Q and A

Why should I consider working with Greg Ferguson?

Greg is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience, who has an uncanny knack at solving financial puzzles. He is relentless in his pursuit of answers and leaves no stone unturned in the seeking out the best solutions for his clients. (Back to top)

What makes Greg different from other financial advisors?

Greg uses a macro-economic process that includes all of a client’s financial instruments and strives to coordinate and integrate all the pieces. (Back to top)

What is the process that I will go through if I decide to work with you?

The process of working together is essentially a series of pleasant and enjoyable one-on-one meetings in which Greg will analyze your current financial situation, and then make plans for enhancing your potential. (Back to top)

Is there a guaranteed way to save for retirement?

While there is no guarantee the LEAP System will work for everyone, it has shown to be an effective, realistic method of improving a client’s financial condition. Using this program, we will recommend fixed financial strategies intended to limit the impact of potential financial downsides, such as downturns in the stock market. (Back to top)

What does ”LEAP” mean?

“LEAP” stands for “Lifetime Economic Acceleration Process”

LIFETIME: LEAP SYSTEMS, Inc. views your financial process as an ongoing lifetime experience. LEAP uses a comprehensive or holistic approach.

ECONOMIC: LEAP seeks to make your money productive and efficient which may increase its performance over time.

ACCELERATION: LEAP allows your money to have the potential to achieve an accelerated rate of return by using a unique financial process.

PROCESS: LEAP organizes and coordinates your money decisions into a financial model that is easy to understand and follow. (Back to top)

What is the PS&G Model?

A physical way to take an intangible like money and visually represent it in an understandable way on a static model – like a game board – with your various financial instruments being like the game pieces. This model allows us to simulate different scenarios to see which one gives you the most money for the least amount of risk. (Back to top)

What services does Ferguson Financial Group provide?

Depending on the scope of the work we provide in-depth written plans for all our clients. Your plan would be based on your actual current and realistic future financial situation. Your plan is analyzed in four general areas: legal, taxation (including income and estate), investment and risk management. These areas will be thoroughly reviewed in either a personal or a business situation. (Back to top)

My bank offers financial planning services. Since I am already doing my banking there, isn’t it more convenient to use my bank as my financial advisor too?

That depends on what result you are looking for. Most banks have their employees working with you, but they may only be working with you as long as they are with the bank. They may also be using old technology to look at your money, and many times the advice you are given by bank employees is driven by marketing strategies based on products that the banks sell. (Back to top)

I have quite a bit of money in my savings account and am well on my way to paying off my mortgage in a few more years. Combined with social security, won’t this be enough for a reasonable retirement?

Realistically, standard savings and a house will not be enough for retirement. A paid-off house will not provide you with any income, and even selling a house provides only minimal income for only a short time. Secondly, based on the government’s own estimates, the availability and amount of Social Security for people retiring in the next fifteen to twenty-five years will be quite different then it is today. For even a minimally comfortable retirement, it is essential that you begin actively planning for the future today. (Back to top)

What happens to a plan if my financial circumstances change?

Naturally, your Present Plan would be based on your circumstances as they were when the plan was put together. If your circumstances change, the Present Plan will allow us to know what changes could be made, so that together we would quickly assess what your options are. (Back to top)

How often is the plan reviewed?

At least annually, or any time you have a financial change of circumstance (for example: an inheritance, a change in employment, birth of a child, adverse taxation, re-financing your mortgage, and so on). (Back to top)

How confidential is my information?

All client information is completely confidential. The details of our clients’ personal financial information are accessible only to Greg and his staff. FFG Privacy Policy. (Back to top)

What is a Monte Carlo Simulation?

Monte Carlo simulation is a numerical analysis technique for answering the question, “What is likely to happen in the future?” The results of a Monte Carlo simulation will not tell us the value of a portfolio in a month; rather, they will tell us the likely range of values for that portfolio and an idea of how certain or uncertain that range is. (Back to top)

What is Portfolio Optimization and The Modern Portfolio Theory?

Portfolio optimization is a mathematical technique for finding the portfolios that lie along the efficient frontier. These ideas were developed by Dr. Harry Markowitz and earned him a Nobel Prize in Economics in 1990. These theories are collectively known as Modern Portfolio Theory. (Back to top)