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.
COVID-19 Resurgence
So far in 2020 we have had a pandemic, a recession, an impeachment trial of a president, social unrest, and a contentious presidential campaign. The coming year could be just as eventful. What do institutional money managers think about such an uncertain environment...
Our Annual Q & A
1. What happened in September? Is this a textbook correction or the start of something worse? The pullback in stocks in September is due to a number of reasons: - Tech stocks (including the FANG+ names) had powerful gains in the summer and had to come...
The Market Is Exuberant, But Is It A Bubble?
S&P 500 performance this year has been dominated by the index’s largest components, and the disparity by cap size is great. So far this year, the 50 largest stocks in the S&P 500 are up an average 11.3% YTD through August 28th. The 50 smallest stocks are down an...
Monthly Updates
The 60/40 Portfolio Strategy Wins Again – And Muzzles Critics
With heartfelt appreciation for our relationships with clients and friends, we wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. Last week saw two IPOs deliver dramatic pops. Food deliverer DoorDash gained 86% on day one and Airbnb surged 113%...
Election Winners and Losers
Why has the stock market been so strong since Election Day? In our view, the prospect of a Biden victory and a GOP Senate was not expected which is partially why we are seeing equity prices soar. Add the good news that Pfizer and Moderna both announced very good...