FAQs

What does a financial advisor actually do?

I act as a financial and behavioral coach.  I start by getting to know you and your unique goals, dreams and fears.  Then I take all of that information to see how we can organize your financial junk drawer to make the plan as efficient and achievable as possible.  I present a full financial plan, introduce you to our team and tech platforms.  Once we’re working together I continually monitor and rebalance the portfolio specifically for your needs, wants and risk tolerance.  Being a good financial planner means really understanding what a client wants, putting a plan together to accomplish it and creating our lifetime relationship.

What is your process?

Each portfolio is built to reflect the individual needs of you, the client.  We have a firm eye on today, but always an eye on the future in an effort to stay ahead of trends in the market.  There is also a high attention to tax management to ensure that what you make in your account is actually what you keep and not in the hands of the IRS.

Are you required to act in my best interest?

Many clients ask about the “fiduciary” standard. Yes, I’m acting as a fiduciary, which means I’m legally obligated to put your interests first. But even more than the legal obligation it’s the cornerstone of my business to always put your best interest first.

Who do you usually work with?

My client base is comprised of families, retirees, business owners, people going through big life changes and young people just starting out. I work with you to build the best plan to help you achieve your financial goals.

How do you decide what’s right for me?

Everything starts with getting a clear, complete picture of your finances—both the big picture and the smaller details that often get overlooked. From there, we build a financial plan that covers all the essentials: managing risk, investing wisely, planning for taxes, understanding your financial behaviors, and most importantly, creating a plan that’s driven by your personal goals.  Because at the end of the day, there’s no such thing as a one‑size‑fits‑all financial plan.

How do you get paid?

I use a traditional “Assets Under Management” (AUM) model which is billed directly from your investment account. You will never need to write a check to Birds Eye.  The cost is calculated on a scale based on AUM.

What happens if the market drops?

Market ups and downs are normal. My job is to build safety measures into your portfolio based on your specific needs and time horizons. And I’m always here for questions or concerns as we navigate the fluctuations.

How often will we talk?

I’ll check in regularly — usually a few times a year. I’m available by phone, email or Zoom.  I also do an in person annual review with you to make sure no life changes have come up that will alter your plan.  And you can always reach out when something comes up; I’m always a phone call or email away!

Is this a good time to jump in the market?

Here is my answer…no idea.  Not because I don’t know what I’m doing, not because I haven’t done my research, it’s simply because markets are completely unpredictable at times.  But here’s what I do know: Time IN the market tends to work better than timING the market.