If you’re thinking of managing your money, you’re probably thinking of making the right
stock investment or beating the market. Well, let’s face reality; long-term financial
success isn’t based on a single decision, whether investing in a particular stock or
beating the market. It’s more than that.

This is where a wealth manager comes in.

A wealth manager is more than just an investment manager; they’re looking at the big
picture. This includes retirement planning, taxes, risk management, and long-term goal
setting. They’re looking at a plan to support not just growth, but also stability and
confidence.
The greatest advantage of a structured financial plan is avoiding emotional decisions.
According to DALBAR’s long-term investor behavior study, the average investor has
historically underperformed the stock market by several percentage points every year
because of poor timing decisions. This includes buying high and selling low.
Tax efficiency is another place where small changes can result in big outcomes.
Research has revealed that implementing a tax-efficient investment strategy can
increase investment returns by as much as 1-2%. Although this may not sound like a
lot, over a long period, this can add up significantly.
As goals get closer, risk management becomes more critical. Take, for instance, the
2008 financial crisis, where the S&P 500 index fell by as much as 37% in a single year.
If you are close to retirement, a fall like this can take many years to recover from, but a
balanced portfolio will help reduce this risk.
At Vertis Wealth, the focus is on developing a comprehensive financial plan that is
geared towards the client’s needs. Instead of being reactive to short-term market
movements, the focus is on developing a plan that will lead to long-term success and
give clients confidence in their financial decisions.
At the end of the day, financial success is not about trying to predict the market; it is
about having a good plan and sticking to it.