Real Retirement Solutions
designed to improve- Wealth Preservation
- Management of Risky Assets
- Peace of Mind
This is achieved through an ongoing assessment of market risks given your specific financial situation and goals.
Professional Expertise
Leadership Team

Richard Furmanski
CFA, CFP®
has been a portfolio manager and analyst for over 35 years. He manages conservative, tax-efficient portfolios for both pre-retirees and retirees. His lower risk approach appeals to investors who want less volatility and competitive risk-adjusted returns.

Mary Ellen Adam
Director of Operations
has been in office administration for over twenty years. Her experience includes customer service, firm operations, and office administration. She interacts with our clients on a day-to-day basis and handles any requests that may arise.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can’t find the answer to your questions here, feel free to give us a call at 847-847-2505
Do you manage both stock and bond portfolios?
Yes. We build a portfolio of conservative, high-quality stocks and hold them for the long-term. The average holding period is 4 – 5 years. Our focus is on stocks that are suitable for retirement portfolios.
Our high-quality bond portfolios are designed to provide both income and stability of principal. Bonds provide the anchor for balanced accounts (those holding both stocks and bonds).
What is your investment philosophy?
Will the portfolio be managed in accordance with my financial goals?
What kind of expertise do you have and how can that help me in difficult markets?
Are you sensitive to taxes when managing portfolios?
How have you performed?
How do you charge for your services?
Recent Commentaries
Stay up to date with all of our latest comments and analysis.
February 2023 Market Commentary
An old adage on Wall Street is “don’t fight the Fed.” Another one is “don’t fight the tape.” The second rule seems to be a winning out in January. Bulls and bears can argue about fundamentals (they always do) but both would agree that market technicals are turning...
January 2023 Market Commentary
Equity investors do not have a lot to like, but that is always the case closer to market bottoms than tops. That doesn’t mean we have to rally in 2023, but just because positives are limited doesn’t mean we have to keep going lower either. The end of a bear market...
December 2022 Market Commentary
The stock market has been strong since early October. The S&P 500 rallied 6.5% in October and is up 2.5% so far in November (through November 28th). Although this is likely a bear market rally, something has changed in investors’ minds. In the short term, investors...
Monthly Updates
March 2023 Mid-Month Recap
BANK FAILURES... MORE TO COME? The “higher for longer” narrative was erased last week in the blink of an eye with the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Systemic risk to the financial system is one thing that will stop the Federal Reserve’s current rate hike...
February 2023 Mid-Month Recap
2023’S DASH FOR TRASH The market has turned upside down in early 2023. This year has been about huge gains in stocks that got destroyed in 2022. The stocks that were down the most last year are some of this year’s best performers. For example, busted IPOs, SPACs,...