Frequently asked questions
We offer a variety of services related to financial/retirement planning, 401k rollovers, and investment management. We begin client relationships by first helping you visualize what your future life will look like. We then discuss what your hopes and dreams are for you and your family’s future. Once we understand where you are, where you want to go, and what obstacles exist along the way, we can develop cash-flow models that lead to appropriate investment management decisions and services. We make a plan and then manage your portfolio to that plan. Visualize It. Plan It. Execute It.
What types of clients do you work with?
We employ a small group of advisors who each have different backgrounds and experiences that enable us to cater to a variety of clients. Most of our clients are executives and self-employed individuals who live and work on the west coast (CA, OR, WA, AZ, and NV), but when you reach out to us, we’ll make sure to assign you to the appropriate advisor. If for some reason you’re not the right fit for our firm, we’d be happy to help point you to another firm that you may be better suited to.
Can I choose to work with you remotely or do I have to come to an office?
Our firm is headquartered in Redlands, CA, but we work with clients throughout the country. As a result, we are a 100% virtual business and handle all of our client communication via phone, email, and video conferencing. We occasionally meet with clients in person if we happen to be in their area while traveling, but this is usually only just a friendly meeting to say, “Hi!”.
Do you have a customer satisfaction or refund policy?
Although our services require an Investment Advisory Agreement (by law), we do not charge fees in advance. There is no long term commitment required, you are able to cancel our agreement at any time with no penalty, and we only ask for fees in arrears for services already performed.
What that all means is that (1) we never have a need for a refund policy and (2) our customer satisfaction policy sort of goes hand in hand with that, “If you’re not satisfied and we can’t fix the issue, you won’t have to worry about trying to wrangle a refund from us.”
What is your approach to financial planning?
We believe that saving and investing should be PURPOSEFUL and done with specific objectives and time frames in mind. We believe that all financial planning should be cash flow based. Our planning methodology is unique in that it is centered around whether you will have the cash flows to meet your retirement needs.
Do you provide a free initial consultation?
Yes. We’ll even go one step further and build an entire financial plan on our best-in-industry online planning portal with you. This plan won’t cost you a penny and will be yours to keep. We promise to remain committed to you for whatever time and energy is required to develop this plan. All that we ask of you is that you stay honest and engaged with us through the process. THEN we’ll talk about our role in your ongoing plan. How’s that for demonstrating our level of commitment to you? If you want to get started immediately, follow this link. There you can learn a little bit about what happens after you make an initial appointment with us and you’ll be able to take a look at our calendar to schedule a free, no obligation strategy session with us.
How do you charge for your services?
Usually, we charge a fee for the assets that we manage directly. We also have developed arrangements where we charge an ongoing fee to advise on assets rather than manage investments directly. Think of it as an “on call” or retainer type arrangement. We’ll build in periodic meetings, keep your plan updated with you and be at the ready should any “one-off” questions come up…. all-inclusive… like a Cruise Ship or Sandals or something.
How many years of experience do you have?
Our founder, Jeff Snell, has been in the business for more than 30 years. His experience, combined with that of the other advisors of our firm, mean we bring decades of experience to the table to help you manage your finances.
Why should I choose you as my financial advisor?
No nonsense. No pressure. No commissions. No sales-speak. No BS. We’re unpretentious, authentic, and not judgmental.
We spend money on best-in-industry technology for you to use with us. Our account and performance reports, values and metrics are transparent and always available 24-7-365.
We don’t attach dollar signs to people. We believe in karma and that we will personally prosper just by doing good.
We have a number of clients who have graciously offered their time to speak about their experience with us with prospective new clients. If you’d like to talk to them, just ask!
What financial institution(s) do you represent?
None. We don’t “represent” any financial institutions. We “represent” YOU! We are an independent advisor. We can use a broker of your choosing or you can go with one that we prefer to work with, depending upon what type of investments we decide to pursue with you. We are more than willing to advise on assets that you have elsewhere and don’t want to or can’t transfer over to our direct management. This happens a lot with 401(k) plans et al. and we have a very strong program to help make sure these investments are aligned with your overall picture.
