Question 1

Who do you typically work with?

Accepted Answer

I generally work with people like me and my family. People in the Rochester NY area that are planning for retirement and financial independence or are in retirement and looking to make every dollar work for them. My clients are regular people.

Question 2

What does it mean that you are a fiduciary?

Accepted Answer

I am an advisor that puts my clients' interests ahead of my own (as it should be).

In other words, any advice I provide from the choice of investments, to decisions in a financial plan to decisions on insurance or estate planning are all in your best interest.

My recommendations are in your best interest, and not merely suitable for you. 
These responsibilities and duties are both ethical and legal. 
In a fiduciary relationship, no profit is to be made unless explicit consent is granted at the time the relationship begins.

I have signed my planning network’s (XYPN)(https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/) fiduciary oath here.

Question 3

What can I expect from you as my advisor and partner?

Accepted Answer

I believe it is my utmost responsibility as your financial advisor to stay on top of your investments and ensure ever dollar is doing its job.

The goal is to avoid you having to carry uncertainty with you on questions of: are you doing enough for your future? Are you confident you are doing the best you can do?

Beyond regular financial updates (timing based on our mutual agreement), I’ll help you with the decisions that inevitably come up on purchases, health care planning, estate planning wishes etc.

You’ll have my guarantee to respond to you in 12 hours or less, most often on the same day.

Question 4

How does the process work to get started?

Accepted Answer

I guide us through 3-4 get-to-know each other conversations and meetings (in person or virtual) that help us decide if it make sense for us to work together on this important journey. In our conversations we’ll cover these steps:

Step 1) Answer any immediate or time sensitive questions you may have. Get to know each other. Do you like me? Do I like you? 
Step 2) I learn on a deep level what your experiences with money are and what is truly important to you about money and what it does for you. Who is most important to you and what does this mean for your plans and wishes? 
Step 3) I develop a financial plan for you that takes you through the phases of life. 
Step 4) We modify and optimize the plan over time as market conditions change and as life changes (family, aging etc.) occur. 
Step 5) I help talk you through mid- large size decisions that are directly financial in nature as well as decisions that may not seem to be purely financial on the surface but have a large impact.

Question 5

What is a fee-only financial advisor?

Accepted Answer

What is a fee-only (sometimes called “fee-based”) financial advisor receives compensation directly from you verses being paid commissions from products they sell.

This means they represent you and your interests when giving advice and are not tempted to make frequent and unnecessary trades and transactions to increase their personal income. This fee is often charged as a percentage of the assets they manage, meaning the advisor does well when a client does well financially and makes proportionally less when the client does less well financially.

Question 6

How are you compensated?

Accepted Answer

All of my services are included in an Assets Under Management (AUM). It generally starts at 1% annually in most base case scenarios and goes down from there with increase asset levels.

As a fee-only advisor, I do not take make any money on commission to ensure my interest is aligned with you, as it should be.

The most common people I serve have between $250k and $2million in assets.

Question 7

Where will my money be held if I work with you?

Accepted Answer

I have partnered with long time financial industry institution SEI, a publicly traded entity (SEIC). Your money will be held at SEI and you will have the ability to see your account both online and through a mobile app.

Question 8

How does it start?

Accepted Answer

Call or text me for a casual conversation.

We can talk specifically about your situation and challenges or in general terms. An initial conversation is usually about 30-45 minutes.

FAQs