Cogent Strategic Wealth

Many people believe the biggest risk in retirement is stock market volatility.

New peer-reviewed academic research suggests something very different:

The greater long-term risk may be not owning stocks at all.

When risk is defined properly — as the loss of purchasing power, independence, and optionality over decades — globally diversified equities have historically done a better job protecting real wealth than bonds or cash.

Volatility is uncomfortable.

Running out of money is permanent.

That distinction matters more than most people realize.

How We Define Risk — Not as the movement of markets, but as the possibility of losing the life you’ve worked so hard to create - Cogent Strategic Wealth Cogent redefines risk: It's not market moves, but the chance of losing your life's dignity and independence to inflation. Learn how to protect your purchasing power.

Every few years, the stock market throws us a curveball — a decline of about a third, on average. These drops can feel uncomfortable, but they’re a natural part of the journey. The reality is, no one can consistently predict when they’ll happen or when they’ll end.

Here’s the good news: history shows that the market’s long-term trend is up. The only way to capture every step of that permanent climb is to stay invested through the temporary dips. It’s a bit like a long hike in the mountains — you can’t reach the breathtaking summit without walking through a few valleys along the way.

If you need help….we are here.

Video: How a Guide Can Help Your Financial Life - Cogent Strategic Wealth At Cogent Strategic Wealth, we educate our clients on their choices. As the leader of your family, you get to decide what is best for you. Working with Cogent Strategic Wealth, you will be able […]

Market volatility can feel unsettling—but it doesn’t have to be confusing.

🎧Dimensional Fund Advisors’s latest Informed Investor podcast breaks down what’s behind sudden spikes and how to keep perspective when markets get choppy.



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Do Choppy Markets Keep You Up at Night? | Dimensional In Episode 7 of “The Informed Investor” podcast, we discuss how to make sense of spikes in stock market volatility and whether it’s possible to prepare for them.

Feeling Uncertain About Your Financial Future?

With the world changing fast, it's natural to feel uneasy. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. Let’s talk about building a financial strategy that works for you, no matter the circumstances. Reach out for a Cogent discussion, and let's plan for the future you deserve.

Visit our YouTube channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/

Cogent Strategic Wealth Cogent Strategic Wealth offers a better solution for high achievers and earners who are at the top of their game. Our clients have a common goal: ultimately, they want work to be optional and a guide to help them do so. They find confidence and clarity knowing their definition of success is on the r...

Many high achievers reach a point where accumulating wealth is no longer the end goal—it becomes a means to a more meaningful life. At Cogent Strategic Wealth, we believe that true fulfillment comes from aligning your financial success with your personal values and purpose. 

Our “Cogent Conversations” are designed to help you explore what truly matters to you. Through personalized discussions, we work together to develop strategies that not only preserve and grow your wealth but also enable you to live an impactful life. 

If you’re ready to transform your financial success into a purposeful life, let’s start the conversation. 

High Achievers: Turning Wealth into a Purposeful Life - Cogent Strategic Wealth Discover how high achievers can transform their wealth into a purposeful life.

We are often asked about dollar cost average. Here is what our founder Michael Evans thinks about it in a nutshell...

The best time to invest is when you have the money, and the best reason to sell is when you need the money. Everything else is just noise. Stay invested, stay disciplined, and let the power of markets and compounding work for you.

Here is Focus Partner's Kevin Grogan's take on it also...

https://advisor.focuspartners.com/perspectives/pros-and-cons-of-dollar-cost-averaging/

Pros and Cons of Dollar-Cost Averaging Is it better to spread your investment over a set period or go all in at once? While research shows it’s usually better to invest the full amount upfront, there could be benefits to a staggered approach. In this short video, Focus Partners shares perspectives on dollar-cost averaging.

14 Years Smarter, Thanks to This Crew

There is so much we need to learn about our clients, their goals, their apprehensions, and their big dreams. But you also have to sharpen your skills along with that to be the best.

