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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Is any of the firm’s revenue derived from commission-based products?

A. No. We provide fee-only services for investment management and/or personal financial planning.

Q. Can I be assured that my personal financial information will remain secure and confidential?

A. We work with tight professional disciplines within a well-defined regulatory environment. Our reputation is the basis for our continued standing in the professional community from which we draw many of our prospective clients.

Q. Will I be involved in the investment decisions?

A. Absolutely.  Your input during the investment planning phase will determine your risk tolerance and investment time horizon.  Our recommendations will be based on your preferences and specific needs.  You will be presented with these recommendations before the assets are purchased, so that you can endorse, modify, or reject any particular item.

Q. What does Foldes Financial Management, LLC’s investment performance look like?

A. Since every client has different goals and time horizons, we do not have a “typical” client portfolio. Instead, each portfolio reflects the time horizon, return objectives, risk tolerance and personal goals of the owner. One of the major things that you will learn working with us is that performance is not the primary factor in determining the success of a portfolio. Risk and your time horizon are crucial factors. The asset allocation strategies employed are what contribute most to help clients reach their goals. Our firm’s goal is to help our clients sleep well at night while they achieve their goals.

Q. How does my 401(k) or other retirement program fit into the investment plan?

A. Company-sponsored 401(k), pension, profit sharing, 403(b), deferred compensation, and other plans administered by present employers will be incorporated into the overall portfolio design.  For plans held with former employers, it is usually more beneficial to roll those assets to an IRA where they can be more fully diversified, managed, and monitored. 

Q. How can I evaluate the cost-benefit trade-off for the advice you offer?

A. Your pay-back can often be measured in immediate benefits, both financial and emotional. The greatest benefit may be the satisfaction of feeling organized and confident enough to take action, and knowing that you have an experienced financial professional helping you to achieve your goals.

Q. Can I receive regular periodic withdrawals from my portfolio?

A. Yes. A goal of many clients is to receive consistent income from their investments throughout retirement, while maintaining the growth of their portfolio. Another is to plan for occasional distributions from funds obtained through windfalls or inheritances. These amounts can be transferred from your managed accounts directly to your checking account.

Q. Can’t I really do all this myself? Why is it necessary to retain Foldes Financial to provide services I am perfectly capable of performing on my own?

A. Of course you can do all of this yourself, the assistance we provide clients is not rocket science. What is most important to remember are the three “T”s – Time, Training, and Temperament. Most people lead active, full lives, even in retirement. What they don’t want to do is take the time to do the design, research, creation, implementation, and monitoring of all the aspects of their financial lives. We do. Training can be obtained, but through much time and expense, and again, who wants to do it? We’re constantly learning new strategies and techniques and bringing state-of-the-art technology to bear for our clients’ benefit. Finally, temperament, and this is the toughest one. Both academic and real-world studies have proved conclusively the same thing: most investors act exactly the opposite of what is necessary to achieve the best results. It takes a great deal of discipline to go against all of the noise and speculation. That’s our strongest suit and the biggest benefit for our clients. Our value is at least as great in keeping clients from making the wrong decisions, as it is in helping them make the right ones. We’ll also push you a bit, educate you a lot, add the creative discipline and the motivation to act, plus systematic follow-up and review. We become a resource to which you can turn whenever necessary.

"Choosing a financial planner may be one of the most important decisions you make for yourself and your loved ones. Financial planners can provide you and your family with guidance over your lifetime, or work with you to address specific concerns as needed. Regardless of how you choose to work together, a planner can play a central role in helping you meet your life goals and achieve financial well-being. Consequently, take the time to select a financial planner who is competent and trustworthy, one on whom you can depend for professional advice and services."

For more information, please visit their web site at www.cfp-board.org/cons_wysc.html

Certified Financial Planner ® is a federally registered mark of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.