Our Approach

Our Approach2023-09-21T14:03:50-07:00

The Guide Approach
is for a certain kind of person.

When money is important to you, but your financial security is about more than just money.

When what you really want is to be responsible to the money you have, be able to make the right decisions, and feel good about them. Without having to become an expert.

When you just want someone you can trust, amidst an ever-changing life full of uncertainties.

Someone to keep you informed, make it easy, help you get to that good place where life is good, and the journey is the destination.

That’s when a financial guide is the way to go.

The Guide Approach
is for a certain kind of person.

When money is important to you, but your financial security is about more than just money.

When what you really want is to be responsible to the money you have, be able to make the right decisions, and feel good about them. Without having to become an expert.

When you just want someone you can trust, amidst an ever-changing life full of uncertainties.

Someone to keep you informed, make it easy, help you get to that good place where life is good, and the journey is the destination.

That’s when a financial guide is the way to go.

What’s different about Our Approach?

We really get to know you.2021-12-16T01:22:31-08:00

At Gates Pass, the first step of financial planning is creating a trusted relationship, so we can talk openly about all aspects of your money situation. To be your go-to guide, we must go beyond the typical “Where are all your assets?” conversation. In our initial meetings, we get to know what you really want your money to do for you, what worries you, what excites you, what you are looking forward to or want to do your best to avoid. Even how you prefer to communicate. Only then can we deliver our unique level of personal, holistic financial guidance.

We help you navigate all the financial parts of your life.2021-12-16T01:23:25-08:00

While the financial services industry tends to focus only on investments, we’re here to help you navigate all parts of your financial life.  A big key to that is our own individual, broad-based technical expertise. As important are the strong, collaborative relationships we maintain with our go-to team of financial specialists. Just like a general contractor does for custom home-building, we’re able to build customized solutions for any financial situation, no matter how complex. It’s our job to make sure they all work well together, efficiently, in communication with each other, focused on your unique situation and goals.

We help you with both sides of money.2021-12-16T01:23:49-08:00

There is no shortage of advisors, firms and even online solutions out there to help you with the technical side of your money. Both sides are equally important and complex, but it’s the personal side that drives decision-making. We don’t just cover both sides, we connect them, helping you understand how each affects the other, so you can confidently, consistently make financial decisions that are just right for you and stand the test of time.

We don’t lock you in up front.2021-12-16T01:24:15-08:00

Our first focus is creating your overall plan, not gathering all your assets. Which means, unlike most firms, we don’t require you to move your assets over and lock them in with us right up front. Before we implement a portfolio strategy, we help you understand the many options, tools and solutions available. By focusing on your plan first, you’ll feel confident about the selected strategy, and be on the best path to ride out uncertainties, take advantage of opportunities, and achieve your ultimate goals.

How It Works

1. Initial Consultation2021-12-06T14:38:43-08:00

A detailed discussion of financial and non-financial goals.

Develop a clear understanding of your goals for engaging a financial advisor.

Address key areas such as:

  • Current financial status
  • Life milestones and personal goals
  • Ideal vision of your present and future life
  • Generational needs
  • Near and long-term anticipated needs

And review the “What if?” concerns that could impact your or your family’s results:

  • Premature death or disability
  • Market volatility
  • Higher expenses than anticipated
  • Unexpected opportunity
  • Long term care needs
2. Building Your Financial Profile2021-12-06T14:40:13-08:00

Here, we gather and evaluate detailed information and documents around important areas that include the following:

  • Cash flow – income, expenses, and anticipated changes
  • Income taxes
  • Investments: liquid and illiquid
  • Asset allocation and diversification
  • Protection needs and safety nets
  • Your risk capacity and risk tolerance
  • Legacy plan
3. Designing Your Plan2021-12-06T14:45:01-08:00

Comprehensive Analysis

This is where we sit down and review together:

  • Where you would like to go and what you want.  What you would like to experience with regards to your money, present and future.
  • How your current situation aligns with present and future interests and needs.
  • If adjustments are recommended to get to your goal, which ones are possible – and acceptable to you.
  • The potential impact on your taxes, portfolio and estate plan of adjustments
  • What conversations or reviews would be helpful to clarify any ambiguous areas.

Personalized Plan Recommendations 

Develop a plan with specific recommendations to achieve your financial goals.

  • An agreement on the path that most effectively gets you to your destination
  • An implementation plan with agreed upon prioritization and timeline of tasks and steps.

Personal Investment Policy

We develop a written personal investment policy to reflect your specific investment strategy. This will incorporate:

  • Expectations, objectives and guidelines in the investment of the portfolio assets
  • The investment structure including permitted asset classes and permissible ranges of exposure
  • Asset allocation parameters designed to meet objectives of long term returns in alignment with risk tolerance and risk capacity
  • Manager selection – investment managers for implementation of the agreed upon asset allocation plan
  • Ongoing and open communication
4. Implementing Your Customized Strategy2021-12-06T14:48:45-08:00

Coordinate

  • Coordinate with your other advisors in the areas of cash flow, tax, insurance and estate planning.

Allocate

  • Allocate to carefully selected investment managers for each asset class.
  • Incorporates both passive and active styles of investing as appropriate.
5. Ongoing – Monitoring, Analyzing, and Reviewing Results2021-12-06T14:50:29-08:00

We keep your planning current and address any personal changes that would affect your implemented strategy.

Monitor and Assess Market Conditions

Regularly monitor market conditions and the performance of your portfolio. When appropriate, we make changes to the investment strategy after taking into consideration your cash flow needs, tax consequences and goals and objectives.

Plan Review Meetings

A key part of our role as Personal Financial Guides is to make ourselves as accessible to you as possible. We’d much rather have you reach out to us than worry at home, waiting for us to contact you for our next meeting. Bottom line – our time together is whatever serves you best to be able to effectively address next steps, whether that be self-care or focus on task completion tied to a deadline.

  • Monthly – We typically meet monthly when going through the financial planning process and then quarterly thereafter.
  • Quarterly – to validate plan assumptions vs real life and address the current market and economic environment and portfolio implementation. In addition to meeting personally, you will receive timely and informative Quarterly Performance Reports.
  • Weekly – Sometimes, during a particularly trying transition we meet to touch base weekly.

READY TO GET THERE ?

We’d love to help you get on that peaceful path where your money is doing exactly what you want for your life.

READY TO
GET THERE ?

We’d love to help you get on that peaceful path where your money is doing exactly what you want for your life.

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