Overview

Assets Under Management: $258 million
Headquarters: TRAVERSE CITY, MI
High-Net-Worth Clients: 87
Average Client Assets: $2 million

Services Offered

Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals, Pension Consulting, Investment Advisor Selection

Fee Structure

Primary Fee Schedule (ADV PART 2A- BLUEPRINT PARTNERS LLC)

MinMaxMarginal Fee Rate
$0 $1,000,000 1.00%
$1,000,001 $2,000,000 0.85%
$2,000,001 $3,000,000 0.75%
$3,000,001 $5,000,000 0.65%
$5,000,001 and above 0.50%
Illustrative Fee Rates
Total AssetsAnnual FeesAverage Fee Rate
$1 million $10,000 1.00%
$5 million $39,000 0.78%
$10 million $64,000 0.64%
$50 million $264,000 0.53%
$100 million $514,000 0.51%

Clients

Number of High-Net-Worth Clients: 87
Percentage of Firm Assets Belonging to High-Net-Worth Clients: 81.68
Average High-Net-Worth Client Assets: $2 million
Total Client Accounts: 875
Non-Discretionary Accounts: 875

Regulatory Filings

CRD Number: 312902
Last Filing Date: 2025-01-22 00:00:00
Website: https://blueprint.family

Form ADV Documents

Primary Brochure: ADV PART 2A- BLUEPRINT PARTNERS LLC (2025-04-21)

