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Perhaps you’re wondering:
Some questions & answers
Some additional information about our services.
What type of advisory is GoalQuest? We are an independent, strictly Fee-Only Registered Investment Advisor that provides comprehensive financial planning based on each client’s individual needs and circumstances. Comprehensive financial planning is the detailed review and analysis of all facets of your financial situation — including cash flow analysis, retirement planning, risk management, investment management, tax management and estate planning.
Am I a person who could have a financial advisor? Am I wealthy enough? Are my finances complicated enough? We have clients of all kinds — mostly regular, everyday people who’ve done a good job saving money and have a goal of financial independence. Our clients also include high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, nonprofit organizations, ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) plans, and privately owned businesses.
What is GoalQuest’s investment strategy? We believe no one has a crystal ball and chasing the market rarely pays off. From our experience, markets are mostly efficient and returns are more likely to be produced by asset allocation decisions than market timing or stock picking. Attempting to time the market produces, at best, a modest premium that roughly pays for the work needed to generate it. At worst, you lose much more in herd behavior and trading fees than you gain in value.
What are the risks? Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. Investment performance can never be predicted or guaranteed, and the value of a client’s account or portfolio holdings will fluctuate due to market conditions and other factors. One of the first conversations we have with clients is about identifying the rate of return needed to support their financial plan. Then we build an investment strategy that seeks to achieve that return with the least amount of risk necessary.
You really don’t collect commissions on the products you recommend? Though many brokers and advisors do, we don’t. We never collect commissions, trailing fees, incentive fees or transaction fees. Our only compensation comes directly from our clients. That way, we can focus solely on what’s best for them.
What kinds of clients benefit most from your services and approach? GoalQuest’s clients are regular, every-day people who have done a good job saving money and building meaningful careers. This also includes high net worth individuals, families, trusts, non-profit organizations, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) plans and privately owned businesses.
What minimum asset level, if any, is required to become a client? There is no minimum asset requirement to become a client. Rather than focusing on a specific account size, we look for individuals and families who live within their means and have the ability to consistently save meaningful amounts toward their financial goals. Those habits often matter far more than current wealth when it comes to long-term financial success.
Please note that GoalQuest has a minimum annual advisory fee of $3,000.
Is financial planning available on an hourly or project basis? For clients seeking financial planning only, GoalQuest charges $200 per hour. The time required to develop a comprehensive financial plan will vary based on the complexity of each client's circumstances. At the beginning of the engagement, GoalQuest will provide an estimate of the total hours needed to complete the plan. A deposit equal to 50% of the estimated fee is due at the start of the engagement, with the remaining balance payable upon completion of the financial plan.
How do you work with clients—in person, remotely, or both? Financial planning can be conducted either in person or remotely, depending on your preference. We offer secure virtual meetings for clients who value convenience and flexibility, as well as in-person meetings for those who prefer face-to-face discussions. Our planning process is designed to provide the same high level of personalized advice and service, regardless of the meeting format.
That said, financial planning is ultimately a human experience. While technology makes it easy to meet from anywhere, there's something uniquely valuable about sitting across the table from one another. For many clients, those in-person conversations foster a deeper connection, richer dialogue, and a more engaging planning experience.
Do you provide ongoing investment management? Yes. Ongoing investment management is an important part of maintaining your financial plan and helping you stay on track toward your long-term goals. As your life and the markets change, we monitor your portfolio and make adjustments when appropriate to keep your investments aligned with your financial plan.
Our objective is to help you take no more investment risk than is necessary to achieve your goals. Modern portfolio theory teaches us that successful investing is not about taking the greatest amount of risk, instead it's about taking the right amount of risk for your unique circumstances.
Do you offer an initial consultation to determine whether we’re a good fit? Absolutely. We offer a complimentary initial consultation, which is typically conducted by phone. This conversation gives us an opportunity to learn about your goals, answer your questions, and determine whether our services are a good fit for your needs.
If we both decide to move forward, most prospective clients prefer either an in-person meeting at our office or a video call. Seeing one another often helps build rapport and trust, allowing your instincts to complement the information you're gathering as you decide whether we're the right long-term partner for your financial journey.
Can’t I do this with an AI program? Not even close. But you’re welcome to try.
For more information.
Contact us to schedule a financial consultation about your goals and dreams and how we can help you achieve them.
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