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.

This is the time of year we tend to remind ourselves of all we have to be grateful for. Over the Thanksgiving break, I recalled the highlights of my year in different categories. What were my professional high points, personal milestones, family memories, and noteworthy developments in my community? One moment that stood out was a note I received (unprompted) this summer from a long-time client of our firm. Our client’s sentiment is at the heart of our work and why our entire team finds meaning in our service. No organization is perfect, but when we get it right, we are lucky enough to help people achieve better outcomes with less worry. And when it happens and is recognized, it’s one of the sweetest feelings we get in our profession – knowing that we have quieted the noise and helped someone take a longer view in their journey toward real wealth is as good as it gets for us at Hill Investment Group.

“Hi Matt, just FYI…I told John Reagan yesterday in our annual touch base I spend about 15 minutes/month thinking/worrying about investment stuff. It took me a while to get there, but thanks to Hill, I made it. My wife continues to say you folks saved our lives from stress as I drove her nuts stressing before our Hill days. So here’s an example of what I stress about now…woke up yesterday morning at 3 am worrying if I should put the giant blow-up pool slide out this weekend for the final summer blast of 30-40 people at our pool. The grandkids will terrorize the adults launching off it into the pool! But if it’s not there, the kids will be so disappointed! So these are the types of stress thoughts Hill has driven me to! I never went back to sleep.”

On behalf of our entire firm, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives. We are grateful for the role you allow us to play and deeply value your continued trust!

Hill Investment Group

This testimonial was provided by a current client. This client was not compensated for this statement.

My grade-school-age kids recently returned to school, which made me think about being a little kid again. Summer was always a time of unbridled joy and freedom for me. Even as a kid, I knew summer meant I had the freedom to get on my bike and ride to the nearby pool or meet up with my neighborhood friends for a game of street hockey because my schedule and routine were flexible. My biggest concern was whether or not I got a hit in my baseball game!

As we get older, those feelings start to change. We take on more responsibilities – summer jobs, summer school, and ultimately adulthood. Life speeds up quickly, and we don’t always do a good job of slowing down and living in the moment. We’re constantly thinking about what’s next and what we must do to keep everything moving forward. As Harry Chapin famously sang in Cat’s in the Cradle, “There are planes to catch and bills to pay.”

On a recent family vacation to Florida, I read a book by the former Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, Leading with the Heart. Coach K uses the metaphor of his team being on a train. He reminds readers that stopping and enjoying the moments while on the train is essential. Some of those moments are big milestones we plan and prepare for, while others happen unexpectedly.

So, as summer ends and we return to our busy lives of hauling kids to their various events, traveling, and everything else we have going on, I encourage each of you to take a moment to “pause at the station.” Whether things are improving or worse than anticipated, try to enjoy the moment. Enjoy the moment.

P.S. For those looking for some light humor, I recently created unique handshakes with each of my three boys (my daughter is a bit too young to have her own). Below is a video of my youngest son, Charlie, and me doing a clumsy version of our handshake on his first day of Kindergarten – certainly a major milestone in both of our lives! 

*Apologies to long time client George Thomas for making a positive Duke reference. I hope you’ll forgive me.

**This is the same book featured prominently in the hit show The Bear (season 2).