Description of Advisory Firm Effective Assets, Inc. is registered as an Investment Adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We were founded in November 2016. Justin Martello is the principal owner of Effective Assets. As of December 31, 2022, we manage $117,343,240 on a discretionary basis and $9,513,780 on a non-discretionary basis. Types of Advisory Services Investment Advisory Services and Third-Party Investment Management We are in the business of advising on individually tailored, socially responsible investment portfolios. Our firm provides continuous discretionary investment supervisory services to a client regarding the investment of client funds based on the individual needs of the client. Through personal discussions in which goals and objectives based on a client's particular circumstances are established, we develop a client's personal investment policy or an investment plan with an asset allocation target and recommend and advise on a portfolio based on that policy and allocation target. During our data-gathering process, we determine the client’s individual objectives, time horizons, risk tolerance, social policy, and liquidity needs. We may also review and discuss a client’s prior investment history, as well as family composition and background. Account supervision is guided by the stated objectives of the client (e.g., maximum capital appreciation, growth, income, or growth and income), as well as tax considerations. Clients may impose reasonable restrictions, including but not limited to generally recognized screening policies, focused on environmental, social, and corporate governance factors, and adhere to specific social policy guidance on investing in certain securities, types of securities, or industry sectors. Fees pertaining to this service are outlined in Item 5 of this brochure. As part of this service, we may employ the use of unaffiliated sub-advisers to manage either a portion of, or the entirety of, a client’s investment portfolio, or act as a co-advisor with a third-party money manager (“Outside Manager”). Our review process and analysis of sub-advisers and Outside Managers is further discussed in Item 8 of this Form ADV Part 2A. Additionally, we will meet with the client on a periodic basis to discuss changes in their personal or financial situation, suitability, and any new or revised restrictions to be applied to the account. Fees pertaining to this service are outlined in Item 5 of this brochure. We may also recommend alternative funds to clients, when suitable, for investment. Investment Advice Relating to Retirement Accounts When we provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or individual retirement account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. The way we make money creates some conflicts with your interests, so we operate under a special rule that requires us to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours. Under this special rule’s provisions, we must:
• Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations (give prudent advice);
• Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations (give loyal advice);
• Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments;
• Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in your best interest;
• Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
• Give you basic information about conflicts of interest. In addition, and as required by this rule, we provide information regarding the services that we provide to you, and any material conflicts of interest, in this brochure and in your client agreement. Financial Planning Financial planning is a comprehensive evaluation of a client’s current and future financial state by using currently known variables to predict future cash flows, asset values and withdrawal plans. The key defining aspect of financial planning is that through the financial planning process, all questions, information and analysis will be considered as they impact and are impacted by the entire financial and life situation of the client. Clients purchasing this service will receive a written or an electronic report, providing the client with a detailed financial plan designed to achieve his or her stated financial goals and objectives. The client always has the right to decide whether or not to act upon our recommendations. If the client elects to act on any of the recommendations, the client always has the right to affect the transactions through anyone of their choosing. In general, the financial plan will address any or all of the following areas of concern. The client and advisor will work together to select the specific areas to cover. These areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Cash Flow and Debt Management: We will conduct a review of your income and expenses to determine your current surplus or deficit along with advice on prioritizing how any surplus should be used or how to reduce expenses if they exceed your income. Advice may also be provided on which debts to pay off first based on factors such as the interest rate of the debt and any income tax ramifications. We may also recommend what we believe to be an appropriate cash reserve that should be considered for emergencies and other financial goals, along with a review of accounts (such as

savings accounts, money market funds or community investment notes) for such reserves, plus strategies to save desired amounts.
• College Savings: Includes projecting the amount that will be needed to achieve college or other post- secondary education funding goals, along with advice on ways for you to save the desired amount. Recommendations as to savings strategies are included, and, if needed, we will review your financial picture as it relates to eligibility for financial aid or the best way to contribute to grandchildren (if appropriate).
• Employee Benefits Optimization: We will provide review and analysis as to whether you, as an employee, are taking the maximum advantage possible of your employee benefits. If you are a business owner, we will consider and/or recommend the various benefit programs that can be structured to meet both business and personal retirement goals.
• Estate Planning: This usually includes an analysis of your exposure to estate taxes and your current estate plan, which may include whether you have a will, powers of attorney, trusts and other related documents. Our advice also typically includes ways for you to minimize or avoid future estate taxes by implementing appropriate estate planning strategies such as the use of applicable trusts. We always recommend that you consult with a qualified attorney when you initiate, update, or complete estate planning activities. We may provide you with contact information for attorneys who specialize in estate planning when you wish to hire an attorney for such purposes. From time-to-time, we will participate in meetings or phone calls between you and your attorney with your approval or request.
• Financial Goals: We will help clients identify financial goals and develop a plan to reach them. We will identify what you plan to accomplish, what resources you will need to make it happen, how much time you will need to reach the goal, and how much you should budget for your goal.
• Insurance: Review of existing policies to ensure proper coverage for life, health, disability, long-term care, liability, home and automobile.
• Investment Analysis: This may involve developing an asset allocation strategy to meet clients’ financial goals and risk tolerance, providing information on investment vehicles and strategies, reviewing employee stock options, as well as assisting you in establishing your own investment account at a selected custodian. The strategies and types of investments we may recommend are further discussed in Item 8 of this brochure.
• Retirement Planning: Our retirement planning services typically include projections of your likelihood of achieving your financial goals, typically focusing on financial independence as the primary objective. For situations where projections show less than the desired results, we may make recommendations, including those that may impact the original projections by adjusting certain variables (e.g., working longer, saving more, spending less, taking more or less risk with investments). If you are near retirement or already retired, advice may be given on appropriate distribution strategies to minimize the likelihood of running out of money or having to adversely alter spending during your retirement years.
• Risk Management: A risk management review includes an analysis of your exposure to major risks that could have a significantly adverse effect on your financial picture, such as premature death, disability, property and casualty losses, or the need for long-term care. Advice may be provided on ways to minimize such risks and about weighing the costs of purchasing insurance versus the benefits of doing so and, likewise, the potential cost of not purchasing insurance (“self-insuring”).
• Tax Planning Strategies: Advice may include ways to minimize current and future income taxes as a part of your overall financial planning picture. For example, we may make recommendations on which type of account(s) or specific investments should be owned based in part on their “tax efficiency,” with consideration that there is always a possibility of future changes to federal, state or local tax laws and rates that may affect your situation. We recommend that you consult with a qualified tax professional before initiating any tax planning strategy, and we may provide you with contact information for accountants or attorneys who specialize in this area if you wish to hire someone for such purposes. We will participate in meetings or phone calls between you and your tax professional with your approval. Newsletters Effective Assets will periodically (generally quarterly) publish newsletters relating to investments and financial planning. Effective Assets does not charge a fee for these newsletters. Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions We offer the same suite of services to all of our clients. However, specific client financial plans and their implementation are dependent upon a client’s suitability questionnaires, social policy questionnaires, and investment policy statement, which outlines each client’s current situation (income, tax levels, and risk tolerance levels) and is used to construct a client specific plan to aid in the selection of a portfolio that matches restrictions, needs, and targets. Wrap Fee Programs We do not participate in wrap fee programs but may use Sub-Advisers who do. In the event a client is using a Sub-adviser who participates in wrap fee programs, they will receive the Sub-adviser’s Wrap Program Brochure in addition to its Form ADV Part 2.