| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
What is financial planning?
Done right, financial planning is a process that helps you figure out where you are financially today and
where you want to be in the future, and then helps you determine the best way to get there. The process
involves an initial in-depth diagnosis (review) of a client's current financial situation and then the creation of
a treatment plan (blueprint) on how to achieve future goals and objectives. The process can be specific to
one goal, like Retirement, or comprehensive and include multiple goals like college, major purchase,
estate, insurance etc.). As a fee only Independent Register Investment Advisor, I adhere to the philosophy
that unbiased advise is the best advise. The financial-planning process has several distinct steps.
Click here to check out the Four Simple Steps I use for Retirement Plan Rx.
What is a financial planner or advisor?
Anyone can say that he or she is a financial planner or advisor. That's why it's essential to be sure of the
qualifications and credentials of someone before you pay anything or entrust them with your financial
present or future. As a fee only Independent Register Investment Advisor with 19 years financial services
industry experience, I am well-qualified to help you with your financial advisory needs. An independently
registered investment advisor is an advisor who has taken extensive training, adheres to a rigorous code
of ethics, and is independently registered as an investment advisor with either the state or the SEC. A fee
only advisor should adhere to an established code of ethics. Generally the CFP® code of ethics and/or the
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors Fiduciary Oath. I follow both in my practice.
What's so different about Fee only advisors?
Fee only advisors provide their advisory services on a set fee schedule, retainer or hourly basis. This
means fee only advisors do not accept sales commissions or any compensation other than directly from
their clients. Clients pay only for the services or time an advisor works with or for them.
Let me show you how I help my clients, for less than it costs you for your daily coffee!
Don't I have to have lots of money to need or get a good advisor?
Absolutely Not. I have no income or net worth minimums for my advisory services. If I can’t help you, I’ll tell
you after our Free Initial Consultation.
How can a financial advisor help me?
Anyone, any age looking for financial peace of mind can benefit from working with a good financial advisor
either periodically or on a regular basis. As a fee only Independent Register Investment Advisor I serve
people at all income levels and from all walks of life - whether the need is one quick question answered or
ongoing financial assessment, management, and direction. I have intentionally set my fees to be an
affordable opportunity for beginners, middle-income Americans, and do-it-yourselfers to get quality
financial and investment advice. Higher net worth clients can benefit from an affordable second opinion to
their current advisor(s). As a fee only Independent Licensed Investment Advisor I also provide services to
corporations, retirement plan sponsors and organizations financial education programs for employees or
members. Each individual's situation is unique. Someone just starting out may need a detailed, long-term
plan of action while someone else already on the road to achieving their goals simply may need a new
strategy, professional insight, fine-tuning or second opinion of an existing plan. That's why The 401k Dr
works to custom tailor my services to meet each individual's needs. Goals can be short-, intermediate-, or
long-term. Reducing current income tax liabilities, for example, is a short-term goal, while funding a child's
education an intermediate one, and enjoying a secure financial retirement a more long-term goal. By
focusing on cash flow, investments, taxes, pensions, and retirement plans, estate planning, insurance
issues, savings opportunities, and other general financial matters, The 401k Dr can design a customized
financial plan for you.
What if I want or need to buy investment or insurance products? How do I do that?
As a fee only Independent Licensed Investment Advisor I don't sell products, only my time and expertise. If
requested I can offer specific recommendations and opinions on various products and services that may
be appropriate for a client's situation, and in turn can advise a client where to obtain those products or
services. If appropriate and at the client's request, The 401k Dr can help with plan implementation.
Do Fee only advisors provide just comprehensive financial planning?
No. Comprehensive financial planning has many benefits, however it is not necessary for everyone. As a
fee only Independent Register Investment Advisor I can limit my services to individual, specific needs like
cash management and budgeting, investment analysis or college education funding, whatever is critical to
you right now. Click here to see all the services at The 401k Dr.
My spouse and I need help and guidance getting started building for our financial future, we may have a
lot of questions. Will you accept us as new clients?
Yes. I enjoy helping clients learn and understand throughout our relationship. That’s why I have no
minimum income levels or net worth requirements. After 19 years experience, I realize that everyone has
financial questions. I am proud to work with people from all income levels and all walks of life. Remember,
you don't have to have a fortune to start building one. Click here and start building today!
I already have substantial assets and am doing quite well financially - I think. Can you help me?
Yes. As a fee only Independent Licensed Investment Advisor I offer many services for those people who
need more sophisticated financial planning or advice. Even if your goal(s) is to reduce your financial costs
or simplify your financial affairs, I may be right for you. Ever wonder if your current advisor is on target? Why
not a professional review for a second opinion, I can customize to your needs. At your choice, I can work
closely with your financial professional. I have worked with hundreds of financial professionals in the area
over my 19 years.
