Since 1989 I've been helping families build generational investment plans based upon historically defensible returns.

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Are You Approaching Retirement? Perhaps I Can Help.

My name is Michael Paulding Thomas. I'm a German-American independent Investment Advisor and Securities Principal that specializes in retirement income planning for the middle-class.As nearly as you can tell, when you think of your retirement, does it seem more probable that you will outlive your money or that your money will outlive you?Here's what I offer: a no-cost, no-obligation second opinion.If you're open to it, I'd like to have relaxed and easy-going conversation with you about your financial goals and portfolio. If I think your investments continue to be well-suited to your retirement, I'll gladly tell you so, and be on my way.If, on the other hand, I think some of your strategies no longer fit with your goals, I'll explain why in plain English and recommend some alternatives.

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1: Counter-Cultural

Much of the way I conduct my business can be described as going upstream to the traditional financial industry and often times against conventional wisdom. I commit to always tell you the plain, unvarnished truth, especially when you may not want to hear it.Investment Philosophy - I am goal-focused and long-term oriented in an industry that will always be market-focused and short-term performance-driven.Investment Strategy - I believe in historically defensible, broadly diversified equity mutual funds vs the current "hot" du jour investment of the moment. I am data-based and fact-driven.

2: Do What's Right

As the name of this site suggests, putting my clients first has been my guiding philosophy since I started in this industry in 1989.I’m a fiduciary advisor. That means I am legally and ethically obligated to act solely in your best interest. My loyalty is solely to you, not to any company or product vendor. My goal is to help you build a retirement that truly reflects your needs, your goals, and your peace of mindWhen I sit with a client I ask myself, "What would I do for myself and my family if I were in this situation?" Then that's what I recommend.This includes the way I charge fees. Lower costs for you takes precedence over my income.

“I want to be happy by doing well by doing good.” ―Michael“Don’t sell anything you wouldn’t buy yourself.” ―Charlie Munger“The truth tellers have no competition.” ―Nick Murray

3: Make a Complex Subject Simple

I keep my presentations, explanations, strategies and investments as simple as possible. I don't use fancy jargon nor try to impress you with sophisticated language, charts and graphs. I cut through the industry's noise and complexity and provide a simple answer.

“Everything must be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.” ―Albert Einstein

4: Behavioral Coaching

At the end of an investor’s life, 95% of his total lifetime return will come from how the investor behaved. And the primary determinant of that behavior will be the quality of the advice he got, or didn’t get. I believe you will do far better in real life with an empathetic, tough-loving behavioral coach than you will on your own.

“Without an adequately compensated advisor to help with selection and discipline, the individual investor will simply make all the classic and horrendous mistakes.” ―Nick Murray“People make better decisions with financial advisors.” ―Robert Shiller, Nobel Prize-winning economist

This essay started in 1989 when I entered into the investment business and began cataloging my beliefs and insights. This is the current edition of my original notes.

With over three decades in the Investment Advising business, I can attest that this is the simplest and most effective investment book I’ve ever read.If this book resonates with you, then you’ll enjoy working with me. If it doesn’t, you won’t.