I hate wealth managers

I hate wealth managers.

Most of them add zero value and charge you a fortune to do something you could do yourself for free (build a diversified ETF portfolio).

And yet there's so many of them.

It's not logical, but people like having "a guy" they trust. A trustworthy man or woman they met at the golf club who looks good in a suit and gives them a firm handshake.

Why? Because investing is kind of scary for most people.

You can explain ETFs and Peter Lynch ("buy what you know") and all that stuff, but ultimately, most people prefer having "a guy".

What sucks is, that person—usually a generically handsome tall man with salt and pepper hair and a name like Chase, Brock, or Preston—often doesn't know what the hell he's talking about.

I can't tell you how many times I've had these wealth management dudes pitch me, then watched them melt like a popsicle in death valley when I ask them the most basic investing questions.

Unfortunately, most of them are just sales people who sell you something you could easily buy yourself.

But I digress. Look—some of you are just going to want "a guy."

So, I'd like to refer you to someone who I love.

My friend Jon Ronkai runs an accounting firm, and for almost 20 years he's been investing his own money. He's a dyed-in-the-wool value investor, and we actually met because we're both part of a group of investors that meets monthly to talk about stocks. Over the years, I've often nodded my head as he talked about an investment idea, and even followed him into a few investments.

Recently, he decided to start a wealth management division to service the clients of his accounting firm.

Finally, I have someone I can confidently refer people to—someone I genuinely believe is both smart and ethical.

So, if you need a guy, I recommend you speak to Jon Ronkai. I'd trust him with my life.

Email him here: jronkai@arbutusgroupcpa.com

Originally published in the You should ignore your kids. issue of Never Enough.