Leverage Consulting

My Mutual Funds...

Here is the list of the mutual funds I hold in my Roth IRA and Rollover IRA accounts.

Excelsior Value and Restructuring - UMBIX - 15% - Large cap fund

Vanguard S&P 500 Index - VFINX - 25% - Large cap fund

Bridgeway Ultra Small Company - BRSIX - 20% - Small cap fund

Bridgeway Aggressive Investors 2 - BRAIX - 10% - Mid cap fund

Dodge and Cox International - DODFX - 20% - International fund

Dodge and Cox Income - DODIX - 10% - Bond fund

Generally speaking I would suggest more index funds if you are only investing in an IRA than I hold in the above accounts.  I also hold mutual funds in my employer's 401k in which I put more weight on index funds.

If you are able to max out your IRA and 401k and need a place to put even more extra cash (great job, by the way), then you should just focus your 'taxable' account almost completely with index funds.  This is because of tax implications.

'Talk about FULL DISCLOSURE';  ask your broker for his/her list (they probably won't provide it).  And by posting this, I truly hope you are able to use it to your advantage.  If you are using a broker, I would challenge you to give this list to your broker and ask him/her why they can not provide a better list (they can't).  (Just to get you ready)...this will put them on the defensive which is when you will have to start looking for the smoke and mirrors; i.e., they will suggest that over a 30-year period their funds will outperform; the problem with that is that they won't let you hold anything for near that long...they need you to move your money around to make money themselves.

KEEP IN MIND:  Everybody has different needs based on their current situation.  Don't assume the above is a one-size-fits-all portfolio.  Email me at:  jw@leverage-consulting.com with questions regarding your specific situation.   

Update on full disclosure...

I received a message yesterday that reminded me to update my full disclosure.

I recently switched from ING Direct for my emergency fund to HSBC Direct.

Very simple choice actually...ING is at 4.5% APR, HSBC is at 5.05% APR.  Another added bonus that set HSBC Direct apart is their introductory rate; they are offering 6% APR through April 30th (3 full months) for all 'new' money.

HSBC offers the same benefits as ING; No fees, no minimums, no nothing.  And easily linked to your checking for a free 2-3 day transfer anytime you need it. 

If you are making the switch from ING Direct, (like I did) you just made an extra $55 this year on every $10K invested + the extra 1% for 3 mos (an add'l $25 for every $10K).  Total = $80. 

Full Disclosure

I like to be upfront and honest about what I invest in, where I do it, etc.

All too often financial reps/advisor's want you to invest in certain products, but yet you don't even know for sure what they are invested in...are they suggesting to you what they are actually doing themselves...or again is the bias playing a role...

Bank for Checking:  Chase (purely a local decision...they have ATMs everywhere in Indy)

Online Brokerage:  Scottrade--only for individual stocks--Although most investors need to concentrate on mutual funds only, and definitely make sure you are maxing out your IRA and 401k before moving to individual stocks.

Roth IRA:  Fidelity.com -- no fee IRAs, auto investing

Rollover IRA:  Fidelity.com -- I rolled over a 401k to Fidelity to give myself control of the investments, but still keep the tax advantage.

Emergency Fund:  ING Direct -- no fees, no minimums, auto investing and currently paying 4.5% APR (on a side note...HSBC.com is pretty much the same thing and they pay 5.05% APR)

Of course, you can link up all of these accounts to your checking.

I wouldn't suggest anything that I wouldn't do myself! 

Keep checking back, soon I will provide my list of mutual funds and my allocations...

What can I do for YOU?

Leverage Consulting offers fee-only personal financial advice. 

Fee-only advice is the only advice that is 100% objective and always puts your interests first. 

I have no connections with any financial institutions of any kind, i.e., my advice is 100% my advice.  There is good and bad with that; the good:  as mentioned above there is outside influence on my advice;  the bad:  I don't physically manage your money.  So, you still have to physically manage your accounts, but I can also help you with that. 

I have found that most individuals just need help with their IRAs, 401ks, or Rollovers.  These accounts are so easy to manage yourself if you know what to buy.  That is where Leverage Consulting comes in;  I will help you put together a portfolio of funds based on your individual needs.  You can either use my blog postings as your guide (and read a few books, etc.) or you can utilize my expertise to help.  Either way, when you take control of your finances my goal has been met.

My fees are based upon your needs and 100% individualistic to your situation.  Email me at:  jw@leverage-consulting.com for more information.

Leverage Consulting also offers small business consulting.

This is an area that is highly-undefined.  I can help you with everything from business plans to transitional strategy for existing businesses.  Every business has unique goals and one of my goals is to help you get to your goals.  Email me to discuss your situation and together we can decide where Leverage Consulting fits in.