What is the difference between you and other planners or money managers?
We offer way more bang for your buck. We do this by communicating regularly, keeping you informed, being a financial guide, helping you keep your money working, customizing as much of our service as we can to your needs, and charging the industry standard of 1% for managed assets.
In addition, we also offer financial consultations, which are meant to give easier and quicker access to a financial professional for your short-term problems or questions.
Are you fee-only and a fiduciary?
Yes, and yes. We only charge a fee for the service we provide - - a fee you are aware and know the amount of. This means we are not incentivized to sell any particular product over another nor do we sell products which generate commissions, nor create conflicts of interest.
What are your fees?
1.00% for the assets we manage for you under $1 million. Or up to $240 per hour for consultation work. Price breaks start when assets are over $1 million, or when you purchase a consultation package.
Do I have to pay for our initial meetings?
No, the first meeting is on the house. It's a way for us to get to know each other to make sure we can help. You don't pay until you become a client, which takes signing paperwork to do.
Do I need to have a minimum amount of money to work with you?
Only if you are interested in our service for ongoing investment management. That is a case-by-case basis where we would take into account how much you have saved, your spending level, and your life expectancy and make sure we aren’t putting you at risk of running out of money. There are no minimums to hire us to consult with you.
How are you compensated?
We are a fee-only firm, which means we only get compensation directly from you in the form of a service fee. We do not do any revenue sharing, receive commissions of any kind, or get kickbacks from anyone or anything.
What is your investment philosophy?
Goal based investing. We feel we're at our best when we understand you and what you're trying to accomplish. The more clarity you can share about those things, the better chance we have at being able to help you stay on track. We keep things as low-cost as we can by using Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and by scouring the investment universe for the right funds. We feel this puts our clients in the optimal position to succeed by aligning investment growth to specific goals.
What is the difference between ongoing investment management and a financial consultation?
Ongoing investment management is our service to custom-build and manage a portfolio for you. One that is tied directly to the goal(s) you want to accomplish. This is done by managing your account(s) over time through one of our custodians (TD Ameritrade or Betterment) and charging a fee from that account.
A financial consultation on the other hand is a short-term service to provide access to a financial professional to discuss a particular financial problem or scenario. This is done by paying by the hour for the advisor’s time.
What do I get with a consultation?
You get to speak with a financial professional who is unbiased and able to answer questions in a way that helps you understand your options. Our goal is to help you make a more informed decision. We've done thousands upon thousands of consultations and have been able to help most of our clients. Chances are we can help you, too.