Elmhurst Magazine (EM): How would you describe your philosophy regarding helping clients manage their money?

Michael Ludwig (ML):  Financial guidance should be rooted in the client’s best interest. Yet, I’ve witnessed many friends and family struggle to find advice they could trust. When my grandmother was 75, a financial advisor put her funds in an annuity with a 25-year surrender period, which, given her age, was not in her best interest.

When I’m serving in my capacity as an Investment Adviser Representative, I act as a fiduciary and am legally and ethically obligated to put clients’ needs first. I provide the transparency and objectivity that I wish my grandmother had received, creating financial strategies to help clients protect and reimagine their wealth.

EM: What kinds of clients do you typically work with, and what are some common goals they bring to the table?

ML: New clients come to us during some of life’s most pivotal and often overwhelming moments—retirement, divorce, job change, or the loss of a loved one. The question is usually the same: “What should I do with this money?” But the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our clients want options tailored to their unique circumstances and goals so they can make the most informed decision.

The people who work with us also value responsiveness. They appreciate that we’re a small, family-owned firm and trust that when they call or email us, they’ll hear back quickly. We’re here to help clients feel more confident about their finances and to make that as easy as possible.

EM: What do you think sets your services apart in a competitive industry?

ML: I’m proud to be both a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and a Certified Public Accountant and use that experience to help clients keep more of their wealth through tax-focused financial planning and asset management.

Our approach is straightforward. First, we bring each client’s taxes, investments, and financial planning into a cohesive strategy tailored to their personal goals and risk tolerance. Then, we allocate their assets into investments that are designed to perform under different market conditions and timeframes. The advantage for clients is having a customized roadmap that helps build wealth while minimizing tax liability, both in the short and long term.

EM: How do you stay informed and adapt your strategies in a constantly shifting market?

ML: It would be a lot easier if you could simply “set and forget” your financial strategy, but you may miss out on market opportunities or take on excessive risk. We proactively identify these opportunities and risks and create solutions that help clients capitalize on them.

Continuing education and our partnership with Cetera Investment Management help us stay current with ongoing research, economic forecasts, and forward-looking perspectives on market performance. Our proactive approach helps clients’ wealth strategies stay resilient against whatever the market brings.

Michael Ludwig
CPA, CFP®/CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
Ludwig Wealth Management
629 S. Main St.
Lombard, Illinois
630-519-3131
www.ludwigwm.com

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