FAQs

FAQs: most frequent questions and answers.

A cordial conversation! Expect the initial call to last 15-30 minutes. We’ll discuss how close to retirement you are, and ask some questions regarding your assets/savings and income, and what your main concerns and goals are. We can then determine if you would be a good candidate for our Initial Process or whether there are some other resources we can suggest for you.

Only if your preference is to meet with us in person. We love to meet with people in person, but we also have technology and systems in place to make remote meetings fun and effective. In fact, we have clients who live from Florida to California and many places in between, so we have lots of practice handling remote meetings. 

Yes, we are. As a Registered Investment Advisory firm (RIA), we are required to uphold our fiduciary oath, which says we will always put our clients interests first, and ahead of our own. Many people are surprised to learn that much of the financial advising industry does not have a Fiduciary Standard, which can lead to conflicts of interest between the advisor and client. 

Our clients’ accounts are opened at TD Ameritrade, which is our custodian. They receive statements, tax forms and online access through TD Ameritrade. As your advisor, we oversee your accounts and communicate on a regular basis with TD Ameritrade.

Once you go through our Initial Process and we all decide it makes sense to start working together, we will schedule an additional meeting to refine your One-Page Game Plan and map out the next steps, which may include opening and transferring investment accounts. Once the onboarding process is complete, we will have two dedicated meeting periods each year, one in the Spring and the other in the Fall. These are designed to review your progress and address concerns.  Additionally in the Spring, we will review your Flight Path (retirement income projections). In the Fall, we will go over tax projections and strategies to implement prior to the end of the year.

We work in an ensemble practice, meaning that our entire team is involved with each of our clients. You will have a lead advisor, typically Kevin or Andy, who you will communicate and meet with on a regular basis.  Other members of our team, including Myriah, will also be involved in your planning, and they may reach out to you while coordinating specific plans or issues. We believe this ensemble approach works most effectively, as it allows each advisor to focus on what they are do best, thus allowing the client to receive optimal advice and service.

Our fee structure is transparent and designed so that when you do better, we do better. The fee is debited from the accounts we oversee, and the rate applied to your accounts declines for balances over $1 million.  This fee includes not only your investment management, but also all of the other financial planning advice we provide throughout the year. We are not compensated in any other way. 

Account Value

Annual Fee %

First $1,000,000

1.25

1m – 2m

1.00

2m – 5m

0.75

5m +

0.50 or below

First, we take a detailed look at your situation and needs, and then we determine the appropriate mix of growth assets (stocks) and safety assets (bonds). We embrace the Nobel Prize winning research on markets that suggests a well-diversified and low-cost portfolio, implemented prudently and consistently, can greatly improve your investment experience. We have access to the vast universe of investment options, but our portfolios are typically constructed with funds from Dimensional, Vanguard, Fidelity and iShares.

Our typical client is 55 or older with $1 million or more in investible assets. In addition, you are likely a good fit if you are looking for the following:

  • I want peace of mind that I can live comfortably and not worry about running out of money.
  • I want an investment strategy that specifically addresses the needs and risks retirees face.
  • I prefer to delegate and collaborate with an expert so I can concentrate on enjoying retirement.