technology ...
Cash, Connections and Chemistry - Angel investment in early stage technology ...Cash, Connections and Chemistry - Angel investment in early stage technology ...
Cash, Connections and Chemistry - Angel investment in early stage technology ...
 
Raising venture capital
Raising venture capitalRaising venture capital
Raising venture capital
 
RRPro SA Interview
RRPro SA InterviewRRPro SA Interview
RRPro SA Interview
 
Angel Investment Clubs Summary
Angel Investment Clubs SummaryAngel Investment Clubs Summary
Angel Investment Clubs Summary
 
The NMS Exchange For Endwments and Foundations 2013
The NMS Exchange For Endwments and Foundations 2013 The NMS Exchange For Endwments and Foundations 2013
The NMS Exchange For Endwments and Foundations 2013
 

Viewers also liked (7)

McLuhan
McLuhanMcLuhan
McLuhan
 
100503 bioinfo instsymp
100503 bioinfo instsymp100503 bioinfo instsymp
100503 bioinfo instsymp
 
Powerpoint Recognising Achievement
Powerpoint Recognising AchievementPowerpoint Recognising Achievement
Powerpoint Recognising Achievement
 
GeoCENS Presentation
GeoCENS PresentationGeoCENS Presentation
GeoCENS Presentation
 
091020 E Research Otago
091020 E Research Otago091020 E Research Otago
091020 E Research Otago
 
Brand Plan
Brand PlanBrand Plan
Brand Plan
 
Powerpoint Presentation Template
Powerpoint Presentation TemplatePowerpoint Presentation Template
Powerpoint Presentation Template
 

Similar to Uncommon Sense Guide to Managing Your Wealth

BI%20Brochure%20Award%20Winning%20Investment%20Management%20Jan%202014
BI%20Brochure%20Award%20Winning%20Investment%20Management%20Jan%202014BI%20Brochure%20Award%20Winning%20Investment%20Management%20Jan%202014
BI%20Brochure%20Award%20Winning%20Investment%20Management%20Jan%202014James Campion
 
How Do You Know That Your Advisor Knows
How Do You Know That Your Advisor KnowsHow Do You Know That Your Advisor Knows
How Do You Know That Your Advisor KnowsKimberleyFulcher
 
Financial planning with robo advisory does it make sense? | linked in
Financial planning with robo advisory  does it make sense? | linked inFinancial planning with robo advisory  does it make sense? | linked in
Financial planning with robo advisory does it make sense? | linked inVaibhav Ajay Mishra
 
Tilney-Bestinvest Brochure
Tilney-Bestinvest BrochureTilney-Bestinvest Brochure
Tilney-Bestinvest BrochureTom Henson
 
Five key benefits of independent investment advisors
Five key benefits of independent investment advisorsFive key benefits of independent investment advisors
Five key benefits of independent investment advisorsTom Gartner
 
The Right Investment Advisor Does What Is Right For You.
The Right Investment Advisor Does What Is Right For You.The Right Investment Advisor Does What Is Right For You.
The Right Investment Advisor Does What Is Right For You.Tom Gartner
 
Questions to ask when choosing a advisor qcwm
Questions to ask when choosing a advisor qcwmQuestions to ask when choosing a advisor qcwm
Questions to ask when choosing a advisor qcwmGregg Hancock
 
Boon Capital Presentation Final March 2016
Boon Capital Presentation Final March 2016Boon Capital Presentation Final March 2016
Boon Capital Presentation Final March 2016Daniel B Borstein
 
Multilife Overview 0509
Multilife Overview 0509Multilife Overview 0509
Multilife Overview 0509Eilon Even-Esh
 
Multilife Overview 0509
Multilife Overview 0509Multilife Overview 0509
Multilife Overview 0509Eilon Even-Esh
 
JAS Wealth: A Different Kind of Wealth Management, Sydney Australia.
JAS Wealth: A Different Kind of Wealth Management, Sydney Australia.JAS Wealth: A Different Kind of Wealth Management, Sydney Australia.
JAS Wealth: A Different Kind of Wealth Management, Sydney Australia.JAS Wealth
 

Similar to Uncommon Sense Guide to Managing Your Wealth (20)

BI%20Brochure%20Award%20Winning%20Investment%20Management%20Jan%202014
BI%20Brochure%20Award%20Winning%20Investment%20Management%20Jan%202014BI%20Brochure%20Award%20Winning%20Investment%20Management%20Jan%202014
BI%20Brochure%20Award%20Winning%20Investment%20Management%20Jan%202014
 