Kelly Daum Stanley and I spent a few great days collaborating with our fellow Focus Advisor Solutions (formerly Buckingham). Fourteen years in, and this group still pushes us to be better, think sharper, serve smarter—and, of course, share a few laughs along the way.

To all our fellow advisors who step away from their day-to-day and their families a few times a year to invest in growth, learning, and each other—you are what makes this community great. Honored to be one with you.

Special thanks to Dimensional Fund Advisors for hosting us—you keep raising the bar, and we appreciate it!

Professor Robert Novy Marks, cannot wait to see you get the Nobel you deserve!

Jonathan Scheid, CFA, AIF®, Jeffrey Levine, Vincent Crivello, thank you!

15 Years of Guiding High Achievers to Financial Freedom

Fifteen years ago, I founded Cogent Strategic Wealth with one mission: to help high-achieving professionals and entrepreneurs turn their success into lasting financial freedom.

Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand what separates those who retire with confidence from those who struggle with uncertainty—it’s not luck, it’s intentional, evidence-driven planning.

A huge thank you to our fantastic clients, wonderful team, and strategic partners who have trusted us on this journey. Also thank you to my wife, Colleen, for allowing me the time, space, and counsel throughout building a high-achieving wealth management offering!

Here’s to the next 15 years of building wealth, creating freedom, and living life on your terms!

As we mark the 15th anniversary of Cogent Strategic Wealth, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve embarked on together with our clients.

Over the years, we've had the distinct pleasure of assisting high-achieving professionals who not only strive for excellence in their careers but also deeply commit to enriching their communities. Their and my own generosity and dedication to charitable causes inspire us every day. In 2024, Cogent clients along with my own giving was in excess of $650,000.

Care & share!

This milestone anniversary is particularly meaningful as it celebrates not just our firm's growth but the profound impact our client families have made through their charitable giving.

Live relationship rich,

Michael Evans
Founder & fiduciary wealth manager

Smart Giving Strategies for the Well-Seasoned Over 70½: Maximize Tax Benefits with Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) - Cogent Strategic Wealth Maximize your charitable giving while minimizing taxes after 70½. Learn about Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) to offset RMDs and create a tax-efficient giving strategy.

Reflecting on this year’s Buckingham Strategic Partner’s Meeting, I’m reminded just how lucky I am to be surrounded by such an all-star team! 🎿

I’ve hit the slopes with (turns out, great business minds also know how to handle some powder). Had some unforgettable chats about MLB greats with (you could say we knocked those conversations out of the park). And always a pleasure trading Chicago stories with fellow Chicagoan from Cliffwater (it’s no Bulls game, but close enough 😉). Not to mention the ultra-hip, ever-brilliant from Dimensional, dropping knowledge at Cogent Cliene Dinner Conversations with Marlena that levels up our game every time.

I’m constantly amazed by how we all approach things a bit differently, but together, we’re working to help make the Cogent Team – and most importantly, our client families – better every day.

Larry Swedroe has been an incredible mentor and friend to me over the years. His ability to break down complex research and financial concepts into digestible, actionable ideas is unmatched.

Larry is the reason I sought out Buckingham over 14 years ago, and his dedication to advocating for consumers through systematic, fiduciary, fee-only investment management has been truly inspiring.

I’m so grateful for everything he’s taught me and for his friendship. Thank you, Larry, for being such a great guy and an incredible advocate for investors.

It’s why I’m here in Florida today with BSP, continuing to learn and grow!

So excited to be attending the Buckingham Strategic Partners Meeting, surrounded by incredible professionals who are passionate about helping individuals and families live Life on Their Own Terms.

It’s just great to groove with Adam Birenbaum and Jonathan Scheid, CFA, AIF® about how the value they help the Cogent Team provide just keeps evolving.

Kelly Stanley, CFP®, MBA and I are appreciate Vincent Crivello and the BSP Team in putting this on!

It’s really inspiring to learn and strategize together on everything from practice management to tax mitigation and estate planning. Grateful to be part of such a committed and knowledgeable community!

Doesn’t that sound like fun? No? Why not let us go deep and you reach out about possibly becoming a Cogebt Client?