Phipps Lane » FAQ’s

FAQ’s

What is a Registered Investment Advisor?

A Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) is a fiduciary entity that has a duty of undivided loyalty to investment advisory clients and must deal fairly and honestly with them. Phipps Lane, LLC is registered as an RIA with the State of Florida. Phipps Lane, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor, is a representative of the client, you, and not any one or anything else.

What does Phipps Lane, LLC do?

We offer investment education and optimal investment behavior through the Investor Coach Experience. This may include, but is not limited to: discovering your true purpose for money, investment analysis, professional money management, asset protection, tax reduction, insurance analysis, estate planning, pensions, retirement cash flow, capital needs analysis, business succession planning, charitable giving, and general financial matters.  Through our coaching you should then be able to comfortably and confidently answer the 20 Must Answer Questions.

Who does Phipps Lane, LLC serve?

Nice people;

With resources (the “middle class millionaire”), who are

Seeking Healthy Investment Returns^TM, and may be

Sick and tired of investment under-performance or losses; or

Annoyed with excessive fees, costs and taxes.

Who can benefit most by our services?

Clients, frustrated by investment losses, or poor returns, or who may be paying too much in fees and taxes, or who are concerned with when and into what to invest; who want to stop worrying about the markets, stop the frequent speculation and gambling in their current traditional portfolios, want to enjoy better market returns, consistently and predictably, with lower risk, and who wish to plan prudently for their financial future. Clients who desire a simpler financial life by consolidating their assets into pure asset allocation portfolios with lower expenses will find our programs appealing.  Clients who wish to stop the Financial Malpractice, and cure the Financial Cancer. Clients who seek Healthy Investment Returns.

What exactly is Investor Coaching?

Investor coaching is not about having all the answers; it is primarily about asking and answering the right questions. We help you establish and reach the goals that are in sync with your personal values and purpose. Coaching helps you continue to make the good choices, and avoid the bad decisions that plague the overwhelming majority of investors – decisions that cost you tons. Coaching empowers you to achieve market returns. To achieve returns consistently and predictably, and that are substantially higher than those of the average investor. We’ll focus on reducing and managing risk, developing your investment philosophy, defeating your money demons, examining your expectations, lowering income taxes, lowering investment costs. Since the beginning of time, the financial services profession has been defined by two competing armies: the salespeople, sometimes calling themselves “financial advisors”, (who want to convince people to buy stuff to further the employer’s and the salesperson’s own bottom line) and the professional investment Coach (who provide impartial advice about the stuff those other folks are selling). The salespeople are eternally trying to blur the lines between the two groups and pose as professionals; while the Coaches are eternally trying to make those blurry lines clear again.

How much money do I need to start our Investor Coaching?

Since our minimum annual fee is $6000, we suggest you have a minimum of $600,000 to invest. This may include advice on your 401(K) or other “captive” employer retirement plans. We typically advise on 100% of our clients’ investable assets.

What are my Investor Coaching Fees?

Your investment for creating a Comprehensive Investor Inventory and Free Market Analysis typically ranges from $2,000 to $10,000. Your amount will be determined in advance and will reflect the complexity of your particular circumstances. A deposit of 50% of the proposed fee will be required when you engage us. The balance is paid when the Financial CAT Scan is delivered. This is a one-time fee. Thereafter, the ongoing fees are less than 1% (99 basis points, to be exact, in the industry jargon) per year based on MUM, usually deducted from the investment accounts so we do not disrupt your monthly cash flow.

Assets Under Management	Annual Fee
Any Amount	0.99%

* Minimum annual fee for Investment Management Services is $6,000.

Investment management fees only very occasionally may be negotiable and at the exclusive discretion of Phipps Lane, LLC and therefore may vary from client to client. That is highly unlikely. However, fees will be relatively consistent across clients of similar nature (based on factors such as number of accounts, account sizes, services provided, and complexity of account management). This is amount is subject change with advanced notice. You’ll receive lifetime coaching for all of your financial needs as long as you remain a client.