How Do You Know That Your Advisor Knows
How Do You Know That Your Advisor KnowsHow Do You Know That Your Advisor Knows
How Do You Know That Your Advisor Knows
 
Financial planning with robo advisory does it make sense? | linked in
Financial planning with robo advisory  does it make sense? | linked inFinancial planning with robo advisory  does it make sense? | linked in
Financial planning with robo advisory does it make sense? | linked in
 
Tilney-Bestinvest Brochure
Tilney-Bestinvest BrochureTilney-Bestinvest Brochure
Tilney-Bestinvest Brochure
 
Palliance[1]
Palliance[1]Palliance[1]
Palliance[1]
 
Five key benefits of independent investment advisors
Five key benefits of independent investment advisorsFive key benefits of independent investment advisors
Five key benefits of independent investment advisors
 
The Right Investment Advisor Does What Is Right For You.
The Right Investment Advisor Does What Is Right For You.The Right Investment Advisor Does What Is Right For You.
The Right Investment Advisor Does What Is Right For You.
 
Questions to ask when choosing a advisor qcwm
Questions to ask when choosing a advisor qcwmQuestions to ask when choosing a advisor qcwm
Questions to ask when choosing a advisor qcwm
 
BFM_FAQ
BFM_FAQBFM_FAQ
BFM_FAQ
 
Boon Capital Presentation Final March 2016
Boon Capital Presentation Final March 2016Boon Capital Presentation Final March 2016
Boon Capital Presentation Final March 2016
 
Investments - Copy
Investments - CopyInvestments - Copy
Investments - Copy
 
Investments
InvestmentsInvestments
Investments
 
Investments
InvestmentsInvestments
Investments
 
Investments
InvestmentsInvestments
Investments
 
Investments
InvestmentsInvestments
Investments
 
Investments
InvestmentsInvestments
Investments
 
Multilife Overview 0509
Multilife Overview 0509Multilife Overview 0509
Multilife Overview 0509
 
Multilife Overview 0509
Multilife Overview 0509Multilife Overview 0509
Multilife Overview 0509
 
Best of BFM Newsletters
Best of BFM NewslettersBest of BFM Newsletters
Best of BFM Newsletters
 
JAS Wealth: A Different Kind of Wealth Management, Sydney Australia.
JAS Wealth: A Different Kind of Wealth Management, Sydney Australia.JAS Wealth: A Different Kind of Wealth Management, Sydney Australia.
JAS Wealth: A Different Kind of Wealth Management, Sydney Australia.
 

Recently uploaded

TEST BANK For Corporate Finance, 13th Edition By Stephen Ross, Randolph Weste...
TEST BANK For Corporate Finance, 13th Edition By Stephen Ross, Randolph Weste...TEST BANK For Corporate Finance, 13th Edition By Stephen Ross, Randolph Weste...
TEST BANK For Corporate Finance, 13th Edition By Stephen Ross, Randolph Weste...ssifa0344
 
WhatsApp 📞 Call : 9892124323 ✅Call Girls In Chembur ( Mumbai ) secure service
WhatsApp 📞 Call : 9892124323  ✅Call Girls In Chembur ( Mumbai ) secure serviceWhatsApp 📞 Call : 9892124323  ✅Call Girls In Chembur ( Mumbai ) secure service
WhatsApp 📞 Call : 9892124323 ✅Call Girls In Chembur ( Mumbai ) secure servicePooja Nehwal
 
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 19.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 19.pdfThe Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 19.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 19.pdfGale Pooley
 
00_Main ppt_MeetupDORA&CyberSecurity.pptx
00_Main ppt_MeetupDORA&CyberSecurity.pptx00_Main ppt_MeetupDORA&CyberSecurity.pptx
00_Main ppt_MeetupDORA&CyberSecurity.pptxFinTech Belgium
 
Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Wadgaon Sheri 6297143586 Call Hot Ind...
Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Wadgaon Sheri  6297143586 Call Hot Ind...Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Wadgaon Sheri  6297143586 Call Hot Ind...
Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Wadgaon Sheri 6297143586 Call Hot Ind...Call Girls in Nagpur High Profile
 
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 18.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 18.pdfThe Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 18.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 18.pdfGale Pooley
 
