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Mike Hackler, CFP® wants people to know that financial planning isn’t just for the very wealthy. It’s something that can benefit anyone — regardless of how much money they have.
Financial planning is being able to reach your freedoms, the goals you’ve set,” says Hackler, of Cornerstone Wealth. “The first two freedoms people search out are freedom of time and freedom of money. The main way you get there is through financial planning and by discipline — ignoring something right now for something better later on.” Hackler says it’s important to get to know clients, their values and their goals to help them chart a path to get there.
Whether someone wants to maximize their investments, improve business operations, plan for retirement or anything in between, Cornerstone Wealth’s unique, hands-on strategy can help.
“It’s being your thinking partner,” Hackler says. “It’s helping people think through all the things that are not on their radar — looking at their blind spots and showing them what could go wrong, but at the same time, what could go right.”
Building strong relationships with clients is at the heart of Cornerstone Wealth’s philosophy. Fostering trust is key, he says, as he guides clients in conversations about topics that can be complicated and even uncomfortable — like debt, taxes and estate planning. But the end result is a long-term partnership that enables clients to navigate complex situations.
“We work together and refine the process of your plan on a continual basis,” Hackler says. “You also need to know how the implications of one investment decision can affect your taxes and other investments and how to adjust a few of the other levers involved.”
Those continual adjustments are another fundamental element of Cornerstone Wealth’s strategy.
“Where we truly differentiate ourselves is with our in-house, active management,” Hackler says. “We don’t buy and hold; we buy and do our homework.”
Hackler describes Cornerstone Wealth’s approach as ‘top-up’ — meaning it takes into account the top-down, or macroeconomic, method while also using the bottom-up approach, which focuses on microeconomics and the specifics of each individual company.
Cornerstone Wealth closely follows the most up to-date market data and analytics to set parameters for what types of assets to invest in, which strategies to pursue, and what companies and sectors to pay attention to. All of this information serves as “guardrails,” Hackler says, to make sure clients’ portfolios stay strong amid ever-changing market conditions. Being agile and able to respond to market shifts in a timely fashion is a hallmark of Cornerstone Wealth.
“To make a great investment, you have to marry the fundamentals of the company and the outlook of the economy with the story behind the business — and, most importantly, you’ve got to do it at the right price in the marketplace,” Hackler says. “That is the key to picking great long-term winners. We’ll let our winners ride — but trim along the way as the positions double or more — and cut our losers quickly.”
Hackler emphasizes that Cornerstone Wealth isn’t just about investments. He gets to know his clients and looks at their entire financial picture. He asks clients, “Where do you see yourself in three to five years, or longer, and what has to happen over that timeframe for you to be happy with your progress — personally, professionally, whatever?”
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner held to the highest fiduciary standards in the industry, Hackler truly enjoys his work of 17 years.
“Everyone needs guidance along the way, but it’s finding the right fit to get you there,” he says. “We help our clients become more confident in their finances and help them achieve a clearer direction with better clarity.”
“I love helping people achieve their dreams, what is in their heart, what they think their purpose is,” he adds. “Everyone has something important to lose. My focus is to protect what you’ve worked so hard for and to help you build it up for generations to come.
For more information visit cswplan.com