View Document Text
Blueprint Partners, LLC Firm Brochure - Form ADV Part 2A This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Blueprint Partners, LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at (231) 668-4147 or by email at: chris@blueprint.family. The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority. Additional information about Blueprint Partners, LLC is also available on the SEC’s website at www.advisorinfo.sec.gov. Blueprint Partners, LLC’s CRD number is: 312902. 10238 E Cherry Bend Rd Traverse City, MI 49684 (231) 668-4147 chris@blueprint.family www.blueprint.family Registration as an investment advisor does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Version Date: 04/21/2025 i Item 2: Material Changes The material changes in this brochure from the last annual updating amendment on January 31, 2024, of Blueprint Partners, LLC are described below. Material changes relate to Blueprint Partners, LLC’s policies, practices or conflicts of interests. • None. ii Item 3: Table of Contents Item 1: Cover Page Item 2: Material Changes .................................................................................................................................. ii Item 3: Table of Contents................................................................................................................................. iii Item 4: Advisory Business................................................................................................................................. 2 Item 5: Fees and Compensation ....................................................................................................................... 4 Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ................................................................. 7 Item 7: Types of Clients..................................................................................................................................... 7 Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss .............................................................. 7 Item 9: Disciplinary Information ................................................................................................................... 10 Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ........................................................................ 11 Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ................12 Item 12: Brokerage Practices ...........................................................................................................................13 Item 13: Review of Accounts ............................................................................................................................ 15 Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation .......................................................................................16 Item 15: Custody ............................................................................................................................................... 17 Item 16: Investment Discretion ....................................................................................................................... 17 Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting) ............................................................................................ 17 Item 18: Financial Information ....................................................................................................................... 17 iii Item 4: Advisory Business A. Description of the Advisory Firm Blueprint Partners, LLC (hereinafter “Blueprint”) is a Limited Liability Company organized in the State of Michigan. The firm was formed in February 2021, and the principal owners are Christopher Dale Millward and Jonathan Erik Gruber. B. Types of Advisory Services Portfolio Management Services Blueprint offers ongoing portfolio management services based on the individual goals, objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance of each client. Blueprint creates an Investment Policy Statement for each client, which outlines the client’s current situation (income, tax levels and risk tolerance levels). Portfolio management services include, but are not limited to, the following: Investment strategy Asset allocation Risk tolerance • • • Personal investment policy Asset selection Regular portfolio monitoring • • • Blueprint evaluates the current investments of each client with respect to their risk tolerance levels and time horizon. Risk tolerance levels are documented in the Investment Policy Statement, which is given to each client. Blueprint seeks to provide that investment decisions are made in accordance with the fiduciary duties owed to its accounts and without consideration of Blueprint’s economic, investment or other financial interests. To meet its fiduciary obligations, Blueprint attempts to avoid, among other things, investment or trading practices that systematically advantage or disadvantage certain client portfolios, and accordingly, Blueprint’s policy is to seek fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities/transactions among its clients to avoid favoring one client over another over time. It is Blueprint’s policy to allocate investment opportunities and transactions it identifies as being appropriate and prudent among its clients on a fair and equitable basis over time. Selection of Other Advisors Blueprint offers certain of its investment management services through a third-party managed account platform operated by Envestnet. The platform allows investment advisors, such as the Firm, to manage client assets through managed accounts on the Envestnet Platform. Client assets may be allocated to custom model portfolios constructed by the Firm or among various Independent Managers offering advisory services through the Envestnet Platform. Blueprint conducts due diligence on any third-party investment 2 advisor, which may involve one or more of the following: phone calls, meetings and review of the third-party advisor's performance and investment strategy. Blueprint then makes investments with a third-party investment advisor by referring the client to the third-party advisor. Blueprint will review the ongoing performance of the third-party advisor as a portion of the client's portfolio. Pension Consulting Services Blueprint offers consulting services to pension or other employee benefit plans (including but not limited to 401(k) plans). Pension consulting may include, but is not limited to: identifying investment objectives and restrictions o o providing guidance on various assets classes and investment options o recommending money managers to manage plan assets in ways designed to achieve objectives o monitoring performance of money managers and investment options and making recommendations for changes o recommending other service providers, such as custodians, administrators and broker-dealers o creating a written pension consulting plan These services are based on the goals, objectives, demographics, time horizon, and/or risk tolerance of the plan and its participants. Financial Planning Financial plans and financial planning may include but are not limited to: investment planning; estate planning; business planning; life insurance; tax concerns; retirement planning; college planning; and debt/credit planning. Services Limited to Specific Types of Investments Blueprint generally limits its investment advice to mutual funds, fixed income securities, equities, ETFs (including ETFs in the gold and precious metal sectors), treasury inflation protected/inflation linked bonds, non-U.S. securities and insurance products including annuities. Blueprint may use other securities as well to help diversify a portfolio when applicable. C. Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions Blueprint offers the same suite of services to all of its clients. However, specific client investment strategies and their implementation are dependent upon the client Investment Policy Statement which outlines each client’s current situation (income, tax levels, and risk tolerance levels). Clients may impose restrictions in investing in certain securities or types of securities in accordance with their values or beliefs. 3 D. Wrap Fee Programs A wrap fee program is an investment program where the investor pays one stated fee that includes management fees, transaction costs, fund expenses and other administrative fees. Blueprint does not participate in any wrap fee programs. E. Assets Under Management Blueprint has the following assets under management: Discretionary Amounts: Non-discretionary Amounts: Date Calculated: $ 0.00 $ 257,768,883.00 January 2025 Item 5: Fees and Compensation A. Fee Schedule Portfolio Management Fees Total Assets Under Management Annual Fees $0 - $1,000,000 1.00% $1,000,001 - $2,000,000 0.85% $2,000,001 - $3,000,000 0.75% $3,000,001 - $5,000,000 0.65% $5,000,001 – And up 0.50% The firm bills in advance, which means the advisory fee is calculated using the value of the assets in the Account on the last business day of the prior billing period. These fees are generally negotiable, and the final fee schedule will be memorialized in the client’s advisory agreement. Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty for a full refund of Blueprint's fees within five business days of signing the Investment Advisory Contract. Thereafter, clients may terminate the Investment Advisory Contract immediately upon written notice. Selection of Other Advisors Fees Blueprint will receive its standard fee on top of the fee paid to the third-party advisor. This relationship will be memorialized in each contract between Blueprint and each third- 4 party advisor. The fees will not exceed any limit imposed by any regulatory agency. Specifically, Blueprint may direct clients to Envestnet CRD# 111694. These fees are negotiable. The fee schedule is a blended fee schedule and advisory fees are based on the average daily balance of the client’s account. Blueprint fee schedule is as follows: Total Assets Under Management Annual Fees $0 - $1,000,000 1.00% $1,000,001 - $2,000,000 0.85% $2,000,001 - $3,000,000 0.75% $3,000,001 - $5,000,000 0.65% $5,000,001 – And up 0.50% Envestnet CRD# 111694 fee schedule is as follows: Total Assets Under Management Annual Fees All Assets 0.04% - 0.50% For services provided by Blueprint and Envestnet, the client will be charged no more than 1.50% of AUM. These fees are generally negotiable, and the final fee schedule will be memorialized in the client’s advisory agreement between Envestnet and the client. Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty, for a full refund of Blueprint’s fees, within five business days of signing the contract. Thereafter, clients may terminate the contract generally upon written notice. Pension Consulting Services Fees The rate for pension consulting services is up to 0.50% of the plan assets for which Blueprint is providing such consulting services. These fees are negotiable. Financial Planning Fees Fixed Fees The negotiated fixed rate for creating client financial plans is up to 0.20% of a client’s net worth with a minimum fee of $1,000. Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty, for a full refund of Blueprint’s fees, within five business days of signing the Financial Planning Agreement. Thereafter, clients may terminate the Financial Planning Agreement generally upon written notice. 5 B. Payment of Fees Payment of Portfolio Management Fees Asset-based portfolio management fees are withdrawn directly from the client's accounts with client's written authorization on a quarterly basis. Fees are paid in advance. Payment of Selection of Other Advisors Fees Fees for selection of Envestnet as third-party advisor are withdrawn directly from the client's accounts by Envestnet with client's written authorization. Fees are paid quarterly in advance. Payment of Pension Consulting Services Fees Pension consulting fees are withdrawn directly from the client’s accounts with client’s written authorization or may be invoiced and billed directly to the client and clients may select the method in which they are billed. Fees are paid quarterly in arrears. Payment of Financial Planning Fees Financial planning fees are paid via check and wire. Fixed financial planning fees are paid 100% in advance, but never more than six months in advance. C. Client Responsibility For Third Party Fees Clients are responsible for the payment of all third-party fees (i.e. custodian fees, brokerage fees, mutual fund fees, transaction fees, etc.). Those fees are separate and distinct from the fees and expenses charged by Blueprint. Please see Item 12 of this brochure regarding broker-dealer/custodian. D. Prepayment of Fees Blueprint collects fees in advance. Refunds for fees paid in advance but not yet earned will be refunded on a prorated basis and returned within fourteen days to the client via check or return deposit back into the client’s account. For all asset-based fees paid in advance, the fee refunded will be equal to the balance of the fees collected in advance minus the daily rate* times the number of days elapsed in the billing period up to and including the day of termination. (*The daily rate is calculated by dividing the annual asset-based fee rate by 365.) 6 Fixed fees that are collected in advance will be refunded based on the prorated amount of work completed at the point of termination. E. Outside Compensation For the Sale of Securities to Clients Neither Blueprint nor its supervised persons accept any compensation for the sale of investment products, including asset-based sales charges or service fees from the sale of mutual funds. Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management Blueprint does not accept performance-based fees or other fees based on a share of capital gains on or capital appreciation of the assets of a client. Item 7: Types of Clients Blueprint generally provides advisory services to the following types of clients: Individuals High-Net-Worth Individuals Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans ❖ ❖ ❖ There is no account minimum for any of Blueprint’s services. Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss A. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies Methods of Analysis Blueprint’s methods of analysis include Fundamental analysis and Modern portfolio theory. Fundamental analysis involves the analysis of financial statements, the general financial health of companies, and/or the analysis of management or competitive advantages. Modern portfolio theory is a theory of investment that attempts to maximize portfolio expected return for a given amount of portfolio risk, or equivalently minimize risk for a given level of expected return, each by carefully choosing the proportions of various asset classes. 7 Investment Strategies Blueprint uses long term trading. Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear. B. Material Risks Involved Methods of Analysis Fundamental analysis concentrates on factors that determine a company’s value and expected future earnings. This strategy would normally encourage equity purchases in stocks that are undervalued or priced below their perceived value. The risk assumed is that the market will fail to reach expectations of perceived value. Modern portfolio theory assumes that investors are risk averse, meaning that given two portfolios that offer the same expected return, investors will prefer the less risky one. Thus, an investor will take on increased risk only if compensated by higher expected returns. Conversely, an investor who wants higher expected returns must accept more risk. The exact trade-off will be the same for all investors, but different investors will evaluate the trade-off differently based on individual risk aversion characteristics. The implication is that a rational investor will not invest in a portfolio if a second portfolio exists with a more favorable risk-expected return profile – i.e., if for that level of risk an alternative portfolio exists which has better expected returns. Investment Strategies Long term trading is designed to capture market rates of both return and risk. Due to its nature, the long-term investment strategy can expose clients to various types of risk that will typically surface at various intervals during the time the client owns the investments. These risks include but are not limited to inflation (purchasing power) risk, interest rate risk, economic risk, market risk, and political/regulatory risk. Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear. C. Risks of Specific Securities Utilized Clients should be aware that there is a material risk of loss using any investment strategy. The investment types listed below (leaving aside Treasury Inflation Protected/Inflation Linked Bonds) are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC or any other government agency. 8 Mutual Funds: Investing in mutual funds carries the risk of capital loss and thus you may lose money investing in mutual funds. All mutual funds have costs that lower investment returns. The funds can be of bond “fixed income” nature (lower risk) or stock “equity” nature. Equity investment generally refers to buying shares of stocks in return for receiving a future payment of dividends and/or capital gains if the value of the stock increases. The value of equity securities may fluctuate in response to specific situations for each company, industry conditions and the general economic environments. Fixed income investments generally pay a return on a fixed schedule, though the amount of the payments can vary. This type of investment can include corporate and government debt securities, leveraged loans, high yield, and investment grade debt and structured products, such as mortgage and other asset-backed securities, although individual bonds may be the best-known type of fixed income security. In general, the fixed income market is volatile and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk, liquidity risk, call risk, and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. The risk of default on treasury inflation protected/inflation linked bonds is dependent upon the U.S. Treasury defaulting (extremely unlikely); however, they carry a potential risk of losing share price value, albeit rather minimal. Risks of investing in foreign fixed income securities also include the general risk of non-U.S. investing described below. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): An ETF is an investment fund traded on stock exchanges, similar to stocks. Investing in ETFs carries the risk of capital loss (sometimes up to a 100% loss in the case of a stock holding bankruptcy). Areas of concern include the lack of transparency in products and increasing complexity, conflicts of interest and the possibility of inadequate regulatory compliance. Risks in investing in ETFs include trading risks, liquidity and shutdown risks, risks associated with a change in authorized participants and non-participation of authorized participants, risks that trading price differs from indicative net asset value (iNAV), or price fluctuation and disassociation from the index being tracked. With regard to trading risks, regular trading adds cost to your portfolio thus counteracting the low fees that is one of the typical benefits of ETFs. Additionally, regular trading to beneficially “time the market” is difficult to achieve. Even paid fund managers struggle to do this every year, with the majority failing to beat the relevant indexes. With regard to liquidity and shutdown risks, not all ETFs have the same level of liquidity. Since ETFs are at least as liquid as their underlying assets, trading conditions are more accurately reflected in implied liquidity rather than the average daily volume of the ETF itself. Implied liquidity is a measure of what can potentially be traded in ETFs based on its underlying assets. ETFs are subject to market volatility and the risks of their underlying securities, which may include the risks associated with investing in smaller companies, foreign securities, commodities, and fixed income investments (as applicable). Foreign securities in particular are subject to interest rate, currency exchange rate, economic, and political risks, all