Featured entries from our Journal

Details Are Part of Our Difference

Embracing the Evidence at Anheuser-Busch – Mid 1980s

529 Best Practices

David Booth on How to Choose an Advisor

The One Minute Audio Clip You Need to Hear

Category: Timely Topic

Planning vs The Plan

At Hill Investment Group, we often say that real financial planning isn’t about being exactly right today—it’s about being less wrong tomorrow.

That may sound strange coming from a team grounded in evidence, logic, and long-term thinking. But we also know life doesn’t follow a straight line. That’s why we believe the most valuable part of financial planning isn’t the plan itself—it’s the process of ongoing planning.

Carl Richards, a friend and fellow long-term thinker, offers a great analogy we love to share:

Airline pilots prepare a flight plan before every trip. Yet when asked how often the flight goes exactly according to that plan, the answer is: rarely.

Course corrections are built into the process because the unexpected is expected. Weather changes. Winds shift. But the destination remains the same—and they keep adjusting until they land safely.

The same principle applies to your financial life. We build your plan using the best data available—making thoughtful assumptions about returns, taxes, inflation, goals, and more. But the moment the plan is complete, we know one thing for sure: it will be wrong. We just don’t know how yet.

That’s not a flaw. It’s reality.

Real planning is what happens next. It’s the process of revisiting, refining, and adjusting—so you can stay on track, even when the world around you changes.

That’s why our team is here: not just to build your plan, but to keep you flying steady all the way to your destination.

Take the Long View.

Exciting News: Our ETF Featured in Bloomberg

We’re thrilled to share some exciting recognition for Hill Investment Group and our upcoming Longview Advantage ETF (ticker: EBI). Bloomberg recently published an article highlighting this innovative fund launch, describing it as part of a growing trend that is reshaping how investors approach tax efficiency. We’re honored to be included in this discussion and to be bringing a cutting-edge solution to our clients and the market.

Here are some highlights from the article and why this matters to you:

A $500 Million ETF: The Next Big Tax-Efficient Launch
The Longview Advantage ETF, set to launch on February 25, 2025, will debut with an estimated $500 million in assets expected in the first month (likely making it one of the more successful launches in 2025). This fund is unique because it’s designed to help investors defer taxes while rebalancing their portfolios. Through a strategy known as a 351 conversion, investors can exchange their existing securities for shares in the ETF without triggering a capital gains tax bill.

This approach has been compared to tools like 1031 exchanges for real estate but with the added liquidity and flexibility of an ETF. It’s a powerful way to gain diversification without losing to taxes in the process.

Built on Evidence-Based Investing
At Hill Investment Group, of course, you know we believe in strategies grounded in academic research. Under the leadership of Matt Zenz, formerly of Dimensional Fund Advisors, the Longview Advantage ETF will use a systematic approach to select stocks based on lower valuations and higher profitability – two factors expected to drive long-term performance.

Our commitment to evidence-based investing ensures that the fund is not only tax-efficient but also built to deliver meaningful results over time.

Why This Matters
Some investors feel stuck holding appreciated securities, unable to rebalance without incurring significant taxes, this ETF is a solution for them. By converting assets into shares of the Longview Advantage ETF, investors can:

  • Diversify their portfolios,
  • Defer capital gains taxes until they sell ETF shares,
  • Align with a strategy designed for long-term success (which is what we care most about).

As Matt Hall shared with Bloomberg:
“To be able to get diversification and defer the taxes — for us, it’s the best financial planning idea we’re bringing to certain clients in 2025.”

What’s Next?
We’re counting down to February 25, when the Longview Advantage ETF will officially launch. This milestone represents our commitment to bringing thoughtful, innovative solutions to investors. We’re also engaging with financial advisors and family offices nationwide to expand access to this unique offering.

You can read the full Bloomberg article for additional details about the launch and its broader impact on the industry.

Thank you for being part of the Hill Investment Group journey. Everything we do is about putting the odds of long-term success on your side. The Longview Advantage ETF (EBI) is another example of our commitment to this objective.

Highlighting the Value of Independent Advice: Our NYT Feature in a Charles Schwab Campaign

I’m excited to share some recent news: Besides the television ads we’ve mentioned, I’ve had the privilege of being featured in a recent New York Times advertising campaign by Charles Schwab, celebrating the work of independent financial advisors. The campaign highlights the unique value we bring to our clients by considering their entire lives when managing their financial futures.

When people see the ad, they often ask, “How did you get selected for this?” It’s a good question, and the answer is simple: Schwab invited me to participate. We’re not paid to be in this ad, and we don’t pay anything to be featured. We chose to be involved because we believe wholeheartedly in the power of independent advice.

My quote in the ad says, “Your dreams deserve more personal attention,” and that’s not just a tagline—it’s core to the philosophy that drives us at Hill Investment Group. Unlike the traditional brokerage firms or wirehouses that are often more focused on sales targets, independent advisors are free to prioritize what truly matters: you and your goals. We’re not just managing portfolios; we’re connecting your investments to your big picture, your dreams, and your life.

We’re honored to be part of this campaign because it gives us an opportunity to share the story of independent advice with a broader audience. It’s a story about how personalized, unbiased guidance can make a real difference in people’s lives and how being independent allows us to align our interests with those of our clients.

Being featured in the campaign is not just about recognition; it’s about raising awareness of the benefits of working with independent advisors. It’s about championing a model that puts clients first, free from the conflicts of interest that can come with sales-driven environments. At Hill Investment Group, we’re proud to be part of this community and to show what’s possible when your dreams truly receive the personal attention they deserve.

If you have any questions about what it means to be an independent advisor or how we connect your portfolio to your life, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you dream bigger, plan smarter, and live fully.

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Featured entries from our Journal

Details Are Part of Our Difference

Embracing the Evidence at Anheuser-Busch – Mid 1980s

529 Best Practices

David Booth on How to Choose an Advisor

The One Minute Audio Clip You Need to Hear

Hill Investment Group