All the FAQs you could ever ask for

Unfortunately, I cannot work with anyone outside of the USA. 

Technically, there is no minimum. But, with the minimum monthly fee of $250, you'll want to be sure you make enough to pay the fee and work towards your financial goals. This is, of course, dependent on many variables. Once incomes go below $75,000, I have found that my service becomes much less valuable as there is usually less that can be done to make progress. 

This is not required, but it is strongly recommended to get the most out of my software. My planning software uses the highest standard of encryption and does not expose your information. 

Nope! The planning fee is all you pay, and you get access to all the technology I provide without any additional costs. 

I value the relationships I build with clients and strive to have my clients stay with me long-term.  

A financial plan is a comprehensive strategy for managing your finances, which includes your income, expenses, savings, investments, and debt. A financial plan can help you achieve your financial goals by outlining a roadmap for achieving financial stability, security, and independence.

A financial plan typically involves:

1. Assessing your current financial situation: This includes analyzing your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.

2. Setting financial goals: This involves identifying what you want to achieve with your money, such as buying a house, saving for retirement, or paying off debt.

3. Developing a budget: This involves creating a plan for how you will spend your money, including allocating funds for bills, savings, investments, and discretionary spending.

4. Creating an investment plan: This involves identifying investment opportunities that align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

5. Managing debt: This involves creating a plan for paying off any outstanding debt and avoiding taking on new debt.

6. Planning for emergencies: This involves setting aside funds for unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or home repairs.

7. Reviewing and adjusting your plan regularly: This involves monitoring your progress toward your financial goals and making adjustments as needed to ensure you stay on track.

Yes. You will be delivered a completely customized financial plan at the end of the initial phase of your planning experience with me. You will also have access to your online planning portal that houses the data that I use to create your plan. 

Financial planning and financial coaching are both aimed at improving one's financial situation, but they differ in their approach and focus.

Financial planning typically involves a professional creating a comprehensive financial plan for an individual or a family. The plan takes into account various factors such as income, expenses, savings, investments, taxes, and retirement planning. The financial planner analyzes the client's financial situation and provides recommendations for how they can achieve their financial goals. The financial planner may also help the client implement the plan and make adjustments over time.

On the other hand, financial coaching focuses more on guiding and supporting individuals in making financial decisions and achieving their financial goals. A financial coach typically helps clients understand their financial behavior and beliefs and provides guidance on how to overcome financial obstacles. The focus of financial coaching is often on building financial literacy, improving budgeting skills, and changing financial habits. The coach may also provide support and accountability to help the client stick to their financial plan.

In summary, financial planning is more focused on creating a detailed financial plan for a client, while financial coaching is more focused on helping clients develop the skills, knowledge, and mindset to make better financial decisions and achieve their financial goals.

I blend the two services. I create a financial plan for you and coach you as needed to stick to it. 

I am CFP® and a level II CFA candidate. 

About CFP®

A CFP, or a Certified Financial Planner, is a professional who has obtained a certification from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board). To become a CFP, a candidate must meet certain education, experience, and ethical requirements, as well as pass the CFP Certification Examination.

CFPs are trained to provide comprehensive financial planning services to individuals, families, and businesses. They are knowledgeable in various aspects of financial planning, including retirement planning, investment planning, tax planning, estate planning, insurance planning, and risk management. CFPs work with clients to assess their financial situation, identify their financial goals and objectives, and create a personalized financial plan to help them achieve their goals.

CFPs are held to high ethical standards and are required to follow the CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, which include principles such as acting in the best interests of the client, providing full disclosure of conflicts of interest, and maintaining client confidentiality. By working with a CFP, clients can be assured that they are receiving expert financial advice from a trusted and qualified professional.

About CFA

A CFA, or a Chartered Financial Analyst, is a professional designation offered by the CFA Institute. The CFA program is a globally recognized certification program that focuses on investment management, financial analysis, and portfolio management.

To become a CFA, a candidate must pass a series of three exams that cover a wide range of topics, including ethics, financial reporting and analysis, economics, quantitative methods, corporate finance, equity investments, fixed income, derivatives, alternative investments, and portfolio management. In addition, a CFA candidate must have at least four years of qualified work experience in investment decision-making.

CFAs are well-trained in financial analysis and are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to analyze complex financial data, evaluate investment opportunities, and manage portfolios. They are held to high ethical standards and are required to abide by the CFA Institute's Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

CFAs work in a variety of roles in the investment industry, including portfolio managers, research analysts, risk managers, financial advisors, and consultants. By earning the CFA designation, professionals demonstrate their commitment to excellence and their dedication to a career in investment management.

I have ADHD and have also experienced money struggles in the past. So, first and foremost, I offer a safe space to be completely open about your history with money. 

I also am very well-read on ADHD, having devoured countless books and articles. I developed my financial plans with ADHD specifically in mind. 

I have numerous ADHD-specific strategies to help my clients make progress.

There is no investment minimum. Clients can pay a planning fee. If you wish to only pay me through investments, you'll need at least $250,000 to reach my minimum fee. 

I custody my clients' portfolios with Altruist.

Yes! I work with individuals, couples, and families. 

No. You can either be self-diagnosed or merely relate to the struggles that ADHDers face when it comes to finances. Further, if you just appreciate this approach to planning, you are more than welcome to schedule a discovery call. I think this approach will work great for neurotypical clients as well!

In the beginning phases, we may meet every couple of weeks for a period of time. Ultimately, you will be entitled to monthly accountability check-in meetings. Longer and more in-depth review meetings will be reserved for quarterly plan review meetings. 

I do not. Due to regulations, I am unable to collect or advertise reviews or references. While this makes it harder to build trust, I encourage you to review the success stories page of the website. While hypothetical, it can give you a good insight into how I can help. 

Yes! There will be a client portal, budgeting software, cash flow software, financial planning software, and estate planning software. These are the software you will have your own account for. There are advisor-led tools as well, including tax planning, financial psychology, and various other planning tools. 

Your fee is based on the complexity of your financial life and gross income. Complexity is determined using a quantitative method and a qualitative method. The factors that determine complexity include income level, income type(s), family size, and whether or not you are a business owner or an employee. 

Yes! At any given point in time, you can choose to end your engagement with me. Any planning fees already paid are typically not refundable. Any future fees will not be due. 

Fees are generally not reduced, and modest and occasional future fee increases should be expected. 

Yes, you can pause payments without being terminated as a client. However, as long as your payments are paused, your plan will not be formally updated, and time-intensive work will not be done on your behalf until you resume payments. Back payments will not be owed. 

You can pay fees on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. 

Yes, there is an initial planning fee that starts at $2,400. I have structured my fees so that you can pay the initial planning fee in three installments in the first three months of service and then begin your regular monthly planning fees starting in month four.

For example, if your initial planning fee is $2,400 and your regular, ongoing fee is $350 per month, then your first six months of payments would be like this:

Month 1: $600 (1st initial fee installment)

Month 2: $600 (2nd initial fee installment)

Month 3: $600 (3rd initial fee installment)

Month 4: $350 (1st ongoing planning payment

Month 5: $350 (2nd ongoing planning payment)

Month 6 and every month thereafter: $350 (ongoing planning payment)

You can work with us either year by year or you can opt for ongoing, automatically renewing payments. Those who are undecided if they want a financial planner long-term can opt for a year-by-year engagement.