Are the Coaching Fees tax-deductible?

IRS Code Section 212 states that investment advisory and financial planning fees incurred may be deductible as miscellaneous itemized expenses to the extent that they exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income. Other miscellaneous itemized deductions, which fall into the same category, are fees paid for a safe deposit box, estate planning fees, tax preparation fees, attorney and legal fees, and more. So the short answer is fees paid for our services may be deductible; we encourage our clients to ask their accountant or CPA about the deductibility of fees.

Are your fees competitive to other providers?

Our fees are not only competitive; they’re a great value for the service provided and value added to your financial and investment planning! We’re happy to provide you an apples-to-apples comparison of the fees you’re paying (or the proposed fees you’ll pay) another “advisor” and our fees. Ours are simple to understand and reasonable. Most importantly, we believe in COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY and FULL DISCLOSURE – so we never hide or bury our fees like other brokers or “financial planners.”

Do we sell financial planning products such as investments and insurance?

We provide Investor Coaching on a fee basis. Certain products, however, can be purchased from us or other agents who are insurance licensed. If the client purchases these products, we may receive a normal commission. Thus, in that case, an apparent conflict may exist. However, we provide full disclosure to the client for them to make a prudent decision.

Does Phipps Lane, LLC invest in financial products and processes recommended to their clients?

At times, the principals and affiliated persons of Phipps Lane, LLC may also purchase similar insurance products recommended to the client. Client accounts are always given priority.  Currently we expect and require (though requirement is not necessary because it is so obviously in our own best interests) that all persons affiliated with Phipps Lane, LLC will invest all assets in exactly the same processes. Makes sense, no?

If we develop an Investor Inventory and Free Market Analyses, am I obligated to use the recommended money manager or purchase the recommended products?

NO.  But why wouldn’t you? Is there any other logical alternative?

On what types of securities do we provide advice?

None. We do not have the “expertise” to recommend any particular issue over any other. Who really does? Especially over the long-term? And how can you identify them in advance, anyway?

What method of analysis do we use to evaluate investments?

Free Market Modern Portfolio Theory and Prudent Asset Allocations. Period. Technical and cyclical analyses, as well as the fundamentals approach, economic conditions, earnings, industry outlook, politics (as it relates to investing), tactical allocations, geographic over-weighting, historical data, price-earnings ratios, dividends, general level of interest rates, management styles, private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, company management – all these have been shown to be strictly “noise”. If you are lucky, your returns will “revert to the mean” and you will receive market returns. Before fees and taxes. Probably, you will have paid exorbitantly for the “privilege.” These other approaches are as predictable and reliable as reading tea-leaves when it comes to investing. If this is what you are looking for, otherwise known as speculating and gambling, we invite you to seek “advice” elsewhere. We attempt to select the client’s investments to harmonize with your risk level, time horizon, and financial objectives. We do not stock-pick, follow track records, speculate, gamble nor market time.

Do we guarantee investment performance?

Of Course Not. Do we look like Ponzi or Maddoff? You can, however, feel confident of consistently, and reliably achieving market returns; healthy investment returns; returns that exceed that of the “average” investor. To achieve Financial Freedom and Peace of Mind.

What type of investment strategies do we generally recommend?

We make long-term recommendations through the Nobel Prize winning strategy called Modern Portfolio theory, which uses the efficient passive investment philosophy.

Will client information be kept confidential?

Yes, and anyway, it is the law. See our confidentiality agreement and privacy policy.

Once a program is completed, does our relationship end?

Of course not. Investor Coaching is a lifelong process and not a “one shot” transaction. We look forward to working with intergenerational family units. We offer ongoing service, periodic review, and day-to-day consultation as necessary. Additional fees may be charged for these services.

MORE QUESTIONS: Call my personal cell: 407/922-4689.