of which are magnified in emerging markets. ETFs that target a small universe of securities, such as a specific region or market sector, are generally subject to greater market volatility, as well as to the specific risks associated with 9 that sector, region, or other focus. ETFs that use derivatives, leverage, or complex investment strategies are subject to additional risks. Precious Metal ETFs (e.g., Gold, Silver, or Palladium Bullion backed “electronic shares” not physical metal) specifically may be negatively impacted by several unique factors, among them (1) large sales by the official sector which own a significant portion of aggregate world holdings in gold and other precious metals, (2) a significant increase in hedging activities by producers of gold or other precious metals, (3) a significant change in the attitude of speculators and investors. The return of an index ETF is usually different from that of the index it tracks because of fees, expenses and tracking error. An ETF may trade at a premium or discount to its net asset value (NAV) (or indicative value in the case of exchange-traded notes). The degree of liquidity can vary significantly from one ETF to another, and losses may be magnified if no liquid market exists for the ETF’s shares when attempting to sell them. Each ETF has a unique risk profile, detailed in its prospectus, offering circular, or similar material, which should be considered carefully when making investment decisions. Annuities are a retirement product for those who may have the ability to pay a premium now and want to guarantee they receive certain monthly payments or a return on investment later in the future. Annuities are contracts issued by a life insurance company designed to meet requirements or other long-term goals. An annuity is not a life insurance policy. Variable annuities are designed to be long-term investments, to meet retirement and other long-range goals. Variable annuities are not suitable for meeting short-term goals because substantial taxes and insurance company charges may apply if you withdraw your money early. Variable annuities also involve investment risks just as mutual funds do. Non-U.S. securities present certain risks such as currency fluctuation, political and economic change, social unrest, changes in government regulation, differences in accounting and the lesser degree of accurate public information available. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear. Item 9: Disciplinary Information A. Criminal or Civil Actions There are no criminal or civil actions to report. B. Administrative Proceedings There are no administrative proceedings to report. C. Self-regulatory Organization (SRO) Proceedings 10 There are no self-regulatory organization proceedings to report. Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations A. Registration as a Broker/Dealer or Broker/Dealer Representative Neither Blueprint nor its representatives are registered as, or have pending applications to become, a broker/dealer or a representative of a broker/dealer. B. Registration as a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool Operator, or a Commodity Trading Advisor Neither Blueprint nor its representatives are registered as or have pending applications to become either a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool Operator, or Commodity Trading Advisor or an associated person of the foregoing entities. C. Registration Relationships Material to this Advisory Business and Possible Conflicts of Interests Christopher Dale Millward is an independent licensed insurance agent, and from time to time, will offer clients advice or products from those activities. Clients should be aware that these services pay a commission or other compensation and involve a conflict of interest, as commissionable products conflict with the fiduciary duties of a registered investment advisor. Blueprint always acts in the best interest of the client; including the sale of commissionable products to advisory clients. Clients are in no way required to utilize the services of any representative of Blueprint in connection with such individual's activities outside of Blueprint. Christopher Dale Millward and Jonathan Erik Gruber are the owners of Blueprint Legacy LLC and GM LLC. Jonathan Erik Gruber is an independent licensed insurance agent, and from time to time, will offer clients advice or products from those activities. Clients should be aware that these services pay a commission or other compensation and involve a conflict of interest, as commissionable products conflict with the fiduciary duties of a registered investment advisor. Blueprint always acts in the best interest of the client; including the sale of commissionable products to advisory clients. Clients are in no way required to utilize the services of any representative of Blueprint in connection with such individual's activities outside of Blueprint. Jonathan Erik Gruber is the owner of MaxJack LLC. Stacy Lynn Hendrickson is an independent licensed insurance agent, and from time to time, will offer clients advice or products from those activities. Clients should be aware 11 that these services pay a commission or other compensation and involve a conflict of interest, as commissionable products conflict with the fiduciary duties of a registered investment advisor. Blueprint always acts in the best interest of the client; including the sale of commissionable products to advisory clients. Clients are in no way required to utilize the services of any representative of Blueprint in connection with such individual's activities outside of Blueprint. Stacy Lynn Hendrickson is the owner of SH Legacy, LLC. Ann Maureen Bollinger is an independent licensed insurance agent, and from time to time, will offer clients advice or products from those activities. Clients should be aware that these services pay a commission or other compensation and involve a conflict of interest, as commissionable products conflict with the fiduciary duties of a registered investment advisor. Blueprint always acts in the best interest of the client; including the sale of commissionable products to advisory clients. Clients are in no way required to utilize the services of any representative of Blueprint in connection with such individual's activities outside of Blueprint. Ann Maureen Bollinger is the owner of Boann, LLC and Boann II, LLC. D. Selection of Other Advisors or Managers and How This Advisor is Compensated for Those Selections Blueprint has discretion to choose third-party investment advisors to manage all or a portion of the client's assets. Clients will pay Blueprint its standard fee in addition to the standard fee for the advisors to which it directs those clients. This relationship will be memorialized in each contract between Blueprint and each third-party advisor. The fees will not exceed any limit imposed by any regulatory agency. Blueprint will always act in the best interests of the client, including when determining which third-party investment advisor to recommend to clients. Blueprint will ensure that all recommended advisors are licensed or notice filed in the states in which Blueprint is recommending them to clients. Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading A. Code of Ethics Blueprint has a written Code of Ethics that covers the following areas: Prohibited Purchases and Sales, Insider Trading, Personal Securities Transactions, Exempted Transactions, Prohibited Activities, Conflicts of Interest, Gifts and Entertainment, Confidentiality, Service on a Board of Directors, Compliance Procedures, Compliance with Laws and Regulations, Procedures and Reporting, Certification of Compliance, Reporting Violations, Compliance Officer Duties, Training and Education, Recordkeeping, Annual Review, and Sanctions. Blueprint's Code of Ethics is available free upon request to any client or prospective client. 12 B. Recommendations Involving Material Financial Interests Blueprint does not recommend that clients buy or sell any security in which a related person to Blueprint or Blueprint has a material financial interest. C. Investing Personal Money in the Same Securities as Clients From time to time, representatives of Blueprint may buy or sell securities for themselves that they also recommend to clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives of Blueprint to buy or sell the same securities before or after recommending the same securities to clients resulting in representatives profiting off the recommendations they provide to clients. Such transactions may create a conflict of interest. Blueprint will always document any transactions that could be construed as conflicts of interest and will never engage in trading that operates to the client’s disadvantage when similar securities are being bought or sold. D. Trading Securities At/Around the Same Time as Clients’ Securities From time to time, representatives of Blueprint may buy or sell securities for themselves at or around the same time as clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives of Blueprint to buy or sell securities before or after recommending securities to clients resulting in representatives profiting from the recommendations they provide to clients. Such transactions may create a conflict of interest; however, Blueprint will never engage in trading that operates to the client’s disadvantage if representatives of Blueprint buy or sell securities at or around the same time as clients. Item 12: Brokerage Practices A. Factors Used to Select Custodians Custodians will be recommended based on Blueprint’s duty to seek “best execution,” which is the obligation to seek to execute securities transactions for a client on terms that are the most favorable to the client under the circumstances. The client will not necessarily pay the lowest commission or commission equivalent, and Blueprint may also consider the market expertise and research access provided by the payment of commissions, including but not limited to access to written research, oral communication with analysts, admittance to research conferences and other resources provided by the brokers to aid in the research efforts of Blueprint. Blueprint will never charge a premium or commission on transactions, beyond the actual cost imposed by the broker-dealer/custodian. Blueprint will recommend clients to use Schwab Institutional, a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 13 1. Research and Other Soft-Dollar Benefits Blueprint has access to research, products, or other services from its custodian in connection with client securities transactions (“soft dollar benefits”) consistent with (and not outside of) the safe harbor contained in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and may consider these benefits in recommending brokers. There can be no assurance that any particular client will benefit from any particular soft dollar research or other benefits. Blueprint benefits by not having to produce or pay for the research, products or services, and Blueprint will have an incentive to recommend a broker dealer based on receiving research or services. Clients should be aware that Blueprint’s acceptance of soft dollar benefits may result in higher commissions charged to the client. 2. Brokerage for Client Referrals Blueprint receives no referrals from a broker-dealer or third party in exchange for using that broker-dealer or third party. 3. Clients Directing Which Custodian to Use Blueprint may permit clients to direct it to execute transactions through a specified custodian. Clients must refer to their advisory agreements for a complete understanding of how they may be permitted to direct brokerage. If a client directs brokerage, the client will be required to acknowledge in writing that the client’s direction with respect to the use of brokers supersedes any authority granted to Blueprint to select brokers; this direction may result in higher commissions, which may result in a disparity between free and directed accounts; and trades for the client and other directed accounts may be executed after trades for free accounts, which may result in less favorable prices, particularly for illiquid securities or during volatile market conditions. Not all investment advisors allow their clients to direct brokerage. B. Aggregating (Block) Trading for Multiple Client Accounts If Blueprint buys or sells the same securities on behalf of more than one client, it might, but would be under no obligation to, aggregate or bunch, to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, the securities to be purchased or sold for multiple clients in order to seek more favorable prices, lower brokerage commissions or more efficient execution. In such case, Blueprint would place an aggregate order with the broker on behalf of all such clients in order to ensure fairness for all clients; provided, however, that trades would be reviewed periodically to ensure that accounts are not systematically disadvantaged by this policy. Blueprint would determine the appropriate number of shares to place with brokers and will select the appropriate brokers consistent with Blueprint’s duty to seek best execution, except for those accounts with specific brokerage direction (if any). When Blueprint does not or cannot aggregate trades, clients may receive 14 less favorable prices, pay higher brokerage commissions, or experience less efficient trade execution. Item 13: Review of Accounts A. Frequency and Nature of Periodic Reviews and Who Makes Those Reviews