I'm in charge of the retirement plans and employee benefits at my company and would like to get more
employees to participate. How can you help us?
There are several key factors in increasing employee participation and appreciation. Conventional wisdom
says Education is the key. I have learned that Education is only part of the solution. Remember, my clients
are employee’s! So that means I have researched and answered their questions and concerns on their
finances and company benefits. It also means I have seen over and over, the gaps in company retirement
plans and benefits. That’s why I provide a full suite of Benefit Consulting Services and can tailor a
program for a company's employees to help them understand the benefits of various programs. To get
more detail click here.
Can you help me with any kind of securities?
Yes. I provide advice on all types of securities, including mutual funds, stocks, stock options, bonds, bank
deposits, variable and fixed annuities, limited partnerships and tax shelters to name a few. I can also
provide advice on mortgages, budgeting and cash flow issues, 401(k), 403(b) and other retirement
programs, life and disability insurance, and more. If it has to do with money and finances, The 401k Dr can
provide guidance and resources.
If I use a The 401k Dr, am I obligated to purchase the recommended products?
Absolutely not! At The 401k Dr, I offer advise and recommendations to meet your needs and objectives. You
are under no obligation to implement your plan or purchase anything. I recognize the importance of
shopping around for the best available product or service. If possible I normally recommend 3 sources
available to you. So if you need to fund an IRA, for example, I will suggest the type of IRA, like Regular vs
Roth, and the amounts that best fit your situation, then direct you to one of several different providers with
quality products at competitive prices. The extent of The 401k Dr’s involvement in helping with your
purchase of a product or investment also is up to you. If you would like, I can help you purchase
investments and/or set up your accounts with a third-party custodian like a discount broker or bank. Since I
am not compensated by commissions on products, you can be assured that my recommendations are
based on what I truly believe is in your best interests. As a fee only Independent Register Investment
Advisor I take my fiduciary role seriously.
Can you show me your Performance Results?
I love the quote from the movie Jerry Maguire, 'show me the money!'. I often get asked, 'show me your
performance results'. It is a very understandable question for anyone to ask when determining where you
want to invest your money and/or with whom. Part of me would like to make it that simple.
Problem is that it is not that simple. I usually explain it something like this:
I work individually with all my clients because everyone's situation is completely unique to them. This
uniqueness makes each client's portfolio performance unique.
For example, client A's portfolio might be invested aggressively (for any variety of reasons) and client B
(same basic age and dollars) may be invested conservatively (again for any number of reasons). I certainly
can't quote the performance of client A to client B (or vice versa) because their portfolio's are not
appropriate for each other.
Risk tolerance is the primary reason. Some people have a high tolerance to risking their hard earned
dollars and others don't. That's okay. I certainly want all my clients to be able to sleep at night. If you're
worrying about how the overnight Asian market is going to impact your international holdings....then we
need to talk! If you didn't think foreign markets can impact your holdings, even if you're not invested there....
then we need to talk!
Unique circumstances can come from any number of things: (these are just a few)
What is The 401k Dr's investment philosophy?
As an independent financial advisor, I believe in the following fundamental principles when it comes to
designing an investment portfolio and making specific recommendations: The purpose of a client's
investment portfolio is to fund current and/or future financial objectives. The design of the portfolio must
take into account the client's financial objectives, tolerance for risk, needs for current income or liquidity,
and special considerations such as income and estate taxes. It’s important to remember that no one can
predict the future. I certainly can’t. It is this difference of opinion that makes a market. Investment and
economic experts provided with the same information often come to different conclusions. I do not suggest
that I or that any of the money or mutual fund managers that I may recommend, will make the correct
decision every time. I do believe, however, that studying the historic trends and relationships of investment
asset classes and the philosophies and approaches of successful investment managers, researchers
and economists can provide valuable insight. The appropriate allocation of investment assets for your
goals and risk tolerance is the most important component in developing an investment portfolio. I believe
that a diversified, well-balanced portfolio, combined with methodical funding and patience, using primarily
long-term buy-and-hold strategies, increases the likelihood that one will achieve his or her long-term
financial objectives.
Click here to see our overall Philosophy.
How do you select investments for a client?
Before recommending any investment, I thoroughly review the client provided Financial History Evaluation.
This provides me the basis for goals and objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance for each client. Then
using third party sources for research and asset models, I review the current outlook for a particular asset
class or type of security, and how each investment fits within a client's portfolio given his or her objectives
and tolerance for risk. As fiduciary for my clients, I strive to obtain the most appropriate investment vehicles
to meet a client's objectives, while being very conscious of current market conditions and risk exposure.
How do you charge for their financial advisory services?
