As part of our 20th anniversary celebration, we interviewed a few of our longstanding Sensible clients to find out what made them begin working with Sensible Financial® and why they’ve stayed.
Grace and Henry Craig had a financial planning firm, but by 2005, they had become disenchanted with the firm’s methods. They wanted a fiduciary, someone unaffiliated with any particular fund or investment house. A friend recommended Rick Miller and Sensible Financial®. They liked the idea of a small local firm and were impressed with Rick’s credentials. The Craigs are both retired educators from the Boston area, so Rick’s knowledge, informational approach, and Cambridge location (Sensible’s original office) were ideal.
When they started with Sensible in 2006, the Craigs worked with both Rick Miller and Rick Fine. Now, they spend more time with Rick Fine and Josh Trubow. “But, if we have a question, Rick Miller is happy to answer,” says Grace.
“They’re all smart people,” says Henry. “They explain things well. We appreciate the educational aspect of our relationship with them.”
Grace agrees, “We’re both teachers and it’s important that we understand what’s happening with our investments and why.”
About ten years ago, Grace’s father died. His financial records were difficult to find, and he had accounts spread all over several financial institutions. “It was so confusing,” said Grace. “Our Sensible advisors were there for us, finding multiple bank accounts, investments, and basically untying knots. It was a major undertaking, and they saved us.” The Craigs asked Rick and the team to help organize Grace’s mother’s accounts, as well. When she passed away, her financial affairs were in order, which helped make a difficult time less difficult. The couple have been recommending Sensible to friends and family members ever since.
“Another nice thing about our advisors is their breadth of knowledge,” says Grace. “We’ve asked them about financial planning, of course, but they’ve also given us great information about college planning for our kids and grandkids, and CCRCs (Continuing Care Retirement Communities). I always leave a Sensible meeting knowing more than when I walked in.”
“We’ve met quite a few of the Sensible financial advisors over the years and they’re a stellar group of people,” says Grace.
Henry continues, “They obviously make intelligent hiring decisions. That matters.”
What also matters are the well-organized meetings and meticulous plans the advisors create. “Their attention to detail is impressive,” says Grace. “They listen to us and address our questions and concerns. They even give us homework!”
The Craigs like the way they’re treated at Sensible. “For us, it’s about personal relationships,” says Grace. “We don’t feel like numbers. We feel like we’re part of the Sensible family.”
This article summarizes a recent interview with a current client of Sensible Financial. Sensible Financial did not compensate the client in any way and is unaware of any conflict of interest.
Photo by Federico Burgalassi on Unsplash