What does "fee-only" actually mean?
It means our advisory fee is the only way we are paid. No commissions, no product sales, no referral fees, no revenue sharing. When we recommend an investment, there is no version of the answer where we profit from steering you. That is also what being a fiduciary requires: your interest first, at all times.
Where is my money held? Can you take it?
Your accounts are held in your name at Charles Schwab, one of the largest custodians in the country. We have authority to manage investments and deduct our disclosed fee, nothing more. You can see every position and every transaction at Schwab directly, any time.
Can you help with my 401(k)?
Yes. We advise on fund selection, contribution strategy, and features your plan may offer, like after-tax contributions and in-plan Roth conversion. And if your plan includes a self-directed brokerage window (such as Schwab PCRA), we can manage it directly under our standard advisory fee, just like your other managed accounts.
What does the free plan include? What's the catch?
The intro call, the statement diagnosis, and the plan conversation are genuinely free. The "catch" is honest and simple: we believe that once you see the quality of the work, many people choose to have us implement and manage it. If you take the plan and run with it yourself, that is a fine outcome too.
Am I locked into a contract?
No. There are no long-term contracts and no termination fees. Billing is quarterly and fully transparent. If we are not earning the relationship, you can leave at any time, and your accounts stay right where they are at Schwab.
Who actually places the trades?
We do. You never have to log in, pick funds, or figure out order types. Every trade in your managed accounts is placed by your adviser, with tax impact considered before anything is sold.