As a fee only Independent Licensed Investment Advisor I serve people at all income levels and from all
walks of life - whether the need is one quick question answered or ongoing financial assessment,
management, and direction. I have intentionally set my fees to be an affordable opportunity for beginners,
middle-income Americans, and do-it-yourselfers to get quality financial and investment advice. Higher net
worth clients can benefit from an affordable second opinion to their current advisor(s). I provide my advisory
services on a set fee schedule, retainer or hourly basis. Fee only means I do not accept sales
commissions or any compensation other than directly from their clients. Clients pay only for the services or
time I work with or for them. Hourly rates can vary based on services needed, existing clients, referral
among others. I base hours on the actual time involved in meeting with a client in person or via the phone,
researching and analyzing that client's current situation, and providing specific recommendations and
implementation assistance (if appropriate). I provide prospective clients with firm quotes of their estimated
fees at the end of an initial no-cost, no-obligation consultation. Please contact The 401k Dr for more
information or view my fee schedule.
Are your fees tax deductible?
Yes, with certain limitations. Section 212 of the Internal Revenue Code permits an itemized deduction for
tax and/or investment advice in the miscellaneous section of Schedule A. It is subject to a 2 percent floor of
the adjusted gross income on a personal tax return.
Interested in other tax planning ideas?
Once my financial plan or project is finished, will our relationship end?
No, only that service engagement will cease. Many services, like Retirement Plan Rx℠, are renewable each
year. It's up to you to contact The 401k Dr as any needs arise. I prefer to have long term relationships with
my clients, however that isn’t always the case. Just as someone thinks of a dentist as an ongoing provider
and has regular dental checkups to maintain good dental health, good fiscal health requires periodic
reviews of your personal finances by a qualified financial advisor, like The 401k Dr. Financial planning is a
process, not an event, as a fee only Independent Licensed Investment Advisor I offer ongoing services,
periodic reviews, and day-to-day consultation as requested and/or needed if you so desire.
How do I sign up for your FREE monthly eNewsletter, 'Your Financial Health Matters'?
It's Easy! Just complete our very short sign up form and you'll begin getting receiving 'Your Financial Health
Matters' each month. Don't forget to let me know what you think or suggestions for future topics!
How do I Stop (Opt Out) receiving your monhtly eNewsletter?
No problem. Just complete our very short Opt Out form and we'll remove you from our monthly mailing list
for 'Your Financial Health Matters' . We will remove you as soon as possible. Please note, depending on
the time of your request you may receive one more mailing. I apologize for any inconvenience this may
cause. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.
How do I get started?
Congratulations on making a great decision! It’s easy, you can call (877)-401KDOC (5362) or Click Let’s
Get Started. You can also email me direct; Ask The 401k Dr and I’ll answer any other questions and we’ll
set up your FREE no-obligation Financial Check-Up Consultation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2007 The401kDr.com - All rights reserved.
Done right, financial planning is a process that helps you figure out where you are financially today and
where you want to be in the future, and then helps you determine the best way to get there. The process
involves an initial in-depth diagnosis (review) of a client's current financial situation and then the creation of
a treatment plan (blueprint) on how to achieve future goals and objectives. The process can be specific to
one goal, like Retirement, or comprehensive and include multiple goals like college, major purchase,
estate, insurance etc.). As a fee only Independent Register Investment Advisor, I adhere to the philosophy
that unbiased advise is the best advise. The financial-planning process has several distinct steps.
Click here to check out the Four Simple Steps I use for Retirement Plan Rx.
What is a financial planner or advisor?
Anyone can say that he or she is a financial planner or advisor. That's why it's essential to be sure of the
qualifications and credentials of someone before you pay anything or entrust them with your financial
present or future. As a fee only Independent Register Investment Advisor with 19 years financial services
industry experience, I am well-qualified to help you with your financial advisory needs. An independently
registered investment advisor is an advisor who has taken extensive training, adheres to a rigorous code
of ethics, and is independently registered as an investment advisor with either the state or the SEC. A fee
only advisor should adhere to an established code of ethics. Generally the CFP® code of ethics and/or the
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors Fiduciary Oath. I follow both in my practice.
What's so different about Fee only advisors?
Fee only advisors provide their advisory services on a set fee schedule, retainer or hourly basis. This
means fee only advisors do not accept sales commissions or any compensation other than directly from
their clients. Clients pay only for the services or time an advisor works with or for them.
Let me show you how I help my clients, for less than it costs you for your daily coffee!
Don't I have to have lots of money to need or get a good advisor?
Absolutely Not. I have no income or net worth minimums for my advisory services. If I can’t help you, I’ll tell
you after our Free Initial Consultation.
How can a financial advisor help me?
