FAQs

What education and training do you have that qualify you to manage my investments?

I  started with Bachelor of Science degree in Technology and Teaching. This degree is perfect for someone in my field as technology is very involved in today’s world of financial planning and the teaching side is involved in communicating difficult and confusing information clearly and concisely. I also have earned the Graduate level certification and license of CFP (Certified Financial Planner) in which I passed five written exams on taxation, estate planning, employee benefits, investments, and risk management. This certification also requires ongoing education on the newest and up to date information – all to the benefit of my clients. In addition, I have completed life planning counseling and training with two modern day masters, Mr. George Kinder and Mr. Bill Bachrach. Last, but not least, I have completed professional training in post secondary (college) education advisory services to clients. This commitment to continuing education, training and certifications is further evidence of my dedication to my clients’ well being.

Why should I choose your firm over any other?

We focus on Values-Based Financial Planning. It is Life Planning blended with Financial Planning for a more well-rounded approach to integrating your finances with client values.

Other distinguishing characteristics include:

• Tax efficient investing. We focus on investments that will lower your taxes. Many clients will see a five digit drop in their taxes.
•  We prefer to invest with Exchange-Traded Funds far more than with mutual funds. These funds have far lower fees and trade like stocks producing low tax rates. We pass these substantial savings along to clients in the form of higher reinvested returns than a like asset allocation enjoyed with mutual funds alone.
• Retirement Specialization: We know retirement because we live it. We aspire to “go into the future” to do ourselves what we will later ask clients to do once we are convinced it is a prudent choice. For example, before we ask a client to enter into a private investment, chances are we have done that ourselves and we have a history of its success. We want to walk our talk.
•  Low Cost-Platform for investing that you can’t find elsewhere. Our style, like our experience, is unique.
• Alternative Investments often outperform traditional investments. Instead of flat returns, investors often see returns that are asynchronous to standard equity markets. This kind of investing can ad real value in bear or flat markets. These include private placement into real estate, energy investments and conservative managed futures strategies.
• Lower risk- Because of low expenses, we are often able to increase levels of return and thus invest with a lower risk than with mutual funds or stocks.
• Concierge Style of a family office to fully support a wide range of our client’s financial and non financial family needs.
• Fee-only fiduciary- This means that we are not paid on commission so we will never influence you to purchase investments designed to make us money. Also, as a fiduciary, we only have the client’s interest at heart, not a large institution’s.
• NAPFA Registered Advisor- We adhere to NAPFA’s code of ethics and fiduciary oath. For more information on why NAPFA is so highly regarded, please see the article by Kiplinger’s magazine on page 72 and Investment News (Elliot Spitzer Article)
• Lots of hand-holding for families allows them to reach their goals for reasons that are important to them.

In summary, clients receive the lowest level of risk for their investments at the lowest tax because we adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct, continuing education, and professional practice protocols.

Clients come to us because they desire less risk and more certainty that their financial health will be strong and their retirements and their families - secure.

What services do you offer?

We offer all of the traditional services offered by most financial planning firms (taxes, education planning, investment planning, employee benefit planning, Social Security planning, and insurance planning), while also offering very non-traditional services. These include using alternative investments like precious metals, real estate, oil, and natural gas to name a few. We also offer private placement investment opportunities, like commercial real estate, for those who are interested in choices other than listed investments. We also bring experts in as part of our network to offer clients the best products at the most reasonable price. In addition to these, we also offer a well-diversified list of services to fit a variety of needs. These include: travel arrangements, aviation arrangements (in case you need a private jet), event planning, limo service, etc.

What are your rates?

We charge a one flat rate for creating a written comprehensive financial plan and an additional retainer flat rate for ongoing financial and wealth management services. Please see our ADV II for current details and disclosures.

Why is a financial plan so beneficial to me?

I liken a financial plan to health.   If, after ten years, you had eaten whatever you wanted and never exercised, what would your health be like? On the other hand, what would your life be like if you trained like a Pro athlete? It is the same with your finances. A financial plan makes you feel like a professional athlete. You know what your values and specific goals are and where you are along life’s road. You feel confident and poised. You know that you are better off and have taken necessary actions to be fully prepared for whatever life may bring.

How much experience do you have in this field?

I have been a practicing fee-only financial planning fiduciary since 1995.

Why do you work out of your home?

I believe clients hire me, not an office. They seek my guidance, advice, experience and time tested wisdom. The only difference is that I have only one, not two places to manage like some other financial advisors. I enjoy the comfort, convenience, and flexibility of my home office. It allows me to keep meetings that a traditional office may not allow. I don’t’ have to spend the time maintaining both a home and a distant office. I don’t have to pollute the air by commuting daily. This means I have more time to spend with clients and working on their behalf. If I save just 5 hours weekly, that adds up to 250 hours, or 31 days a year more time. I also save clients the expense of having my office costs passed on to them. Finally, today/s technology allows me to perform any function I need to and would do in any office around the world faster and better. My clients all benefit from this.