Investment Philosophy

A well-thought-out and disciplined portfolio management process increases the probability of successfully meeting your goals.  Without such a process, outcomes are left largely to chance.

Commencement Financial Planning LLC adheres to an investment philosophy that provides a solid foundation for prudently managing investment portfolios.  This philosophy is based on a collection of fundamental principles proven to greatly increase the probability of success:

Properly assess your risk tolerance

This leads to a portfolio best suited to your goals and one you’ll be able to stick with during good times and bad.

Properly assess your time horizon

Risks over the short term vs. long term are different and must be properly considered.

Diversify

It’s age-old adage not to have all your eggs in one basket, but many seem to think it doesn’t apply to them. That is, until it’s too late.  Diversify.

Be fee-aware

Fees are a major impediment to long-term investment performance.  Higher fees means the less you get to keep.

Be tax-aware

Though taxes are inevitable, strategies should be implemented to maximize after-tax returns.

Rebalance

Appropriate rebalancing ensures a portfolio's risk and return characteristics remain consistent over time.

Have a formal Investment Policy Statement

A well-constructed Investment Policy Statement provides the decision-making framework necessary for proper and prudent portfolio management.

Understand your strategy and how various investments complement it

If you don't understand how an investment complements your overall strategy, you should either gain that understanding or not own it.

Keep it simple

Investing should only be as complex as necessary.

"Believe me, no. I thank my fortune for it— My ventures are not in one bottom trusted, Nor to one place, nor is my whole estate Upon the fortune of this present year. Therefore my merchandise makes me not sad."

William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice (1.1.41-45).

Complimentary Initial Meeting

Complimentary "Get Aquainted" meeting to describe our services and to see if our services are right for you.