Q: There are a lot of firms that will invest my money. How does Appleton Group Wealth Management compare to its peers?

A: Our firm is one of only a handful of truly independent money managers in Wisconsin, and one of the nation's true pioneers in active, dynamic asset allocation strategies. We believe that the true test of any money manager firm lies in its ability to create wealth over reasonable periods of time while at the same time exposing the investor's assets to only as risk as is absolutely necessary along the way. Comparing the results of our firm's wealth management strategy is easy, since we fully disclose all portfolio performance and risk characteristics. So long as the firm you might compare us to goes as far as we do in disclosing this important information, a fair and objective comparison can be easily made.

Q: I like what I hear about your firm. How do I get started?

A: If you are an individual investor, we invite you to speak directly with one of our experienced advisors. They will listen closely to you, help identify which of our firm's investment management offerings might be best suited to you, and show you how easy it is to get started.

If you are a retirement plan sponsor, one of our advisors can introduce you to our firm's proprietary retirement plan offerings, or help you to simply add our firm's suite of investment offerings to your existing company-sponsored retirement plan.

If you are an independent investment advisor, we invite you to simply contact us. Our firm's wealth management offerings are availble through many of America's leading brokerage platforms. If you use a platform through which we are not yet available, we can work with your firm's back office to get started right away.

Q: You talk a lot about managing risk. Why is that so important?

A: By effectively managing investment risk, we believe investors will achieve the highest possible returns ove rtime. We also believe it can lead to a more comfortable experience along the way. During every bear market in the history of capitalism, investors have been exposed to periods of great uncertainty. To the large number of Americans set to retire in the next ten years, financial uncertainty just before retirement is quite unwelcome, not only causing undue stress but also potentially forcing lifestyle changes as well. By working to keep investment losses to acceptable levels when they inevitably do occur, investors will be more likely to remain invested and will be more likely to realize the historically significant returns of the U.S. and global investment markets.

Q: I can manage risk by simply adding a lot of bonds to my holdings, can't I?

A: Bonds do have a role to play in a diversified portfolio. In general, fixed income products have had a stellar run over the past twenty five years, as interest rates have come down from the double-digit rates of the early 1980s. This period of time has been the most favorable environment imaginable for bonds, and we believe that run is likely over. With interest rates near fifty year lows, we believe rates may be backed into a corner, offering little reward for investors going forward. In addition, we believe investors with too much exposure to bonds are likely to face the increased prospect of outliving their money in retirement.

Q: What do I need to know about your fees?

A: As a fee-only investment manager, we embrace our decision to openly disclose all fees and sources of revenue to our clients. We believe it is important for all investors to consider whether the fees that they are charged for wealth management services are fair, and whether they are receiving value for those fees. The best way to do this is to compare actual investor returns after all fees are deducted (net-of-fee returns).

We believe that all investors have a right to know how much they are being charged, whether the firm they use receives hidden compensation from other sources that may cause conflicts of interest, whether that firm is paid by other entities to sell their clients specific securities, and whether those fees are competitive and reasonable.

About Our Firm Meet Our Staff Mission Statement Investment Philosophy Frequently Asked Questions