VIP Call Girl in Mira Road 💧 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Get A New Crush Everyday ...
VIP Call Girl in Mira Road 💧 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Get A New Crush Everyday ...VIP Call Girl in Mira Road 💧 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Get A New Crush Everyday ...
VIP Call Girl in Mira Road 💧 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Get A New Crush Everyday ...dipikadinghjn ( Why You Choose Us? ) Escorts
 
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 26.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 26.pdfThe Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 26.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 26.pdfGale Pooley
 
Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Shivane 6297143586 Call Hot Indian Gi...
Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Shivane  6297143586 Call Hot Indian Gi...Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Shivane  6297143586 Call Hot Indian Gi...
Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Shivane 6297143586 Call Hot Indian Gi...Call Girls in Nagpur High Profile
 
Mira Road Awesome 100% Independent Call Girls NUmber-9833754194-Dahisar Inter...
Mira Road Awesome 100% Independent Call Girls NUmber-9833754194-Dahisar Inter...Mira Road Awesome 100% Independent Call Girls NUmber-9833754194-Dahisar Inter...
Mira Road Awesome 100% Independent Call Girls NUmber-9833754194-Dahisar Inter...priyasharma62062
 
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 21.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 21.pdfThe Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 21.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 21.pdfGale Pooley
 
06_Joeri Van Speybroek_Dell_MeetupDora&Cybersecurity.pdf
06_Joeri Van Speybroek_Dell_MeetupDora&Cybersecurity.pdf06_Joeri Van Speybroek_Dell_MeetupDora&Cybersecurity.pdf
06_Joeri Van Speybroek_Dell_MeetupDora&Cybersecurity.pdfFinTech Belgium
 
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 25.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 25.pdfThe Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 25.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 25.pdfGale Pooley
 
Top Rated Pune Call Girls Sinhagad Road ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine S...
Top Rated  Pune Call Girls Sinhagad Road ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine S...Top Rated  Pune Call Girls Sinhagad Road ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine S...
Top Rated Pune Call Girls Sinhagad Road ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine S...Call Girls in Nagpur High Profile
 
Vasai-Virar Fantastic Call Girls-9833754194-Call Girls MUmbai
Vasai-Virar Fantastic Call Girls-9833754194-Call Girls MUmbaiVasai-Virar Fantastic Call Girls-9833754194-Call Girls MUmbai
Vasai-Virar Fantastic Call Girls-9833754194-Call Girls MUmbaipriyasharma62062
 
VIP Independent Call Girls in Bandra West 🌹 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Mumbai Esc...
VIP Independent Call Girls in Bandra West 🌹 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Mumbai Esc...VIP Independent Call Girls in Bandra West 🌹 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Mumbai Esc...
VIP Independent Call Girls in Bandra West 🌹 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Mumbai Esc...dipikadinghjn ( Why You Choose Us? ) Escorts
 
Solution Manual for Financial Accounting, 11th Edition by Robert Libby, Patri...
Solution Manual for Financial Accounting, 11th Edition by Robert Libby, Patri...Solution Manual for Financial Accounting, 11th Edition by Robert Libby, Patri...
Solution Manual for Financial Accounting, 11th Edition by Robert Libby, Patri...ssifa0344
 
Top Rated Pune Call Girls Viman Nagar ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine Sex...
Top Rated  Pune Call Girls Viman Nagar ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine Sex...Top Rated  Pune Call Girls Viman Nagar ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine Sex...
Top Rated Pune Call Girls Viman Nagar ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine Sex...Call Girls in Nagpur High Profile
 

Recently uploaded (20)

TEST BANK For Corporate Finance, 13th Edition By Stephen Ross, Randolph Weste...
TEST BANK For Corporate Finance, 13th Edition By Stephen Ross, Randolph Weste...TEST BANK For Corporate Finance, 13th Edition By Stephen Ross, Randolph Weste...
TEST BANK For Corporate Finance, 13th Edition By Stephen Ross, Randolph Weste...
 
