Helping Middle-Class Families Make Smart Choices About Their Retirement Since 1989.

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Are You Approaching Retirement? Perhaps I Can Help You Build A Comfortable Income For Your Golden Years.

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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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 - be goal-focused and long-term oriented in an industry that will always be market-focused and short-term performance-driven.Investment Strategy - use historically defensible, broadly diversified equity mutual funds vs the current "hot" du jour investment of the moment.

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.When 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“The truth tellers have no competition.” ―Nick Murray

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

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.

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.When 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.

“I want to be happy by doing well by doing good.” ―Michael“The truth tellers have no competition.” ―Nick Murray

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

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

Each month I email-out my client newsletter.Itincludes Nick's Murray Client's Corner, the financial-tip-of-the-month, financial book-of-the-month, podcast-of the-month, video-of-the-month, and much more.I will to not spam you nor share your email with others.

Using a 529-Plan is a wonderful way save for your child’s college education. However, there are both positive, and negative, caveats.Read my free report to learn about who qualifies, restrictions, options if your child doesn’t go to college, and much more.

Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act allows individuals with mild to severe disabilities to open investment accounts (ie, mutual funds).In my free report you'll learn exactly what they are, who is eligible and how to use them.

In this report you'll learn what insurance agents won’t tell, and which of the two types of life insurance is better for your family.

In this report you'll learn the 5 facts of Uniform Transfers to Minor Accounts and how to gift money to your kids with tax-breaks.

In this free report you'll learn Learn why there is often a difference between the performance of the individual investor and the performance of his/her investment.

In this free report you'll learn how Re-Balancing counter-acts human nature's flawed investment strategy.

In this free report you'll learn why investing in consistent intervals, regardless of the current market, is a superior investment strategy.

In this free report you'll learn what the six most important actions families can take regarding their finances and investments.

"When I got into the insurance industry 30+ years ago, I happened upon this book and it changed the direction of my career - meaning, focusing on recommending term life insurance, which was better for my clients but less so for my pocketbook." -Michael

"This is certainly the only estate planning book you’ll ever need. Highly recommended." -Nick Murray