As a client, who will I work with?
Generally, you will work directly with only one of our advisors, but one of the advantages of working with us is that there is a team of people behind that advisor that help manage your account to the best of our ability.
As we like to say to new clients, “You will define the sandbox.” Within this “sandbox”, we will make specific investment decisions (what to buy or sell and when) on our own. So, you decide the HOW, we decide the WHAT and WHEN.
How many clients do you currently manage?
About 88.
Do you offer any guaranteed results?
We wish we could, but not only is it impossible, it’s also illegal! If someone offers any type of guarantee, please be wary, OK?
How much risk should I be willing to take?
Only as much risk as you need to take to reach your goals… as long as you’re comfortable with that. If not, we will work together to help you re-align your goals to a risk level that allows you to sleep at night AND reach your life objectives.
Has the firm ever been charged with any breaches?
No. Never. Not even close.
Yes! We think it’s important to get them away from your high cost, limited option company plans as soon as possible after you quit, retire or get fired (sorry).
How long does the process of rolling over a 401K plan usually take?
About a month. If things get hung up, it’s usually because the company that you used to work for lost the paperwork or sat on it for no reason.
What do you charge for processing a 401k rollover?
For a 401k plan rollover: Nothing. Ultimately, we’d like to manage the rollover according to your financial plan and we charge a small fee for that.
What if I have other questions?
Reach out to us by phone or using the contact form on our website. We’re really a friendly bunch and would be happy to answer any additional questions you have!
Q. Do you have a customer satisfaction or refund policy?
A. Although our services require an Investment Advisory Agreement (by law), we do not charge fees in advance. There is no long term commitment required, you are able to cancel our agreement at any time with no penalty, and we only ask for fees in arrears for services already performed.
What that all means is that (1) we never have a need for a refund policy and (2) our customer satisfaction policy sort of goes hand in hand with that, “If you’re not satisfied and we can’t fix the issue, you won’t have to worry about trying to wrangle a refund from us.”
Q. What are your qualifications? What is your education background?
A. I have been in the industry since 1987, starting out as a stock broker. I have my bachelor’s in finance degree from The Ohio State University and have worked with people, money and the markets for over 30 years now.
I’ve been to college and graduated with a degree. I scored the highest score of anyone in my company on the Series 7 back in the day. I took all of the company investment management and sales classes and passed top of class.
My most valued education came at the School of Hard Knocks. I’ve swung and missed so often in the past that I now know how to wait for the right pitch… and I know what it looks like well before it comes to the plate. I’ve also learned enough about literature and writing to not mix my metaphors.
Q. What is your approach to financial planning?
A. I believe that saving and investing should be PURPOSEFUL and done with specific objectives and time frames in mind. I believe that all financial planning should be cash flow based. Our planning methodology is unique in that it is centered around whether you will have the cash flows to meet your retirement needs.
Q. What services do you offer?
A. We will help you to visualize what your future life will look like. We will discuss what your hopes and dreams are for you and your family’s future. This gives us the basis to provide cash flow models leading to appropriate investment management decisions and services. We make a plan and then manage your portfolio to that plan. Visualize It. Plan It. Execute It.
Q. How many clients do you currently manage?
A. About 88.
Q. Will you be the only person working with me?
A. I will be your only advisor and my assistant will help us with paperwork type matters when necessary.
Q. How are you compensated? How will I pay for your services?
A. We will develop a complete financial plan for you at no charge that is yours to keep. We promise to remain committed to you for whatever time and energy is required to develop this plan. All we ask of you is that you stay honest and engaged with us and the process. That is how important a realistic plan for you is to us: We are willing to make sure you have a concrete action plan before ever discussing getting paid for the execution of that plan and / or our role in that.
Q. If you are going to manage my account, will you obtain my permission every time you buy or sell something?
A. As I like to say to new clients, “You will define the sandbox.” Within this “sandbox”, we will make specific investment decisions (what to buy or sell and when) on our own. So, you decide the HOW, we decide the WHAT and WHEN.