WhatsApp 📞 Call : 9892124323 ✅Call Girls In Chembur ( Mumbai ) secure service
WhatsApp 📞 Call : 9892124323  ✅Call Girls In Chembur ( Mumbai ) secure serviceWhatsApp 📞 Call : 9892124323  ✅Call Girls In Chembur ( Mumbai ) secure service
WhatsApp 📞 Call : 9892124323 ✅Call Girls In Chembur ( Mumbai ) secure service
 
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 19.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 19.pdfThe Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 19.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 19.pdf
 
00_Main ppt_MeetupDORA&CyberSecurity.pptx
00_Main ppt_MeetupDORA&CyberSecurity.pptx00_Main ppt_MeetupDORA&CyberSecurity.pptx
00_Main ppt_MeetupDORA&CyberSecurity.pptx
 
(Vedika) Low Rate Call Girls in Pune Call Now 8250077686 Pune Escorts 24x7
(Vedika) Low Rate Call Girls in Pune Call Now 8250077686 Pune Escorts 24x7(Vedika) Low Rate Call Girls in Pune Call Now 8250077686 Pune Escorts 24x7
(Vedika) Low Rate Call Girls in Pune Call Now 8250077686 Pune Escorts 24x7
 
Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Wadgaon Sheri 6297143586 Call Hot Ind...
Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Wadgaon Sheri  6297143586 Call Hot Ind...Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Wadgaon Sheri  6297143586 Call Hot Ind...
Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Wadgaon Sheri 6297143586 Call Hot Ind...
 
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 18.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 18.pdfThe Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 18.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 18.pdf
 
VIP Call Girl in Mira Road 💧 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Get A New Crush Everyday ...
VIP Call Girl in Mira Road 💧 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Get A New Crush Everyday ...VIP Call Girl in Mira Road 💧 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Get A New Crush Everyday ...
VIP Call Girl in Mira Road 💧 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Get A New Crush Everyday ...
 
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 26.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 26.pdfThe Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 26.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 26.pdf
 
Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Shivane 6297143586 Call Hot Indian Gi...
Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Shivane  6297143586 Call Hot Indian Gi...Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Shivane  6297143586 Call Hot Indian Gi...
Booking open Available Pune Call Girls Shivane 6297143586 Call Hot Indian Gi...
 
Mira Road Awesome 100% Independent Call Girls NUmber-9833754194-Dahisar Inter...
Mira Road Awesome 100% Independent Call Girls NUmber-9833754194-Dahisar Inter...Mira Road Awesome 100% Independent Call Girls NUmber-9833754194-Dahisar Inter...
Mira Road Awesome 100% Independent Call Girls NUmber-9833754194-Dahisar Inter...
 
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 21.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 21.pdfThe Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 21.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 21.pdf
 
(INDIRA) Call Girl Mumbai Call Now 8250077686 Mumbai Escorts 24x7
(INDIRA) Call Girl Mumbai Call Now 8250077686 Mumbai Escorts 24x7(INDIRA) Call Girl Mumbai Call Now 8250077686 Mumbai Escorts 24x7
(INDIRA) Call Girl Mumbai Call Now 8250077686 Mumbai Escorts 24x7
 
06_Joeri Van Speybroek_Dell_MeetupDora&Cybersecurity.pdf
06_Joeri Van Speybroek_Dell_MeetupDora&Cybersecurity.pdf06_Joeri Van Speybroek_Dell_MeetupDora&Cybersecurity.pdf
06_Joeri Van Speybroek_Dell_MeetupDora&Cybersecurity.pdf
 
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 25.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 25.pdfThe Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 25.pdf
The Economic History of the U.S. Lecture 25.pdf
 
Top Rated Pune Call Girls Sinhagad Road ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine S...
Top Rated  Pune Call Girls Sinhagad Road ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine S...Top Rated  Pune Call Girls Sinhagad Road ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine S...
Top Rated Pune Call Girls Sinhagad Road ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine S...
 
Vasai-Virar Fantastic Call Girls-9833754194-Call Girls MUmbai
Vasai-Virar Fantastic Call Girls-9833754194-Call Girls MUmbaiVasai-Virar Fantastic Call Girls-9833754194-Call Girls MUmbai
Vasai-Virar Fantastic Call Girls-9833754194-Call Girls MUmbai
 
VIP Independent Call Girls in Bandra West 🌹 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Mumbai Esc...
VIP Independent Call Girls in Bandra West 🌹 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Mumbai Esc...VIP Independent Call Girls in Bandra West 🌹 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Mumbai Esc...
VIP Independent Call Girls in Bandra West 🌹 9920725232 ( Call Me ) Mumbai Esc...
 
