Frequently Asked Questions

What is your investment philosophy?

Passive, low cost and tax-efficient. According to S&P Dow Jones Indices, 85% of active managers failed to outperform the S&P 500 index. We do not want you to pay higher fees and higher taxes to try to be that 15% that outperforms the market. We strive to track the index and make sure that your investment strategy is customized to your goals.

We help you select the best investment funds in your employer sponsored plans and offer investment management for non-employer accounts (taxable accounts, IRA's, Roth IRAs, etc.)

Where are my accounts held? How do I keep track of everything?

We custody at Altruist for the investment accounts we manage for clients. Altruist is insured by the SIPC for up to $500,000 per account type and are protected against losses resulting from the failure of the broker-dealer. Please note, unlike FDIC insurance for banks, SIPC does not protect against losses due to normal swings in the market. An explanatory brochure is available at http://www.sipc.org.

You will have your own customized client portal to show your entire financial life in one place. You can see all of your accounts, net worth, spending, etc. in one place via your computer or phone.

Do you make referrals to other professionals (estate planning, CPA, etc.)?

A very valuable aspect of working with us is the ability to tap into our professional networks. We know experts, or know how to find experts, in nearly every field related to your personal financial situation. We have spent substantial time getting to know these experts – their ideal client, how they charge, scope of services, etc. so that we can make the referrals that best fit your situation.

We will never accept any type of fee sharing arrangements. We pride ourselves in always eliminating conflicts of interest, so you have the peace of mind that the referrals we make are always in your best interest.

Can I cancel my ongoing planning relationship?

While the "Ongoing Service" model is intended to be a long term relationship (we ask for a minimum of 12 months to fully experience the process), we'd never trap you into something that isn't a good fit for you. Given that, you can cancel the relationship at anytime with a 30 day notice. The fee is paid monthly or quarterly amd billed in advance.

How are fees calculated?

Our minimum fee is stated on the "Fees & Process" page. The fee can scale higher based on whether certain complexity factors in your financial situation exist or not.

Can we still work together if I'm not exactly like one of your typical clients?

You bet! While we have a niche of typical clients, we are not exclusive to serving just that group. If you share common values, agree with our approach to financial planning, and our expertise aligns with your needs, we can talk further. We also pride ourselves on not being for everyone. At the end of the day we aspire to help people, so if we're not the best fit we'll help you find someone who is.

Do I need to have a certain amount of money to work with you?

Nope! Unlike most planners, we don't require a "minimum amount of assets" to work with you. Our pricing is far more inclusive.

"Wealth Builder" Service: Holistic Financial Planning and you cover the process of Ongoing Investment Management on your own.

"Wealth Management" Service: Our most popular choice. Holistic Financial Planning plus Ongoing Investment Management, all under one roof. This service allows us to not only create the plan, but also help implement it for you while ensuring your portfolio is being managed professionally in line with industry best practices, proper diversification, etc.

Do I need to live near San Diego, CA to work with you?

Nope! We operate virtually which allows us to work with clients from all over the country!