A random sample of client accounts for Blueprint's advisory services provided on an ongoing basis are reviewed at least annually by Christopher D Millward, CCO, with regard to clients’ respective investment policies and risk tolerance levels. All accounts at Blueprint are assigned to this reviewer. All financial planning accounts are reviewed upon financial plan creation and plan delivery by Christopher D Millward, CCO. Financial planning clients are provided a one- time, or ongoing if desired, financial plan concerning their financial situation. After the presentation of the plan, there are no further reports. Clients may request additional plans or reports for a fee. B. Factors That Will Trigger a Non-Periodic Review of Client Accounts Reviews may be triggered by material market, economic or political events, or by changes in client's financial situations (such as retirement, termination of employment, physical move or inheritance). With respect to financial plans, Blueprint’s services will generally conclude upon delivery of the financial plan. C. Content and Frequency of Regular Reports Provided to Clients Each client of Blueprint's advisory services provided on an ongoing basis will receive a quarterly report detailing the client’s account, including assets held, asset value, and fees. This written report will come from the custodian. Blueprint will also provide at least quarterly a separate written statement to the client. Each financial planning client will receive the financial plan upon completion. 15 Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation A. Economic Benefits Provided by Third Parties for Advice Rendered to Clients (Includes Sales Awards or Other Prizes) Blueprint does not receive any economic benefit, directly or indirectly from any third party for advice rendered to Blueprint's clients. With respect to Schwab, Blueprint receives access to Schwab’s institutional trading and custody services, which are typically not available to Schwab retail investors. These services generally are available to independent investment advisors on an unsolicited basis, at no charge to them so long as a total of at least $10 million of the advisor’s clients’ assets are maintained in accounts at Schwab Advisor Services. Schwab’s services include brokerage services that are related to the execution of securities transactions, custody, research, including that in the form of advice, analyses and reports, and access to mutual funds and other investments that are otherwise generally available only to institutional investors or would require a significantly higher minimum initial investment. For Blueprint client accounts maintained in its custody, Schwab generally does not charge separately for custody services but is compensated by account holders through commissions or other transaction-related or asset-based fees for securities trades that are executed through Schwab or that settle into Schwab accounts. Schwab also makes available to Blueprint other products and services that benefit Blueprint but may not benefit its clients’ accounts. These benefits may include national, regional or Blueprint specific educational events organized and/or sponsored by Schwab Advisor Services. Other potential benefits may include occasional business entertainment of personnel of Blueprint by Schwab Advisor Services personnel, including meals, invitations to sporting events, including golf tournaments, and other forms of entertainment, some of which may accompany educational opportunities. Other of these products and services assist Blueprint in managing and administering clients’ accounts. These include software and other technology (and related technological training) that provide access to client account data (such as trade confirmations and account statements), facilitate trade execution (and allocation of aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts, if applicable), provide research, pricing information and other market data, facilitate payment of Blueprint’s fees from its clients’ accounts (if applicable), and assist with back-office training and support functions, recordkeeping and client reporting. Many of these services generally may be used to service all or some substantial number of Blueprint’s accounts. Schwab Advisor Services also makes available to Blueprint other services intended to help Blueprint manage and further develop its business enterprise. These services may include professional compliance, legal and business consulting, publications and conferences on practice management, information technology, business succession, regulatory compliance, employee benefits providers, human capital consultants, insurance and marketing. In addition, Schwab may make available, arrange and/or pay vendors for these types of services rendered to Blueprint by independent third parties. Schwab Advisor Services may discount or waive fees it would otherwise charge for some of these services or pay all or a part of the fees of a third- party providing these services to Blueprint. Blueprint is independently owned and operated and not affiliated with Schwab. 16 B. Compensation to Non – Advisory Personnel for Client Referrals Blueprint does not directly or indirectly compensate any person who is not advisory personnel for client referrals. Item 15: Custody When advisory fees are deducted directly from client accounts at client's custodian, Blueprint will be deemed to have limited custody of client's assets and must have written authorization from the client to do so. Clients will receive all account statements and billing invoices that are required in each jurisdiction, and they should carefully review those statements for accuracy. Item 16: Investment Discretion Blueprint does not have discretion over client accounts at any time. Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting) Blueprint will not ask for, nor accept voting authority for client securities. Clients will receive proxies directly from the issuer of the security or the custodian. Clients should direct all proxy questions to the issuer of the security. Item 18: Financial Information A. Balance Sheet Blueprint neither requires nor solicits prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees per client, six months or more in advance, and therefore is not required to include a balance sheet with this brochure. B. Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Ability to Meet Contractual Commitments to Clients Neither Blueprint nor its management has any financial condition that is likely to reasonably impair Blueprint’s ability to meet contractual commitments to clients. 17 C. Bankruptcy Petitions in Previous Ten Years Blueprint has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition in the last ten years. 18