Solution Manual for Financial Accounting, 11th Edition by Robert Libby, Patri...
Solution Manual for Financial Accounting, 11th Edition by Robert Libby, Patri...Solution Manual for Financial Accounting, 11th Edition by Robert Libby, Patri...
Solution Manual for Financial Accounting, 11th Edition by Robert Libby, Patri...
 
Top Rated Pune Call Girls Viman Nagar ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine Sex...
Top Rated  Pune Call Girls Viman Nagar ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine Sex...Top Rated  Pune Call Girls Viman Nagar ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine Sex...
Top Rated Pune Call Girls Viman Nagar ⟟ 6297143586 ⟟ Call Me For Genuine Sex...
 

Uncommon Sense Guide to Managing Your Wealth

  • 1. The UnCommon Sense Guide to Managing Your Wealth Six Keys to Financial Wellness
  • 2. UnCommon Direction Letter from Mentor Wealth Management, LLC With uncertain markets and a volatile economy, investors are increasingly aware that achieving their goals may not be as simple as they once imagined. Many investors, like you, want to learn more about their options and how they may increase the likelihood that they will be able to attain their valued goals in the coming years. Our goal in writing The Uncommon Sense Guide to Managing Your Wealth is to help you, the investor, understand your options and make smart decisions about your choice of advisor, investments, and ultimately your financial future. So, what are investors looking for? Quite simply, astute investors want a relationship with a trusted advisor, comprehensive advice, reasonable fees, and peace of mind. Unfortunately, what investors want is UnCommon in the marketplace today. The Uncommon Sense Guide to Managing Your Wealth challenges the traditional investment approaches that are failing most investors today and offers UnCommon solutions in six key areas that can help maximize the likelihood of achieving all that is important to you. Six Keys to Financial Wellness: 1. The UnCommon Advisory Firm 2. An UnCommon Team of Experts 3. UnCommon Advice 4. An UnCommon Approach to Risk 5. UnCommon Costs Matter 6. An UnCommon Investment Philosophy Mentor Wealth Management is pleased to present you with The Uncommon Sense Guide to Managing Your Wealth. We hope that it will provide a framework for an intelligent approach to see beyond the common options that exist today and lay the ground work necessary for you to build a successful strategy to achieve your most valued goals. Sincerely, The Mentor Wealth Management Team 2 Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
  • 3. Table of Contents Six Keys to Financial Wellness Key #1 - The UnCommon Advisory Firm 4 Key #2 – An UnCommon Team of Experts 5 Key #3 – UnCommon Advice 6 Key #4 - An UnCommon Approach to Risk 7 Key #5 - UnCommon Costs Matter 8 Key #6 - An UnCommon Investment Philosophy 9 Your Next Steps 10 About Mentor Wealth Management, LLC 11 Endnotes 11 3 Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
  • 4. UnCommon Sense: “Work with a Registered Investment Advisor” Key #1 - The UnCommon Advisory Firm When searching for a trusted advisor, a great starting point is to evaluate an advisor’s choice of employment. The most common employer is a brokerage firm. Advisors employed at a brokerage firm are known as “registered representatives.” There are more than 700,000 registered reps working for brokerage firms in the U.S and they are treated under the law as salespeople. Registered representatives operate under a 1934 law (the Securities Exchange Act) that loosely binds them to ensure only that the products they sell are "suitable" for their clients. But, like a real estate agent, once the sale is done and the commission is collected, their legal obligation ends. So while they may present themselves as advisors who will stick with you over the years, they are under no legal obligation to do so – and have no legal liability if they do not. Registered representatives are compensated by their firm based on the amount of product they sell. A key point here for the investor is that the objectivity of the advice is always in question due to the product driven compensation a registered representative receives. The UnCommon alternative to the product driven sales culture of a brokerage firm is a Registered Investment Adviser. Advisors employed by a Registered Invesment Adviser are known as Investment Advisory Representatives. There are approximately, 19,000 Registered Investment Advisers in the US and they are required by a 1940 law (the Investment Advisers Act) to act as “fiduciaries”, compelling them to put the interests of clients before their own. Investment Advisers are compensated directly by their clients based on an agreed upon fee schedule for advice and services. Fee-only investment advisors are often perceived to have greater alignment with the interests of their clients because they have no financial incentive to recommend one particular product over another. By removing the product sales focus, the investment adviser can provide advice and recommend investments to an investor with an objective view that is free of conflicts of interest. Registered Representative Investment Adviser • Suitability • Fiduciary • No Ongoing Duty of Care • Ongoing Duty of Care • Product Driven • Advice Driven • Conflicts of Interest • No Conflicts of Interest 4 Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
