How We Work Together
Stop waiting for
someday.
Not sure where to start? Every ongoing client started with a single conversation — and most started with a specific question they couldn't Google their way out of.
Something keeping you up at night?
Have a specific question first?
Maybe you're weighing a job offer, wondering if you can afford to buy a home, or just want expert eyes before you make a move. You don't need a full plan for that.
Spot Consultation
Bring your question. Bring your numbers. I'll bring expert analysis and a clear recommendation. You'll leave with a written summary and a next step you can actually act on.
Many clients go on to a full plan after this — but there's no pressure and no obligation.
Book a Spot ConsultationGood for
- Getting started with investing
- Consumer debt repayment strategy
- Home buying decision
- Evaluating a job offer
- Understanding your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 options
- A financial gut-check before a big move
After booking, you'll receive a pre-meeting checklist and payment invoice. Come prepared with your top 3 questions and relevant documents.
Start Here
Common questions
Before you reach out.
When should I hire a financial planner?
When you have a question you can't Google your way out of.
Maybe you're facing a major decision and want to see the actual numbers before you commit — can I afford to downshift? Should I leave my CalPERS job? Maybe you've been saving responsibly but have no real strategy, and you want confirmation you're on track, not just hoping you are. Or maybe your financial life has gotten complex enough — rental property, side income, pension decisions — that you want expert guidance.
You don't need to wait until you're stressed. And you definitely don't need to be a millionaire. But you should be ready to invest in planning — both financially and in terms of implementing recommendations.
Do I need a certain net worth to work with you?
No specific net worth required. My clients range from educators navigating student loans to folks with seven-figure portfolios. What they have in common isn't their account balance — it's complexity. Multiple income streams, CalPERS or CalSTRS benefits, major life transitions, or unconventional life structures that don't fit traditional advice.
If you're just getting started with basic budgeting or opening your first investment account, the 90-minute spot consultation is probably the better fit. We can always expand to comprehensive planning as your needs grow.
What's included in the comprehensive financial plan?
A complete financial analysis covering your cash flow, debt, investments, insurance, taxes, employer benefits, retirement readiness, and estate planning. You'll get an interactive dashboard where you can see your financial life all in one place, plus a one-page action plan outlining your next steps.
If you have CalPERS or CalSTRS benefits, I'll help you understand how they fit into your bigger picture. If you're navigating financial decisions that don't fit traditional molds, you'll work with someone who treats that as normal.
What does ongoing planning include?
$350/month for the first 9 months after completing your plan, then $450/month from year two onward. This gets you unlimited access between our regular check-ins, annual in-depth reviews, implementation support (connecting you to attorneys, tax preparers, insurance professionals), and proactive planning as your life changes.
This is for people who want answers to questions like: "Should I take this job?" "Can I afford a sabbatical?" "When should I refinance?" "I just got a bonus, what should I do with it?" — without having to figure it out alone. Portfolio guidance and investment management are included for portfolios up to $540,000.
Do you manage investments?
Yes. For ongoing planning clients, investment management is included in your monthly fee for portfolios up to $540k. For portfolios above $540k: 1.00% annually on assets above that threshold, with fee reductions at higher levels — 0.75% for portfolios over $1M, 0.50% over $3M, and 0.35% over $5M.
For comprehensive plan clients, you can implement investment strategies yourself using our recommendations, or we can discuss adding investment management as a standalone service.
I focus on what we can control: costs, diversification, risk, and behavior — not beating the market through stock picking.
What if I start with the plan and later want ongoing support?
Is financial planning worth the cost?
Think of financial planning like therapy, coaching, or healthcare — it's an investment in your quality of life.
The cost of not planning is often much higher: missed opportunities (like delaying retirement contributions while markets grow), analysis paralysis that keeps you stuck researching instead of acting, costly financial mistakes, and the ongoing stress of uncertainty. A financial planner helps you avoid these hidden costs while building a clearer path toward your goals.