We believe managing wealth isn’t about chasing the highest returns—it’s about protecting what you’ve built. After all, it doesn’t matter how much you make if you lose more than a quarter of it once a decade.

Did you know it takes a 50% gain to come back from a 25% loss?

That’s why we prioritize risk. When a recession hits—or the market shifts—we want your portfolio to be positioned for the moment, not stuck taking on too much risk.

Our approach starts by understanding what really matters:

Your ability and comfort level with investment risk

Your need for liquidity and access to cash

The current state of the economy and where we are in the business cycle

While many firms assume markets will behave in predictable ways, we take a more realistic view. Markets don’t always follow a script—and we don’t believe they move randomly either. That’s why we stay tuned in to economic data and may adjust your risk exposure when conditions change.

This doesn’t mean abandoning your long-term strategy. It means staying smart, flexible, and prepared—so you can keep moving forward, even when the market doesn’t cooperate.

By managing risk thoughtfully and tailoring portfolios to your needs, we help you grow with more confidence and fewer surprises along the way.

Curious if our approach is right for you?

The post Wealth Management first appeared on Culbreth Wealth Management.

Public markets and the economy are cyclical and highly correlated when you need diversification most.  Stocks, regardless of domicile, sector, or industry, all move in the same direction when volatility and liquidity events occur.  The Tariff Tantrum in 2025 and the COVID Pandemic in 2020 are recent examples.  There are times though, such as the Federal Reserve’s tightening cycle in 2022, when even bonds do not offer sufficient diversification.

At Culbreth Wealth Management, we pay close attention to diversification because these types of risk events can upset a financial plan and put to test one’s risk tolerance.  It is why at times in our portfolios we allocate to commodities, real estate, mining and metals, rare earths, AMLPs and other publicly traded alternatives.

However for accredited investors, investors with over $1,000,000 net worth excluding the home or over $300,000 annual income for couples ($200,000 for an individual), private markets investments can provide enhanced diversification beyond what public markets offer.

CWM curates select direct private investments that have been through significant due diligence.  These are not multi-billion dollar feeder funds where it is nearly impossible to know exactly what you own.  The direct private investments that CWM offers have niche business models with attractive risk/return profiles that complement core allocations to public markets.  The business models have gone to great lengths to mitigate risks while having the potential for attractive targeted returns¹.  If you invest in private markets, it should not only target an attractive return, but it should also help with diversification.

Want to learn more about the direct private investments that CWM offers?

1 Private investments can be illiquid and have a high degree of risk, including the potential loss of invested capital. Investors should carefully review risk disclosures and liquidity needs before investing.

The post Private Investments first appeared on Culbreth Wealth Management.

No two clients are the same—and your financial plan shouldn’t be either. Your goals, income, spending habits, and comfort with risk are unique to you. That’s why we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all planning. We build personalized strategies designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

We also believe a financial plan should grow and evolve as your life does. That’s why we update your plan annually. And while life keeps moving in the background, we’ll meet with you regularly to review what’s changed and adjust your plan as needed.

Depending on your goals, your plan may include guidance on:

• Where and how much to save
• Managing debt
• Investing based on your comfort with risk
• Insurance needs, such as life or long-term care
• When to take Social Security or make pension decisions
• Creating income in retirement

It’s not just about building a plan. It’s about building the right one—for you.

Would you like to learn more?

The post Financial Planning first appeared on Culbreth Wealth Management.