  • 5. UnCommon Sense: “Work with a Well Orchestrated Team of Experts” Key #2 – An UnCommon Team of Experts A major factor to consider in choosing the right advisor is the depth of knowledge, expertise, and experience an advisor offers clients. A comprehensive wealth plan or “Master Plan” requires not only that attention be given to such diverse issues as tax strategies, regulatory issues, investments and in-depth financial planning but also that these factors are addressed together in the context of the client’s goals. Most often, however, the advice offered to clients comes from the advisor acting as an investment generalist. This advisor will focus on one area, typically the “right” investments for your portfolio to “beat the market”, and may provide basic financial planning that leads to a portfolio solution. The reality is that the complexity of a comprehensive Master Plan and the demands of our constantly changing marketplace require more than a generalist to handle. No single advisor can be an expert in all areas of wealth management. In order to provide the level of service, perspective and depth of advice that most investors want and need, an individual advisor or investment generalist may not be the best path. “Your wealth is too important to risk in the hands of a generalist.” UnCommon Sense supports the team of experts approach. Your team should be made up of experts including a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Analyst, Trust & Estate Attorney, CPA, and an Insurance Specialist. Importantly, one of these experts should also act as your Personal CFO, a trusted advocate whose role is to coordinate this team of experts and integrate their strategies with your Master Plan in mind. With a diverse group of specialists working together for you, with guidance from your Personal CFO, your entire financial picture is put into perspective and custom solutions can be tailored and implemented to help you reach your goals. Some investors may have a few of these team members already in place. Most likely these professionals are working at different firms and independently providing advice on their specific area of expertise. We view that type of fragmented approach like an orchestra without a conductor; all the musicians are skillfully playing their instruments but some are out of time and others are reading an entirely different sheet of music. The Personal CFO, or conductor, is essential to coordinate your team of experts and integrate their strategies with your specific sheet of music in mind, your goals and Master Plan. Trust & Estate Attorney Portfolio Accountant Specialist Financial Personal Insurance 5 Planner CFO Specialist Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
  • 6. “UnCommon Advice - It’s a process, not a product.” Key #3 - UnCommon Advice A buzzword in the financial industry today is “wealth management”. Many financial firms say they offer wealth management, but few can clearly provide an explanation as to what “wealth management” really is. In most cases, “wealth management” is simply a marketing phrase used to give the appearance that the advice will be more than just investment related. Unfortunately, the common approach is just that - investment or product-driven “advice” from start to finish. Some advisors will ask about your goals and maybe even create a financial plan to help address your questions, but it all ends at the same place – the investments they recommend you buy and sell. The review meetings that follow all tend to have the same theme as well, review the portfolio and determine what investments did well and which did not. In the common approach, your portfolio is the focus and your financial plan is irrelevant. Common Advice UnCommon Advice Process Process Current Portfolio Your Goals & Master Review Plan Recommend New Goals -Based Investing Portfolio Review New Portfolio's Review Master Plan Performance Progress UnCommon Sense has a very specific definition of wealth management: Wealth Management is the objective integration of advanced planning and investment counsel, orchestrated by a dedicated Personal CFO. It’s a process, not a product. True wealth management – an UnCommon approach – begins with a Master Plan tailored around client goals. The plan is further developed to integrate the many aspects of managing and investing your wealth: its protection, enhancement, and planning for potential transfer to future generations and charitable organizations. Your Master Plan becomes the focus of continuous and prudent management by your team of experts. All of the components come together for you as you plot your course, assess your progress and make changes 6 as life’s uncertainties present themselves. Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
