Advisor Intel: Rachel Wood

Meet Rachel Wood

In a world where today’s financial decisions can shape a legacy, Rachel Wood, CFP®, AIF®, a financial advisor at Legacy Financial Group (LFG) (LFG), is helping clients turn their wealth into meaningful impact. 

Rachel focuses on helping families make thoughtful decisions and align all aspects of their financial situation through proper estate planning, insurance and tax strategies, retirement strategies, and philanthropic planning.

Her approach is rooted in empathy, education, and collaboration, empowering families to align their financial goals with their deepest values, ensuring their wealth reflects their unique stories and aspirations. 

A passion for helping others achieve financial confidence led to Rachel’s journey into financial planning. Growing up in a family that valued thoughtful stewardship, she learned early on the importance of aligning financial decisions with personal values. 

This foundation drives her commitment to helping clients build legacies that reflect their goals, whether it’s funding a child’s education, preserving wealth for future generations, or supporting a cause they care about. In her own words, “Financial planning is more than just money – it’s about understanding what matters most to my clients and helping them achieve it.  I love being part of that journey.”

At LFG, Rachel and her team specialize in putting the pieces together. Legacy Financial Group partners with LFG Insurance Services and LFG Tax & Accounting to make sure client’s needs are served by experts and potential risks are addressed.

The team at LFG works with attorneys or client’s other professional advisors to craft tailored solutions that address both immediate needs and long-term goals. 

Without addressing all of the areas of financial planning, a financial plan loses impact.

Consider a family that faced unexpected challenges after the loss of a loved one. Without a clear estate plan, they encountered legal complexities, strained family relationships, and financial uncertainty. 

Proper planning could have helped:

• Clear Documentation – A well-crafted estate plan would have outlined the distribution of assets and communication to the family through a letter of instruction or other means would have minimized disputes.  Updated beneficiary designations would have clearly addressed where the client’s financial assets should have been directed.
• Tax Efficiency - Strategic planning may have reduced the tax burden, preserving more wealth for the family.
• Confidence - A comprehensive plan would have provided clarity and comfort during a difficult time for the family’s heirs.

This example and Legacy Financial Group’s mission are a testament to the power of purposeful planning.  By partnering with Rachel and Legacy Financial Group, clients gain access to personalized guidance, proactive planning, and a trusted partner committed to putting their interests first.  Together, they help clients build legacies that last for generations.

Inside the Advisor’s Playbook: ETF Strategies & Insights

How significant are ETFs in your portfolio construction?¹

ETFs play a huge role in our client portfolios—76-100% of the assets we manage are allocated to ETFs.

What is your primary asset allocation approach when using ETFs?

We take a strategic long-term approach using a core-satellite strategy.

What specific types of ETFs do you use in your portfolios?

Our portfolios include a broad mix of ETFs, including mainly:

• Large Cap Index
• Small Cap Index
• Mid Cap Index
• International Developed Markets
• Emerging Markets
• Corporate Bonds
• High-Yield Bonds
• Real Estate (REITs)

Do you use advanced ETF strategies?

Yes, factor investing is a key part of our strategy.

What is your primary motivation for using specialized ETFs?

Portfolio diversification, cost efficiency, and specific market exposure. Specialized ETFs allow us to fine-tune portfolios and capture opportunities in unique market segments.

Which ETF providers do you prefer?

We primarily work with industry leaders like BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street, Invesco, Charles Schwab, and WisdomTree. However, We remain open to other providers if they offer products that fit our client’s needs.

How often do you rebalance ETF portfolios?

Semi-annually. This allows us to keep allocations aligned with client objectives while minimizing unnecessary trading costs.

Are there any emerging ETF themes that interest you?

Absolutely. We're closely watching ESG/Sustainable ETFs, AI & Technology Thematic ETFs, and Factor-Based ETFs.

Have you allocated funds to Crypto ETFs?²

We have not added Crypto ETFs to our models as we wait for more track records and regulatory clarity.

How do you explain the benefits of ETFs to clients?

We break it down into three simple advantages:

1. Cost Efficiency
2. Tax Efficiency
3. Flexibility

How do you stay informed and up-to-date with ETF trends?

We rely on direct calls with product specialists, online research platforms, and webinars to stay ahead of market developments and product innovations.

How valuable are in-person meetings or webinars hosted by ETF issuers for your understanding and decision-making?

We have an investment committee that meets periodically. We schedule meetings when appropriate for us. We value our independence but also appreciate the added insights of our ETF partners when we feel it is appropriate.

Do you expect any significant asset allocation shifts in the next 12 months?

We focus on long-term investing for our clients. We think we will continue to see market volatility given changing governmental policies and inflation. That said, we also feel there are investment and planning opportunities.

Disclaimers

¹Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are sold by prospectus. Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus, which contains this and other information about the investment company, can be obtained from the Fund Company or your financial professional. Be sure to read the prospectus carefully before deciding whether to invest.

² Cryptocurrency is a digital representation of value that functions as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, or a store of value, but it does not have legal tender status. Cryptocurrencies are sometimes exchanged for U.S. dollars or other currencies around the world, but they are not generally backed or supported by any government or central bank. Their value is completely derived by market forces of supply and demand, and they are more volatile than traditional currencies. Cryptocurrencies are not covered by either FDIC or SIPC insurance. Legislative and regulatory changes or actions at the state, federal, or international level may adversely affect the use, transfer, exchange, and value of cryptocurrency.

Purchasing cryptocurrencies comes with a number of risks, including volatile market price swings or flash crashes, market manipulation, and cybersecurity risks. In addition, cryptocurrency markets and exchanges are not regulated with the same controls or customer protections available in equity, option, futures, or foreign exchange investing.