Who We Are

The story behind Lifewise is quite simple, really. We searched tirelessly for a financial planning and investment management solution tailored to young professionals. We were looking for something that fit the wants and needs of a busy generation. Something with the right mix of powerful technology and human collaboration. We came up empty.

So, we established our own solution, and Lifewise was born. At Lifewise we are genuinely committed to helping young professionals live profoundly great lives by delivering effortless financial planning.

Our Commitment to You

Transparent

Everything we do, from our fee structure to our advice, will be straightforward, upfront and easy to understand.

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Easy to Use

You want an experience that is nearly effortless and that’s what we provide. We’re focused on giving you more free time, not filling it up.

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Collaborative

We value partnerships, which is why you’ll have your own personal advisor who focuses on your needs, not just your assets.

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Powerful Technology

Innovation drives us and allows us to bring you the very best tools and technology available, anywhere.

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Education

We live and breathe financial planning and we know you don’t, so educating you on the best way to manage your finances is our forte.

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Your Best Interest

You deserve a partner who operates with your best interest ahead of their own. At all times. Period.

Meet your advisors ( Coming Soon!)

The Benefits of Lifewise

Starting young allows us to have a much greater impact on your life and the lives of your family members. When people begin investing later in life, their options and their income growth become very limited. By starting early, we can open up a world of possibilities that can help you achieve the life you envision, both now and in the future.

Lifewise gives you the tools to make financial independence a reality. It's powerful technology and human collaboration when you need it. It's financial planning made effortless.

Powered by BerganKDV Wealth Management

Backed by BerganKDV, a Minneapolis-based firm serving clients since 1945, Lifewise delivers the perfect blend of old and new. We’re structured yet flexible. Innovative yet old school. And we believe in providing superior technology, but not at the expense of sacrificing client interactions. We offer the ideal middle ground between powerful technology and expert human guidance.

Our Beliefs

We believe that financial planning and investing should be driven by your personal aspirations for life experiences and your family values. We also believe that our investment methodology must be rooted in solid academic research conducted by the best and the brightest researchers and investors. The following belief system guides every step, every interaction and every decision we make on your behalf:

Lower Costs = Increased Returns

We believe your hard-earned dollars should be used to create your own wealth, not a mutual fund managers. High fees on the underlying funds in your portfolio can significantly erode future growth (Morningstar, 2010).

We keep your costs low, giving you more available funds to invest. The average expense ratio of our portfolios is 0.14%, which means you pay only $14 for every $10,000 invested, compared to the average mutual fund expense ratio of 0.71%. We invest only in liquid, tax-efficient, flexible ETFs that provide many added benefits compared to traditional mutual funds.

Avoiding the Big Mistakes

Trust us when we say, “We’ve seen it all.” Not saving adequately, buying a home that is too big and too expensive, or getting out of the market at the wrong time are all mistakes that can be avoided.

Some of our clients didn’t start with us, but they’ve remained with us because we help them navigate unfamiliar territory and avoid these costly mistakes. Those that stay with us for the long haul will learn to avoid the big mistakes by not making snap decisions or searching for the next “big winner.”

Diversification is Critical

The wise street vendor sells both sunglasses and umbrellas. Why? These seemingly unrelated products would never be purchased by one person on the same day, which is exactly the point of diversification. By selling both items, the vendor can reduce the risk of losing money on any given day.

The same is true for investing. Research suggests that nearly 92% of an investor’s return is primarily due to diversification. Our philosophy is focused on ensuring our clients’ portfolios are adequately diversified to maximize their return.

The Behavior Gap is Real

Behavior has been proven to be the primary element that drives success. However, we live in a world of instant gratification—24/7 news, same-day shipping and real-time results—that can be counterintuitive to financial success. Not saving, buying high and selling low, or investing in something because your neighbor did all create a gap between what you know you should do and what you actually do.

Working closely with a financial advisor will help you close this gap and guide you through the ups and downs of the market. We’ll help you stick to your plan, regardless of fluctuations, and avoid instant gratification so that you can realize the true benefits that come through a comprehensive financial plan.

Planning Should be Interactive

Ask your parents about their experience with a financial planner and it probably involves lengthy meetings and a take-home, 70-page financial plan that’s collecting dust on a shelf somewhere. This is not our version of “interactive.”

We offer a truly collaborative experience. Our technology platform comes equipped with an intuitive interface, powerful integrations and multiple financial planning options. Combine this with real-time data and human guidance for a system that runs like a well-oiled machine.

Connecting Your Money to Your Values

“If you don’t know where you want to go, then it doesn’t matter which direction you head.”

Our primary goal as your advisor is to determine your values and then build a plan to match. By connecting your money to your values, our plan will be on target to create the life of your dreams as smoothly and effortlessly as possible.

Minimizing Taxes is Critical

We recognize the importance of looking at the big picture, not just the top-level investments. There are many factors we take into consideration that contribute to your actual after-tax returns in order for you to make the most money possible.

At Lifewise, we've partnered with Betterment Institutional to leverage their technology to maximize your after-tax returns. Through tax loss harvesting, tax-efficient ETFs, sophisticated rebalancing and other tax-saving features, we can help you keep the most money in your pocket.

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We promise to never: talk using industry jargon. | charge hidden commissions. | use fax machines. | refer you to a call center. | talk first, then listen. | tell you it's "free" if it's not.

Questions? Contact us. We’re here to help.

Lifewise

3800 American Blvd. W.
Suite 1000
Minneapolis, MN 55431

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Investment Advisory and Fee-Based Planning offered through BerganKDV Wealth Management, LLC, doing business as Lifewise, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

3800 American Blvd. W., Suite 1000, Minneapolis, MN 55431

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