  • 7. UnCommon Investing: “A prudent, Sense: “Understand Your strategic Avoid the Behavior Gap™” mar Risk and approach that applies to all Key #4 – An UnCommon Approach to Risk An important part of an advisor’s and client’s investment philosophy deals with how risk is handled in a client’s plan and portfolio. Regardless of the approach you take to investing, risk is a constant factor. We recognize that without risk there is no reward. However, the amount of risk you take is a preference and needs to be framed within the context of your life to properly balance your desired reward level with the associated risk. Despite this fact, most individuals take investment risk without understanding if it is too little or too much for their situation, which can lead to devastating financial and emotional results. From 1990 through 2009, stocks returned an average of 8.20% annually. During this same time period, the average mutual fund investor experienced a return of only 2.3% annually. Carl Richards, a financial planner from Park City, Utah coined the phrase “Behavior Gap™” as an explanation of this large difference in returns. Basically, poor investor behavior driven by the emotions of fear and greed led investors to make poor choices in managing their wealth. This Behavior Gap™ is especially common when both advisors and investors focus primarily on chasing portfolio returns without any means of gauging the potential risks. This is not a new phenomenon. As long as markets have been around, investors have fallen victim to being too aggressive or too risk averse. The UnCommon approach is to identify the minimum risk, or strategic risk, necessary to achieve your Master Plan’s goals and position your portfolio accordingly to capture the desired level of return through efficient, broadly diversified participation in capital markets instead of relying on forecasts and speculation. With this fresh goals-based perspective, investors are able to 7 see wealth management in a new light and evaluate what risk/return means to them in a rational, structured way that helps them steer clear of unnecessary risk taking and the emotional mistakes of the past. Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
  • 8. UnCommon Sense: “Costs Matter and Low Fees Add Value” Key# 5 – UnCommon Costs Matter One area where investors are often under-informed is in understanding the full range of costs for the financial and investment advice they receive and implement. There are four areas that determine an investor’s true cost of investing; Advisory Fees, Portfolio Expense Ratio, Trading Costs, and Taxes. These four costs all must be paid before the investor sees any gains on an investment. 1. Advisory Fees: One of the primary costs is the fee charged by an advisor. Many advisors charge a fee based on the total assets they manage for you while others charge a flat fee for financial planning or a combination of asset based and flat fees for their services. Assuming a $250,000 account the standard advisory fee range is between 1.00% -1.50%1. 2. Portfolio Expense Ratio: Your advisor, as a part of the services provided to you, will usually recommend certain investments for your portfolio. Mutual funds and exchange traded funds you own will charge a fee called an expense ratio which is assessed annually against the account of each investor in the fund. This fee is used to pay for fixed operating costs which include items such as the salaries of the fund employees, marketing expenses, and administrative overhead. The average mutual fund expense ratio according to Morningstar is 1.32%2. 3. Trading Costs: In addition to the expense ratio charged by funds to help cover their fixed costs, there are additional charges to cover variable costs incurred by the funds. These variable expenses include items like the trading costs when the mutual fund purchases or sells securities held by the fund. Depending on the type of fund, these costs may be very substantial. These costs are not necessarily disclosed in the fund prospectus but may be obtained from the fund company in a report called a statement of additional information. The average mutual fund trading expense is 1.44%3. 4. Taxes: Taxes are a fact of life for all investors. However, the amount and timing of taxes one pays may be controlled and limited by using tax awareness in investment transactions. Being tax aware involves the selection of strategies employed to realize gains and losses as well as understanding and focusing on the investor’s personal goals. Tax awareness can have a significant positive impact on your wealth. Common Costs UnCommon Costs • Advisor 1.25% • Advisor 1.25% • Portfolio Expense Ratio 1.32% • Portfolio Expense Ratio 0.30% • Trading Costs 1.44% • Trading Costs 0.10% • Total Costs 4.01% • Total Costs 1.65% UnCommon Sense believes that costs matter and low fees add value. Cost benefits are realized primarily through the use of an UnCommon Investment philosophy. By focusing on capturing the market’s 8 return as efficiently as possible, investment expenses, portfolio trading costs, and tax liabilities are significantly decreased. The benefit for the investor is simple, less is more. Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
  • 9. UnCommon Sense: “Avoid Speculation, Invest with Purpose and Discipline” Key #6 – An UnCommon Investing Philosophy The most common approach or philosophy to investing is Active Management. Active managers attempt to “beat the market” by picking individual stocks or timing when to be/not to be invested. Regardless of style, active strategies reduce diversification and increase risk in the portfolio with the hope that these bets can deliver added return. While exciting and appealing in theory, history shows that the majority of active managers fail to consistently add value to investors. Illustrating this point, Standard & Poor’s recently published a study that revealed two-thirds or more active equity fund managers and eighty percent or more active fixed income fund managers failed to beat their respective indexes for the five year period 2004- 2009.4 With strong academic evidence pointing out the failures of Active management and 90% of assets in equity mutual funds managed actively, it is not surprising that investors are increasingly disillusioned with the industry as they fall