Smart Investing for over 50 Years

Before you put one more dollar in the financial market, Chris DiVito, president of Westlake’s Investment Planning Group, suggests you rethink your strategy. Here’s why.

By: Ken McEntee
Date: 07/16/2009
When your investment fund is worth little more than half of what it was a year ago, it’s easy to get emotional and make hasty decisions.

That’s where sound advice, based on decades of experience, is crucial.

“Investing is an intellectual exercise, not an emotional exercise,” cautions Chris DiVito, president of Westlake-based Investment Planning Group, Inc. “We realize that these can be emotional times, but we keep our decision-making smart.”

Chris says the family-owned firm, which was founded 51 years ago by his father, August DiVito, M.S. in financial services, specializes in income engineering so that their clients can retire in comfort.”

Dwight Eisenhower was the president when August started the firm, which has remained rock solid through all of the financial ups and downs since then.

August turned over the company’s reigns to Chris 10 years ago, but continues to lend wisdom gained through five decades of experience.

“After more than a half-century of service, there isn’t much in the financial world that we haven’t been through,” August says. “We’ve been able to overcome many difficult situations. That experience, combined with the top-level personal service we provide, is what has earned our client’s trust over the years,” Chris interjects.
“Trust is key, especially in today’s economy.”

Investment Planning Group is an independent firm that offers a full range of financial products and services. Working through Waterstone Financial Group, the company has access to any product on the market, making it easy to custom-design a retirement plan that perfectly fits the client’s situation.

“We’re very good at seeing the world through our clients’ eyes,” Chris emphasizes. “Everybody’s view of the world is different. I’m 50 years old and still working. My view of the world isn’t the same as that of a 70-year-old retiree or a 30-year-old just getting started in a career. The economy hasn’t impacted us in the same way. Our job is to put ourselves in our clients’ shoes and offer the best options to deal with their specific situations.”

August was a pioneer in the financial planning field. A former teacher and football and wrestling coach at Collinwood High School, he was in American College’s first graduating class of Chartered Financial
Consultants (ChFC), and is one of just a dozen Ohioans to achieve that distinction.

“I got into the business during its embryo stage,” he recalls.

The team at Investment Planning Group believes tax planning, retirement planning, and estate conservation should be top priorities for all individuals and families. And the time to start is now, Chris says.

“This is a great time to put your money to work,” he observes.

Don joined Investment Planning Group four years ago because the firm better fit his planning philosophy. “I genuinely wanted to be independent for the benefit of my clients in order to best help them focus on their long-term financial plans,” Don says. “When I made the transition to this office, 100% of my clients moved their business with me.” I think that speaks volumes about us. We’re an experienced team that offers outstanding customer service and we have for over 50 years.”

“Developing a cash flow strategy is the biggest part of what we do,” he continues. “We offer solid advice, whether you are just getting started on a retirement plan or you are already retired and are seeking to optimize your income in a difficult market.”

“Not out-living their money and purchasing power are the two major concerns most of our clients are faced with,” Chris inserts.

“Determining the amount they will need and their time frame to accumulate assets are the key components of a successful plan. If a client is only in fixed investments, it’s very hard to keep up with inflation,” he continues.

“Here is an example that drives this point home,” Don shares. “In 1974, the cost of a stamp was 10 cents. Today that same stamp is 44 cents. People need to plan for that erosion of purchasing power. We show them how purchasing power can be greatly influenced by the types of strategies that can be designed to help them reach their retirement goals.”  
For people in or near retirement who are panicking because the principal in their retirement fund has dropped, there are ways to lock in income and be reassured that they not will not outlive their money.  
“Living benefits have a place in every retirement plan,” Don shares. “In order to review your options, you can schedule a no-cost consultation with us. Even if you are already working with somebody, it never hurts to get a second opinion.”

To schedule an appointment, you can call Investment Planning Group at 440-899-7700. The company is located at 25117 Detroit Road, Suite 210, in Westlake. Learn more at www.investmentplanninggroup.com.

Securities offered through Waterstone Financial Group, member NASD-SIPC. 500 Park Blvd. Itasca, IL 60143 630-250-7000 Waterstone Financial Group and Investment Planning Group, Inc are independently owned and operated.

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