Month: March 2015

Why are you fee-only and what does that mean?

sharkeyhowesandjaver Planners , , , ,

Team
Why are you fee-only and what does that mean?

We are often asked about our decision to be a fee-only financial planning firm. The term ‘fee’ occasionally throws people off, and we thought we should share about our decision and how it benefits our clients.

When we started the firm in 1990, we made the decision that we didn’t want to be bound to commissions. We wanted the freedom to make decisions based on the unique needs and goals of our clients. In short, we decided to be fee-only before fee-only was cool.

At the most basic level, fee-only simply means we are compensated solely by our clients, not by commission. As fee-only planners, we don’t earn commission from sales and we do not sell our clients products. Instead, we are required to act in the best interest of our clients — an important distinction.

At SH&J, we are paid by a percentage of the money under our management, and a flat fee for financial planning. In essence, our clients pay for our advice and our responsible investment management.

As fee-only planners, we are also proud members of NAPFA, the National Association of Personal Finance Advisors. You can read more about NAPFA standards here. We think the Wall Street Journal summarized their standards and fee-only planners well when they said, “They accept no commissions at all and pledge to act in their clients’ best interests at all times. In many respects, NAPFA standards meet or surpass the requirements needed for a CFP credential,” source.

We’d love to meet with you to talk more about our firm and discuss how we can partner together to help you plan, invest and succeed. Contact us today >

Meet Amy Geist

sharkeyhowesandjaver SH&J Team , , ,

AmyName: Amy Geist

Title: Client Service

SH&J team member since: November, 2014

 

As the newest team member of SH&J, what have you enjoyed most about working here so far?

I’ve enjoyed getting to know the team and everyone’s diverse backgrounds and knowledge.   I’ve been impressed with SH&J’s culture and everything we stand for. It’s been rewarding to be a part of something so grand.

We hear you love to cook. What’s your favorite meal to make?

I enjoy cooking almost anything as long as it’s for great company. I believe food brings people together and forces them to interact and communicate. My favorite meal to make is Thanksgiving dinner with my mom. I usually go to her house in the morning and we watch the parade while we make stuffing, spaetzles, and the usual traditional family recipes. Having people enjoy something you made is so rewarding.

If you could have any super power what would it be?

I would have the power to create a soundtrack based off of what was happening at the time. I think the ability to have a certain song play that corresponds with an occurrence would highlight and deepen it. Just like it does during a movie, but it would be for life in general.

What’s the best thing you have ever gifted to someone?

I think the best gift you can give someone else is the gift they wouldn’t think of or buy themselves. The thought and meaning behind the gift is ultimately what it’s about. Every year I used to buy my dad a gift but would always feel like I could do better, so a few years ago I baked him cookies and mailed them to him. He was so excited and surprised and now he asks for them every year instead of me buying him something else. Sometimes the littlest things have the biggest impact.

If you could do anything, and money wasn’t a factor but you still had to work, what would you do?

I would assist local animal shelters and organizations. I am a huge animal lover and believe you should help those who do not have a voice to help themselves.

Inside the Economy with SH&J

sharkeyhowesandjaver Economic Discussion Series, Economy

Economic_ScreenshotOur economic discussions are on a temporary hiatus this month which gives you some time to catch up! You can view the whole library of discussions on our website.

While we are on hiatus, we would still love to hear from you.

What questions do you have about our discussions? Is there anything specific you would like us to touch on in future discussions? Please share your comments below!

Thanks for continuing to tune in. We will be back with a new discussion the week of April 13th.

5 Personal Finance Tips for Everyone

sharkeyhowesandjaver Uncategorized

Brown Wallet with credit cards and dollar banknotes over woodenPersonal finance is important whether you are just starting out or have been in the game a while. Here at SH&J, we know how you manage your personal finances directly impacts the success of your complete financial plan. We’ve pulled together five tips anyone can use to help manage their own finances.

  1. Start Early
    There’s no time like the present to start working on your personal finances. The sooner you start saving and investing your money, the better off you will likely be in the long run. Seek advice from a Certified Financial Planner™, read books and blogs on finances to gain knowledge, and find tools to help you stay on track. We also recommend talking to your kids about money from an early age to help set them on the right financial path.
  1. Know Where Your Money Goes
    Have you ever come to the end of a month and wondered where your monthly paycheck really went? If so, you’re not the only one. Staying on top of your personal finances means paying attention to where your money goes. Find a system that works for you. Some prefer online tools for tracking expenses, while others need to carry a notebook and write everything down. Whatever the system, make sure you pay attention to how your money is being spent.
  1. Learn Self Control
    At any age or stage of life, it can be difficult to say no to the vacation, night out on the town or those new shoes. But, the practice of self-control can lead to much greater monetary achievements. When you really want to purchase an item or experience, give it a couple of days before pulling the trigger. Consider whether what you want is really what you need, and how your decision will impact your long term goals. By learning to delay unnecessary purchases, you may free up more money to save and invest elsewhere.
  1. Simplify Your Life
    It’s easy to get caught in the race to keep up with the Joneses – a bigger house, the newest car model, the latest fashion. Rather than trying to keep up, simplify. Warren Buffet, one of the world’s richest men, still resides in the home he bought in Omaha, Nebraska in 1957 for $31,500 (source). When it comes to finances, focusing on the big picture, while keeping your life as simple as possible, often leads to greater success.
  1. Take Control
    Instead of being a passive bystander, take the reins of your personal finances. Build a team you can trust, from your banker to your financial planner to a trusted friend or family member, people who will hold you accountable. Stay in touch with your team, and pay close attention to the information they send you such as quarterly reports. Take an active interest in not only where your money goes, but also how it grows.

Personal finances can be tricky at times, but with the right tools and a commitment to seeing your goals come to fruition, you can find financial success. Take our tips and implement them into your personal finance strategy. If you need help creating a more in-depth financial plan, we’d love to talk. Reach out today.

Inside the Economy with SH&J: March 2, 2015

sharkeyhowesandjaver Economic Discussion Series, Economy, Larry Howes , , , ,

As we head into the Spring, Larry brings us up to speed on energy and the economy, including a fascinating look at the new Harriet Jet Turbine by GE. We also get an overview on various types of loans, population and it’s relation to economics, as well as an update regarding the European Central Bank’s decision on Greece.

How do you manage investments?

sharkeyhowesandjaver Investing, Videos , , , , ,

Great relationships are formed by taking time to get to know each other. That’s exactly how we start our investment management process with you.

We want to:

  • Learn about who you are
  • Discover your goals
  • Understand your risk tolerance

 

 

As Stephen said in the video, “We know our clients are unique and canned plans just don’t fit.” So once we have gotten to know each other, we begin building a customized portfolio.

Our portfolios typically include:

  • Mutual Funds
  • ETFs
  • Individual Stocks and Bonds

After we have built your portfolio, we continue to monitor your investments. We meet regularly to take a hard look at market trends and the global economy. We work on your portfolios as a team in order to make the best possible decisions with our client’s investments.

As the years go by and circumstances change, we will continue to meet with you to update your goals and make changes to your portfolio. Our goal is to not only have you as a client, but also as a friend.

If you’d like to learn more about our investment management process or our other services, please give us a call at 303.639.5100.