Q. Do you offer any guaranteed results?
A. You know, I would if I could, but it’s illegal. If someone offers any type of guarantee, please be wary, OK?
Q. How much risk should I be willing to take?
A. Only as much risk as you need to take to reach your goals… as long as you’re comfortable with that. If not, we will work together to help you re-align your goals to a risk level that allows you to sleep at night AND reach your life objectives.
Q. Have you ever been charged with any breaches?
A. No. Never. Not even close.
Q. What services do you provide? What are your specialties?
A. What I wrote about the firm is also true for me since we’re one and the same.
Q. What financial institution(s) do you represent?
A. I don’t “represent” any financial institutions. I “represent” you. We are an independent advisor. We can use a broker of your choosing or you can go with one that we prefer to work with, depending upon what type of investments we decide to pursue with you. I am more than willing to advise on assets that you have elsewhere and don’t want to or can’t transfer over to my direct management. This happens a lot with 401(k) plans et al and we have a very strong program to help make sure these investments are aligned with your overall picture.
Q. How do you charge for your services?
A. Usually, we charge a fee for the assets that we manage directly. We also have developed arrangements where we charge an ongoing fee to advise on assets rather than manage investments directly. Think of it as an “on call” or retainer type arrangement. We’ll build in periodic meetings, keep your plan updated with you and be at the ready should any “one-off” questions come up…. all-inclusive… like a Cruise Ship or Sandals or something.
Q. Do you provide a free initial consultation?
A. Yes. I’ll even go one step (or more) further and build an entire financial plan on our best-in-industry online planning portal with you. THEN we’ll talk about our role in your ongoing plan. How’s that for demonstrating our level of commitment to you? If you want to get started immediately, follow this link. You can go through a simple, initial exercise and then fill out the “Request a Consultation” part. We’ll get back to you with a link to open up our whole planning world to you and you’re on your way. We’re so excited.
Q. Why should I choose you as my financial advisor?
A. No nonsense. No pressure. No commissions. No sales-speak. No BS. I’m unpretentious, authentic, and not judgmental.
I spend money on best-in-industry technology for you to use with us. Our account and performance reports, values and metrics are transparent and always available 24-7-365.
I do not attach dollar signs to people. I believe in karma and that I personally will do well by doing good.
You can talk one-on-one to any number of our existing clients at anytime you wish, just ask.
401K Plan Rollovers:
Q. What are your qualifications?
A. I handle many qualified (retirement) accounts. I have the world’s greatest and most efficient assistant. I know what I’m doing and my assistant is a paperwork ninja.
Q. What is your approach to 401 K plan rollovers?
A. Get them away from your high cost, limited option company plans as soon as possible after you quit, retire or get fired (sorry).
Q. How long does the process of rolling over a 401K plan usually take?
A. About a month. If things get hung up, it’s usually because the company that you used to work for lost the paperwork or sat on it for no reason.
Q. What financial institutions do you represent?
A. I don’t represent any financial institution. I represent my clients to a number of financial institutions.
Q. How many years of experience do you have?
A. 30+
Q. What are your fees for this service?
A. For a 401k plan rollover: None. Ultimately, we’d like to manage the rollover according to your financial plan and we charge a small fee for that.
Q. How many 401K rollover clients do you currently manage?
A. Trick question, because 401k rollovers become IRA rollovers once rolled over. I manage about 50 or 60 IRA rollovers though. I don’t know whether they all came from 401k plans or not. You get the idea.
Q. Why should I roll over my 401K plan to your firm?
A. Well, we’ll roll it over to a company like TD Ameritrade or Schwab or similar. From there, we’ll talk about having us manage it if you wish. It’s your puppet, we’ll just pull the strings.
Q. Do you provide a free initial consultation?
A. Yes. Yes. Yes. All the way to a completed financial plan. Then, we’ll talk about fee. GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY HERE. Make sure to get your information to us by Requesting an Initial Consultation.