ADVISORY FINANCIAL SERVICES
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in our relationship with you, our client. We endeavor to know and understand your financial situation and provide you with only the highest quality information, services, and products to help you reach your goals.
A TEACHER'S APPROACH
Successful investment planning is part of the overall financial planning process. Before you begin to assess specific investment vehicles and decide where to put your money, you need to understand your financial situation fully, develop your goals and establish a timetable to accomplish them. In short, you need to know where you are and how you want to proceed prior to building an investment plan. ThatÃs what we help you do get organized make sure you understand what your current investments are and most importantly do they match your goals? Some of our clients think of us as financial teachers.
Some of the things that might be learned are:
Asset classes
Investments can be grouped into three general categories or asset classes:
Cash/money market securities a conservative investment that pays a current rate of interest; often represents a short-term loan to the most credit worthy companies or government agencies.
Bonds represent a loan to a company or a government agency, generally issued for longer periods of time, usually one to 30 years.
Stocks often referred to as "equities," stocks represent ownership of a company and are considered a higher-risk investment.
Diversification
A diversified investment approach spreads your money among several investment classes and types with different levels of risk. Diversification is based on the likelihood that the market values of some investments in your portfolio will go up while the market values of others go down. It helps reduce overall risk but may not protect against the possibility of losing some or all of the money invested.
Market risk
Market risk means the level that your principal investment fluctuates, causing your shares to be worth more or less than the original cost when sold. Some people can tolerate more risk while seeking higher returns. Others cannot and want more stable returns, even if the total return over time may be lower.
Dollar cost averaging
Choose a consistent amount of money to invest on a regular basis. The process is called dollar cost averaging. When the price of each fund share is low, youÃll buy more shares. When shares are high, youÃll buy fewer of them. When you sell, you may have purchased more shares for less than if you tried to guess the top or bottom price of the market. Although it cannot assure a profit, dollar cost averaging has proven successful in good times and bad. The longer the period of regular investing, the better dollar cost averaging may help smooth out the cost basis.
Types of Products & Services
"Variety" is a one-word description of the many investment choices available, such as mutual funds or variable annuity sub accounts. There are many such product types from which you can choose ó conservative, aggressive, income, growth, value, growth and income, balanced, domestic, international, large cap, mid cap, small cap, stocks, bonds to name a few. We carefully assess investment vehicles before deciding on a specific investment for your plan.
Figuring out your investment style
Knowing your investment style will go a long way in helping you make investment decisions.
Perhaps you want a potentially high level of return on your investments and are willing to take on higher levels of risk to get it. On the other hand, you may be someone who is most comfortable with a lower level of risk and slower, but less volatile potential investment gains.
Risk simply means the level that your principal investment fluctuates, causing shares to be worth more or less than the original cost when sold. Assessing your tolerance for risk is the major factor in determining your investment style.
How much risk can you tolerate?
Consider the following statements. Your thoughtful response to each one will help you evaluate your risk tolerance and set the stage for establishing your investment style.
1. I am willing to tolerate annual returns that vary:
2. I am bothered by periodic declines in the value of an investment, even if it gets potentially higher returns over the long term.
3. I plan to begin using money from my investments in:
20+ years
16-20 years
11-15 years
6-10 years
5 or fewer years
Where does your investment style fit?
Generally, younger people are more willing to assume greater investment risks. Retirees, on the other hand, are usually more conservative.
Are you a short-term or long-term investor? Your response will help to determine the kinds of investment vehicles that best fit your style.
Balance risk with the time you have to reach your goals
Generally, the more time you have before you need the money, the more risk you may wish to take in seeking higher returns. Once your choices are made, stick with them until your situation or objectives change.
Many investment products are sold by prospectus only. By law, the investment provider must give you a prospectus to review before you invest. Read it carefully. The prospectus will help you to identify the potential risk of the investment you are considering as well as provide other information about the investment objectives, fees, charges and expenses as they apply to the return on your investment.
In the end, itÃs up to you. Determine your investment style, and then apply it as you make financial decisions ó today and in the years ahead.
A Relationship Management Strategy That Works for You
Advisory Financial Services has over 20 years of investment management experience throughout our market areas to bring you the highest quality advisory services available today.
As your financial Advisor we will work with you to determine your unique goals, tolerance for risk and specific preferences and then work with our team of qualified specialists in the areas of investments, trusts, tax planning, administration, private banking, insurance and estate planning to develop a strategy that will work for you. Our unique combination of personal service and state-of-the-art technology will provide you with the highest level of client service available in the industry. As your advisor we will work with you on an ongoing basis, proactively monitoring your goals, and adjusting your strategy to keep pace with your changing personal or business goals. Advisory Financial Services, can offer you a perfect blend of experience, integrity, technology and personal attention that will make the process of reaching your financial goals easier for you through our guidance.
Securities offered through Triad Advisors, Inc.
A registered broker/dealer. Member FINRA & SIPC.