Stephanie appreciates the hands-on personal service she receives from Retirement by Design.
“Iʼve only ever dealt with Terry and Lucie. I do feel very much like I know who Iʼm communicating with at all times. I never have to ask who is going to e-mail or call me next. Terry is easy to talk to. Heʼs never too busy to listen and have a conversation. He definitely doesnʼt push products.”
“He explains what’s in my best interest. Iʼve always taken it for granted that there’s a gratitude there and a respect for me as a client. I have recommended him to people in my office because he does good work.”
Stephanie has just begun her career. At first she thought she would pay off her student loans before saving for retirement.
“Honestly, I hadn’t thought about working with a financial planner. I was thinking the very simplistic ‘pay down my debt now and save later’. Terry helped guide me to save and pay my loans. It was practical to do both at the same time. The big picture didn’t occur to me.”
“He’s willing to listen to me even though I have very little savings. He provided a plan that fits my cautious nature as I build up my portfolio. He allowed me to begin safely.”
Ernie appreciates Terry’s investment approach.
“He’s done a good job of moving my portfolio around well above the 2008 downturn in the market. I deal with other firms but the money I have with him is the money I want to feel secure about. This is my nest egg if I lose all the unsecured stuff. I don’t worry about it.”
“He makes the long term investment decisions and they’ve been quite accurate. I feel personally cared for. Some people talk and brag too much. Terry is just there to help me in an honest way. What you see is what you get.”
Ernie is currently focused on succession planning before he fully retires.
“I’m in the process of retiring from my company and need a new battle plan. I like what Terry’s done so far. He’s factual. He doesn’t try to get me into areas I’m not interested in.”
“He interviews me and sees where I want to go. I kind of have things planned out and he reaffirms or assists me getting there – he makes suggestions and I like that.”
Jeff knows he could manage his investments himself – if he had the time. He says while he attends to his demanding career he trusts Terry to grow and maintain his portfolio.
“It’s about relationships. It always is. I think it’s pretty simple. You can tell he’s interested in you and your investments. You’re not just one more client. I’ve referred people to him in the past because of the way he’s handled my investments and the way he’s been so responsive and very appreciative of my investments. I like working with him.”
Jeff is a professional executive whose work takes him around the world. At first he thought it would make more sense to transfer his investments to a large financial institution.
“I did switch for one year and that was a mistake. It was too impersonal and not responsive so I switched back to Terry. Terry’s been very responsive no matter where I’ve lived.”
Gwen is especially satisfied with Terry’s communication style.
“I would say, ‘Terry, I hear you but I don’t understand.’ He would send three real life examples that would help me learn. I would say, ‘I like that example. It suits me.”
“He would explain in a way that makes such good sense. If something comes up he addresses it immediately and I appreciate that very much. He is patient and kind. His understanding is great. He reads his clients and figures out what they need and how to get there. I have recommended him many times.”
Gwen was only 54 years old when she went on disability leave.
“I lost forty percent of my income. I haven’t worked for three years. I’m able to live within my means and Terry gives me examples for what will protect me. He quickly understands what your future is like in real terms. He takes it all into account so you can live in a way that’s safe.”