Frequently Asked Questions

The most transparent model we know is to charge a flat fee per month (with a one-time planning fee) to help you with your financial life.

Most advisors charge Assets Under Management (AUM) which we believe have multiple layers of complexity and added confusion.

For example, if you have $750,000 in AUM, an advisor who charges “just 1%” is actually charging $7,500/year.

We believe including the fees in DOLLAR amount, right on our website is the most transparent way to charge for our services.

Because your investments will likely grow over time.

1% of $1 million = $10,000.

1% of $2 million = $20,000.

Are you magically getting $10,000 more worth of advice?

We don’t think so.

Managing investments is more about managing your own human behavior and emotions.

Complicated investment options are over complicated and over priced. They are often times, complicated to hide the higher price, making you feel like you are paying for a better product.

This is almost never the case.

We look for low-cost, diversified investments that line up with your specific values and needs for the future.

If you are looking for a fast way to become a millionaire, we are not the firm for you.

We teach our clients the pillars of investing, with the hope that everyone walks away feeling more confident about investing, and will become multi-millionaires over time by following this mindset.

Without the need to handle your investments to get paid, we let our clients retain control of ALL your investments.

Our goal is to teach/train you on how to hold a diversified, passive/buy & hold investment strategy with certain ETF and low-cost index funds (it’s ok if you don’t quite understand all these terms - this is what we will review/teach when we meet).

A fiduciary is someone who acts in your best interest. A fiduciary in the investment world is supposed to act in a client’s best interest with every money decision.

Do most fiduciaries truly do this?

We cannot speak for anyone else, but a big reason we got into financial planning here at CEF was to offer a line of support to folks who have been mistreated in past financial advisor relationships.

We start with transparent pricing - we continue the relationship with your best interest at heart.

If we will decide you aren’t a good fit PRIOR to any fees being paid, we will direct you to a better fit within the industry. We say transparency, we mean it.

Between student loan repayment and retirement planning, our clients can span a wide range.

The client base we cater to (if we were to choose) values transparency and is willing to learn.

Education is key to winning with your money.

We focus on enjoying life TODAY, while preparing for your future.

If it has a number on it, we likely can help.

Main topics we cover:

• Debt management/ reduction. What loan should you pay off first? What is good debt vs bad debt? We cover it all.

• Investment selection (i.e. 401k, brokerage accounts, IRA, 529, etc.)

• Help shop low-cost auto/home/life/etc. insurance (if applicable).

• Tax planning - we help you pay the lowest amount possible to the government (legally). This is one of the biggest areas we can make small tweaks to help increase cash flow (see below).

• Optimize cash flow (help find lower-cost options to increase your income, but not impact your current lifestyle).

• Retirement planning - are you on track to live life to the fullest in retirement, while enjoying life currently?

• Social security and medicare optimization

• Rental property and business valuation.

• Estate planning - helping the right individuals get the right assets, at the right time. Whether this is planning for an inheritance from your parents or planning to give away your assets after you pass - we help with it all.

I am a Series 65 license holder. I have a Master’s Degree in Personal Financial Planning, and am a part of several industry memberships including:

• XY Planning Network - The leading organization of fee-only financial advisors who specialize in working with Gen X & Y clients (although we also enjoy working with Gen Z when given the opportunity).

• Advice Only Network - Group of only ~40 Financial Planners (in the nation) who do NOT control investments. We focus on education and comprehensive planning. These advisors charge a flat fee, reducing conflicts of interest most advisors may have with other fee models.

• NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors) - A professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.

• Measure Twice Planners - An organization that highlights how to perform financial planning with the use of financial education and teaching.

We recognize we may not be a fit or everyone.

In this instance, we would be happy to provide a list of other financial planners who we believe do financial planning “the right way”.