This is something about me that surprises most people.

Very wealthy people often book a call with me ready to talk investment strategy, tax planning, or estate planning.

But, that’s usually not where I start.

This week I met with a couple who have built an incredibly successful business.

They live very modestly for their income and are now adding millions of dollars each year to an investment portfolio that's already well into eight figures.

One of the first things they wanted to discuss was estate planning and how to avoid the 40% estate tax when transferring assets to their children.

Before talking about the strategies, I ask:

How much do you actually want to leave your children?
How much do you want to spend while you're alive?
Do you have charitable goals?

Because if your goal isn't to leave your children tens of millions of dollars, you'd like to enjoy more of your wealth during your lifetime, and you plan to leave a meaningful portion of your estate to charity...

...you may not need nearly as much advanced estate planning as you think!

That conversation has to happen before we start talking about which trust structures to use.

The same is true for investing.

Until I understand what the money is for, I can't build the right investment portfolio.

If all I wanted to do was build sophisticated investment strategies, I’d work at a hedge fund or private equity firm.

What I enjoy far more is the intersection:

• What those dollars can support in someone’s actual life, and
• How we can make them go further with diversified, tax‑efficient portfolios.

What I enjoy is helping people use their money for whatever brings them the most joy/meaning.

Those conversations have to happen before I can build a real investment or financial plan.

Because the answer to “What are we doing this for?” drives everything else.

If your advisor only talks about your portfolio and never asks those questions, you don’t have a plan. You just have investments.

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Quantitative Financial Strategies, LLC is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This material is for educational purposes only and is not tax, legal or investment advice. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.