I believe it is my job to ensure--to the best of my ability--that clients achieve their financial goals.

This can only happen, of course, by starting with a clear understanding of your financial goals. That's why at the outset I spend a great deal of time with new clients, to find out about your work, your family, hobbies, hopes and dreams. Only then can we be satisfied that we've developed a plan that should work for you.

My objective is to look for consistent, above-average returns over the long term. I don't try to make every last percentage point or dollar, or try to "time the market" to make short-term gains in either the stock or bond markets.

Since the beginning of my financial planning career in 1983, I chose mutual funds and variable annuities (as opposed to individual stocks, which are more difficult to research long- term) as the primary investment vehicles for my clients. This was long before these types of investments became the most popular investment tools in existence. In my opinion, mutual funds are a terrific way for people to invest in diversified, professionally-managed portfolios providing them with excellent vehicles for reaching their individual goals--whether that's to retire early, send your children to an Ivy League school, or buy that vacation home you've always dreamed of.