First a plan, then a portfolio
Focused strategies for long term investment success
Planning
Come As You Are...
We are here to help, whether you recently updated your plan but are looking for a new advisory relationship or are considering an advisor for the first time. We understand the reluctance to change and are keenly aware that gathering information and finding the time for planning is daunting. More so, opening up about what truly matters is very challenging when working with someone new. We get it.
At Aspire, we make every effort to simplify the planning process. We listen to your life's story and discover what is important to you. Then we begin the collaborative effort to create a plan that aligns your values, goals and resources. We have faith in our ability to deliver meaningful results and provide a relationship your family deserves.
We believe in the power of planning to create the freedom to live your best life. On your terms. In pursuit of your highest aspirations.
Who We Serve
At our firm, we focus on serving two distinct groups of clients who share a common goal — making their money work purposefully toward lasting freedom and peace of mind.
Together, we bring clarity and confidence to every stage of your financial journey.
Foundation Planning
We have a 4-meeting process that culminates in a collaborative plan that resonates with intention, purpose, and a clear financial vision.
We invest the time to get to know you, understand your goals and objectives, examine your assets and liabilities so that we can formulate planning solutions and customize the relationship to your preferences.
Your current condition is analyzed to see what adjustments are needed to ensure the base plan is on solid ground. Wherever there is a gap that needs to be addressed, we discuss each issue and guide you through recommendations.
The cornerstone of the plan is the income strategy from your savings/investments, so that work is completely optional on the date of your choosing.
Investment Strategy
Aspire’s philosophy is that we do not add value by timing markets or selecting stocks that might outperform. The good news? Nobody else does either. Research is quite clear that being diversified and acting on a plan - not reacting to markets- produces the long-term investing results our clients require.
We Are The Stewards of Your Plan
As the steward of your plan, Aspire adheres to best practices and time-tested strategies in portfolio management. We use benchmarks to evaluate relative performance; however, the critical benchmark is the target return of your plan. We don’t need to “beat the market”, we need to achieve the planning targets we’ve forecasted.
Portfolios are generally constructed using diversified exchange traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds from Dimensional Funds, Vanguard, iShares and Schwab.
Long-Term Investment Success - Focus on What You Control
Our team, together with our clients, has navigated challenging market environments, such as the Tech Bubble, the Financial Crisis, the Great Recession, Covid, and the 2022 bear market. Along the way, we've also shared personal milestones—births, weddings, divorces, promotions, business sales, and funerals. Life happens, so we plan accordingly.
Guiding clients through turbulent markets and personal challenges requires keen focus on what is controllable. We have learned that connecting investment policy to the great goals of a client’s financial plan is critical to helping a client overcome the urge to “make a change” based on current events. Reacting is natural, but it should be avoided in favor of acting on your plan.
Transparent Monitoring and Reporting
With our transparent planning and portfolio tools, you can easily monitor progress towards your planning goals. We provide analytical reports, including industry benchmarks and planning projections, to keep you informed about your portfolio’s performance and forecasted values when you choose to stop working and beyond.
You can check your accounts at our custodian, Charles Schwab. They send you statements, confirmations, and tax documents. You can also call their 800 number and have online access anytime. Aspire handles the administration of paperwork, provides client service support and manages the portfolios. Our whole team works on your plan, knows your story and is available in person, by phone or email during office hours. We are also accessible by cell phone after hours if important matters need our attention.
Wealth Management
Wealth Management includes investment consulting, advanced planning and relationship management. Good planning is continuous. Opportunities and threats to the plan surface all the time that might require stress testing the plan’s financial forecasts, editing the estate plan, or adjusting risk management choices.
Our experience has taught us that a well-coordinated team approach is most effective to addressing the complex challenges our clients must address. Wealth Management includes ongoing planning which is a continuous engagement where we are in regular contact with the client’s tax, legal, insurance and other key advisors. We facilitate discussions, scenario plan and conduct ongoing reviews such that each professional is current, and the plan is updated with their input.