short of their financial and life goals. For those investors looking for a highly personalized investment approach that empowers them to take control of their financial life and follow a more confident course toward achieving their goals, UnCommon Investment Management is the solution. UnCommon Investment Management is a prudent, strategic approach that applies to all markets, all conditions, and is designed to do one thing – help investors achieve their lifetime financial goals. UnCommon Investment Management allows capital markets to work for you by efficiently capturing their rewards through a structured, broadly diversified, cost effective process that avoids unnecessary risk. Unlike Active Management where your portfolio performance is measured against a random market benchmark, with UnCommon Investment Management, decisions are made within the context of your customized Master Plan and their impact is measured in relation to reaching your specific goals. In this way you invest with purpose and discipline instead of failing prey to the Behavior Gap™ underperformance so many investors endure. Comparison of Philosophy Characteristics: Active Management UnCommon Management • Assumes Markets Do Not Work • Lets Markets Work for You • Based on Forecasting, Speculation • Structured, Nobel Prize Approach • Opposite of Diversification • Broadly Diversified • Adds Risk of Underperformance • Avoids Unnecessary Risk • Market Focused Advice • Goals-Based Advice • Higher Costs and Taxes • Cost and Tax Efficient In our opinion, Active Management is contrary to the best interest of investors in many ways. Not only does this approach greatly increase the likelihood that the investments will, in fact, not “beat” the market over time, but it also fails to connect with what matters most to clients – achieving their goals. A holistic 9 approach to teamwork, advice, risk, costs, and investments is designed to deliver an UnCommon fiduciary wealth management experience far superior to what is commonly practiced in the industry today. Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
  • 10. Unfortunately, what investors want is UnCommon in the marketplace today. Your Next Steps As we outlined in our opening letter, most investors want a relationship with a trusted advisor, comprehensive advice, reasonable fees, and peace of mind. Unfortunately, what investors want is UnCommon in the marketplace today. Take a good look at your current situation and ask yourself the following questions: • Are you currently working with an independent financial advisor? • Are you working with a Team of Experts? • Is your advisor more focused on your investments or your goals? • Are you trying to “beat” the market? Ask yourself why and at what added risk to you? • How much are you paying for the investments and advice you receive? • Do you feel in control of your financial life? If you are currently using the “common” traditional product and performance oriented approach to managing your wealth, you owe it to your family and yourself to seek out a better solution, an UnCommon Solution. At Mentor Wealth Management, our aim is to help our clients, and investors like you make smarter decisions that reduce the uncertainty and stress that many investors experience by providing the keys to live a more confident financial life. We recommend using the UnCommon Sense Guide to Managing Your Wealth and the six specific keys to financial wellness to help make sure that your investment approach—and overall wealth management Master Plan—are designed to effectively address your very specific financial needs in order to maximize the probability that you will achieve all your financial goals. We wish you the best as you begin your journey toward financial independence. 10 Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
  • 11. An UnCommon Firm with UnCommon Solutions About Mentor Wealth Management, LLC Mentor Wealth Management, LLC combines extensive financial industry experience with an objective and UnCommon approach to wealth management. We focus on advising a select group of individuals, families and institutions for whom we provide real value through our team of experts approach. Our passion is to guide clients through the process of identifying important goals and tailoring a Master Plan that increases the likelihood that they will reach their financial objectives. At Mentor we believe wealth management is the objective integration of advanced planning and investment counsel orchestrated by a dedicated Personal CFO. This process goes beyond managing investments to include growing and preserving wealth, planning for its orderly transfer to future generations, and providing for the charitable interests of our clients. We act as an advocate and guide our clients through each aspect of the process with the intent of helping them live their financial lives with confidence and maximizing the likelihood of achieving their vision. Endnotes 1 FPA Research Center, Financial Planning Association, 2011 2 Based on all funds tracked by Morningstar, Inc. (September 30, 2008) 3 “Scale Effects in Mutual Fund Performance: The Role of Trading Costs” -a multi-University research study 11 4 Standard & Poor’s Indices Versus Active Funds Scorecard, August 20, 2009 Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com
  • 12. Mentor Wealth Management, LLC 7113 Three Chopt Road Suite 210 Richmond, Virginia 23226 12 info@mentorwm.com (804) 592-3660 Mentor Wealth Management, LLC © 2011 | www.mentorwm.com