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What are the main asset classes? |
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We recognize seven major asset classes:
1. U.S. Equities
2. Foreign Equities
3. U.S. Fixed Income
4. Foreign Fixed Income
5. Real Estate
6. Natural Resources
7. Cash
At Lasecke Weil, all managed portfolios hold assets representing at least five of the seven major classes. The percentage amount or weighting of each asset class is dependent upon the concerns and risk profile of the specific client. We actively seek out the best investment vehicles in each class, and utilize stock and bond mutual funds, individual stocks and bonds, private placements, and limited partnerships. As a general rule, we will not entrust more than five percent (5%) of a clients’ portfolio to any one investment vehicle.
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What is an Investment Policy Statement? |
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We develop, in consultation with our clients, an Investment Policy Statement, which sets forth the appropriate allocations among the various asset classes for personalized portfolio management. Part of this discipline involves regular reviews and re-balancing of portfolios. Re-balancing means reducing the investment in asset classes that have grown beyond the intended allocation and transferring the proceeds to those asset classes that have declined below allocation.
View a sample Investment Policy Statement here. |
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No. Risk is unavoidable. The amount and severity of risk can usually be quantified and managed. We do our best to identify the risks our clients are exposed to, and present them with choices as to how to manage them. While investing and rates of return are uncertain, we can control, to a large degree, transaction expenses and taxes. We believe that to keep risk to a minimum, you must diversify among various investment areas: cash, U.S. and foreign stocks and bonds, real estate, and natural resources.
During the financial planning process, we work with you to determine the appropriate level of risk for your situation. Refresh meetings with you help ust to adjust the level of rick necessary to help you achieve your goals. |
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What are the benefits of Financial Planning? |
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Financial planning provides direction and meaning to your financial decisions. It allows you to understand how each financial decision you make affects other areas of your finances. For example, buying a particular investment product might help you pay off your mortgage faster or it might delay your retirement significantly. By viewing each financial decision as part of a whole, you can consider its short and long-term effects on your life goals. You can also adapt more easily to life changes and feel more secure that your goals are on track.
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What is Lasecke Weil’s six-step approach to working with clients? |
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The process involves gathering relevant financial information, setting life goals, examining your current financial status and coming up with a strategy or plan for how you can meet your goals given your current situation and future plans. Using these six steps, you can work out where you are now, what you may need in the future and what you must do to reach your goals. Click here to learn more details about LW’s six step financial program.
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What does the term “Financial Planning” really mean? |
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Financial planning is the process of meeting your life goals through the proper management of your finances. Life goals can include buying a home, saving for your child’s education or planning for retirement. The financial planning process consists of six steps that help you take a "big picture" look at where you are financially.
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What are your daily responsibilities in managing a client’s finances? |
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Our responsibility is to manage the day-to-day tactical matters of selecting, and monitoring specific investments, typically no-load mutual funds (including index funds), closed-end funds, and individual bonds – taxable or tax-free.
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Do you have access to financial experts, like accountants and lawyers? |
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Where it is appropriate, we will provide you with access to other qualified professionals for legal, banking, accounting, or insurance services and coordinate their efforts for you in order to save you time and money.
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As fee-only financial planners, we bill on an hourly basis with a two-hour minimum. As asset managers, we charge one percent (1.0%) or less per year of the investments under our responsibility. Minimum account size for active management is $1,000,000. We do not sell securities or insurance and fully disclose costs or possible conflicts of interest. Our only source of income is fees from clients.
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Do you charge for an initial consultation? |
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There is no charge for the initial interview, in which we gather information on where you are and where you want to go financially. Should you choose to retain us as financial planners, we will recommend the best ways for you to reach your objectives: a college or retirement fund, asset management or estate planning, for instance.
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