A. Description of Advisory Firm
Modern Dollar Planning, LLC is registered as an Investment Adviser with the SEC. We were founded on January
1, 2015. Modern Dollar Planning is owned and operated by Mark Schweiss. As of December 31, 2023, Modern
Dollar Planning manages $104,124,870 on a discretionary basis and $0 on a non-discretionary basis.
B. Types of Advisory Services
Modern Dollar offers financial planning and investment management services to individuals, high net worth
individuals, trusts and estates in Missouri and other states (each referred to as a “Client”).
1. On-Going Wealth Management
Modern Dollar Planning provides customized financial planning solutions for its Clients. This is achieved through
continuous personal Client contact and interaction while providing discretionary investment management,
consulting services, and financial planning services integrated into one service. Financial planning may include
retirement planning, cash flow and debt management, income tax planning, insurance needs analysis, estate
planning, employee benefits, college savings, financial goal setting, investment analysis and investment
management services provided on a discretionary basis. Modern Dollar Planning works with each Client to
identify their investment goals and objectives as well as risk tolerance and financial situation in order to create
an appropriate portfolio allocation.
Through investment management, our firm provides continuous advice 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 create and manage 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, and liquidity needs. We may also review and discuss a client’s prior
investment history, as well as family composition and background. Modern Dollar will not provide securities
custodial or other administrative services. At no time will Modern Dollar accept or maintain custody of a Client’s
funds or securities. All Client assets will be managed within their designated brokerage account or pension
account, pursuant to the Wealth Management Agreement.
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 on
investing in certain securities, types of securities, or industry sectors. Fees pertaining to this service are outlined
in Item 5 of this brochure.
Modern Dollar’s investment philosophy is primarily based upon Modern Portfolio Theory and other academic
research. The Advisor implements its strategies primarily through the use of low-cost passively managed
exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) such as those offered by Vanguard, iShares, State Street Global Advisors and
Dimensional Fund Advisors. Diversification, cost, and tax efficiency are all important factors in determining
which funds to use and how they are implemented for a Client's account(s). The Advisor may utilize individual
fixed-income securities and other types of securities, as appropriate for a particular Client (See Item 8 for
details).
Modern Dollar’s investment strategy is primarily long-term focused, but the Advisor may buy, sell or re-allocate
positions that
have been held less than one year to meet the objectives of the Client or due to market conditions.
Modern Dollar will construct, implement and monitor the portfolio to ensure it meets the goals, objectives,
circumstances, and risk tolerance agreed to by the Client. Each Client will have the opportunity to place
reasonable restrictions on the types of investments to be held in their respective portfolio, subject to acceptance
by the Advisor.
Modern Dollar evaluates and selects investments for inclusion in Client portfolios only after applying its internal
due diligence process. Modern Dollar may recommend, on occasion, redistributing investment allocations to
diversify the portfolio. Modern Dollar may recommend specific positions to increase sector or asset class
weightings. The Advisor may recommend employing cash positions as a possible hedge against market
movement. Modern Dollar may recommend selling positions for reasons that include, but are not limited to,
harvesting capital gains or losses, business or sector risk exposure to a specific security or class of securities,
overvaluation or overweighting of the position[s] in the portfolio, change in the risk tolerance of a Client,
generating cash to meet Client needs, or any risk deemed unacceptable for the Client’s risk tolerance.
Prior to rendering investment advisory services, Modern Dollar will ascertain, in conjunction with the Client,
the Client’s financial situation, risk tolerance, and investment objectives.
C. Client Account Management
Prior to engaging Modern Dollar to provide investment advisory services, each Client is required to enter into a
Wealth Management Agreement with the Advisor that defines the terms, conditions, authority and
responsibilities of the Advisor and the Client. These services may include:
• Assess Investment Risk Tolerance – Modern Dollar will assess each Client’s willingness, ability and need to
take risk through a questionnaire, in person discussions and financial projections.
• Asset Allocation – Modern Dollar may develop a strategic asset allocation that is targeted to meet the
investment objectives, time horizon, financial situation and tolerance for risk for each Client.
• Portfolio Construction – Modern Dollar may develop a portfolio for the Client that is intended to meet the
stated goals and objectives of the Client.
• Investment Management and Supervision – Modern Dollar may provide investment management and
ongoing oversight of the Client’s portfolio and overall account.
D. 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 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. Modern Dollar Planning will accommodate requests to aid in the selection of portfolios built around
reasonable restrictions, including, but not limited to, restrictions on specific security ticker symbols or
companies, industry sectors (for example, excluding tobacco products or firearms), or credit quality (for
example, bonds rated A or higher). Modern Dollar Planning will notify clients if a restriction is deemed
unreasonable and/or irreconcilable with a portfolio that is otherwise consistent with client’s Investment Policy
Statement.
E. Wrap Fee Programs
We do not participate in wrap fee programs.