Helping individuals build secure futures

Hello, I'm Chris, the founder of First Shelbourne. Thank you for visiting. I started this company with a simple mission: to provide high-quality investment advisory services at a cost well below the industry average, while always putting the client's interests first.

Here, there are no hidden fees, no product sales, and no commissions. I don’t sell financial products, and every recommendation is made solely with your best interest in mind.

On this page, you’ll find a clear overview of the benefits of working with an investment advisor, the services I offer, and whether my services are a good fit for you.

Why is it important to use an investment advisor in retirement?

Many save for retirement through employer 401k plans, never fully understanding their investments or choices. Workers retire, and then don't know what to do with the funds or how they should be invested. Most 401k plans have extremely poor retirement options. What worked in the accumulation phase during one's career, doesn't work in retirement where individuals need safer investments. 

The main problems with 401k plans is the lack of income producing assets. Retirees are forced to sell assets and make withdrawals if they need funds. This slowly drains the account and they become overly reliant on the stock market going up. And if withdrawals are made from the principal during a downturn, retirement funds can run out much quicker than one realizes. 

What does your company do to alleviate this problem?

I assist you with the rollover process, which involves transferring funds from your 401(k) plan into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) in your name. This is a tax-free transaction. Your investments continue to grow on a tax-deferred basis, just as they did within your 401(k). The new IRA is held at Charles Schwab and remains fully titled in your name. I manage the account and handle all investment decisions, but at no point do I have access to your funds.

Why consider an IRA rollover?

The primary advantage of rolling over your 401(k) into an IRA is expanded investment flexibility. Most employer-sponsored plans offer only a limited selection of mutual funds. In contrast, an IRA gives access to a much broader range of options, including low-cost index ETFs, individual stocks, U.S. Treasuries, various bonds, and FDIC-insured CDs.

Many of my retired clients appreciate the ability to own CDs within their IRA. I often purchase CDs that pay monthly interest, helping to create a reliable income stream, something that cannot be done within most 401(k) plans. These plans typically offer a "stable value" fund instead, which often pays significantly lower interest. In many cases, even after factoring in the advisory fee, the client ends up earning more through the IRA strategy.

Is having an advisor right for you?

Individuals with a solid understanding of investing often feel confident managing their own portfolios and may not see the need for an advisor. However, most people aren’t investment professionals. It’s similar to someone doing minor electrical work at home.  Changing an outlet might be manageable on their own, but if the job involves rewiring the entire house or replacing the electrical panel, it’s time to call in an expert.

Investing is no different, except the stakes are often much higher. A few missteps can result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars in life savings. I’ve seen individuals attempt to manage their investments independently, believing bonds were a safe choice. Unfortunately, some invested heavily in long-duration bonds without understanding how interest rate movements impact bond prices. As a result, they experienced losses of up to 40%, losses that could have been avoided with professional guidance.

Many also get swept up in emotional decisions. As stocks make new highs, many transfer more of their funds into stocks, taking on more risk when they should instead be taking less risk. Individuals get caught up in fads with their life savings, and it always turns out bad.

If you have any questions about advisory services, please don't hesitate to contact me.