Anyone, any age looking for financial peace of mind can benefit from working with a good financial advisor
either periodically or on a regular basis. As a fee only Independent Register Investment Advisor I serve
people at all income levels and from all walks of life - whether the need is one quick question answered or
ongoing financial assessment, management, and direction. I have intentionally set my fees to be an
affordable opportunity for beginners, middle-income Americans, and do-it-yourselfers to get quality
financial and investment advice. Higher net worth clients can benefit from an affordable second opinion to
their current advisor(s). As a fee only Independent Licensed Investment Advisor I also provide services to
corporations, retirement plan sponsors and organizations financial education programs for employees or
members. Each individual's situation is unique. Someone just starting out may need a detailed, long-term
plan of action while someone else already on the road to achieving their goals simply may need a new
strategy, professional insight, fine-tuning or second opinion of an existing plan. That's why The 401k Dr
works to custom tailor my services to meet each individual's needs. Goals can be short-, intermediate-, or
long-term. Reducing current income tax liabilities, for example, is a short-term goal, while funding a child's
education an intermediate one, and enjoying a secure financial retirement a more long-term goal. By
focusing on cash flow, investments, taxes, pensions, and retirement plans, estate planning, insurance
issues, savings opportunities, and other general financial matters, The 401k Dr can design a customized
financial plan for you.
What if I want or need to buy investment or insurance products? How do I do that?
As a fee only Independent Licensed Investment Advisor I don't sell products, only my time and expertise. If
requested I can offer specific recommendations and opinions on various products and services that may
be appropriate for a client's situation, and in turn can advise a client where to obtain those products or
services. If appropriate and at the client's request, The 401k Dr can help with plan implementation.
Do Fee only advisors provide just comprehensive financial planning?
No. Comprehensive financial planning has many benefits, however it is not necessary for everyone. As a
fee only Independent Register Investment Advisor I can limit my services to individual, specific needs like
cash management and budgeting, investment analysis or college education funding, whatever is critical to
you right now. Click here to see all the services at The 401k Dr.
My spouse and I need help and guidance getting started building for our financial future, we may have a
lot of questions. Will you accept us as new clients?
Yes. I enjoy helping clients learn and understand throughout our relationship. That’s why I have no
minimum income levels or net worth requirements. After 19 years experience, I realize that everyone has
financial questions. I am proud to work with people from all income levels and all walks of life. Remember,
you don't have to have a fortune to start building one. Click here and start building today!
I already have substantial assets and am doing quite well financially - I think. Can you help me?
Yes. As a fee only Independent Licensed Investment Advisor I offer many services for those people who
need more sophisticated financial planning or advice. Even if your goal(s) is to reduce your financial costs
or simplify your financial affairs, I may be right for you. Ever wonder if your current advisor is on target? Why
not a professional review for a second opinion, I can customize to your needs. At your choice, I can work
closely with your financial professional. I have worked with hundreds of financial professionals in the area
over my 19 years.
I'm in charge of the retirement plans and employee benefits at my company and would like to get more
employees to participate. How can you help us?
There are several key factors in increasing employee participation and appreciation. Conventional wisdom
says Education is the key. I have learned that Education is only part of the solution. Remember, my clients
are employee’s! So that means I have researched and answered their questions and concerns on their
finances and company benefits. It also means I have seen over and over, the gaps in company retirement
plans and benefits. That’s why I provide a full suite of Benefit Consulting Services and can tailor a
program for a company's employees to help them understand the benefits of various programs. To get
more detail click here.
Can you help me with any kind of securities?
Yes. I provide advice on all types of securities, including mutual funds, stocks, stock options, bonds, bank
deposits, variable and fixed annuities, limited partnerships and tax shelters to name a few. I can also
provide advice on mortgages, budgeting and cash flow issues, 401(k), 403(b) and other retirement
programs, life and disability insurance, and more. If it has to do with money and finances, The 401k Dr can
provide guidance and resources.
If I use a The 401k Dr, am I obligated to purchase the recommended products?
Absolutely not! At The 401k Dr, I offer advise and recommendations to meet your needs and objectives. You
are under no obligation to implement your plan or purchase anything. I recognize the importance of
shopping around for the best available product or service. If possible I normally recommend 3 sources
available to you. So if you need to fund an IRA, for example, I will suggest the type of IRA, like Regular vs
Roth, and the amounts that best fit your situation, then direct you to one of several different providers with
quality products at competitive prices. The extent of The 401k Dr’s involvement in helping with your
purchase of a product or investment also is up to you. If you would like, I can help you purchase
investments and/or set up your accounts with a third-party custodian like a discount broker or bank. Since I
am not compensated by commissions on products, you can be assured that my recommendations are
based on what I truly believe is in your best interests. As a fee only Independent Register Investment
Advisor I take my fiduciary role seriously.
Can you show me your Performance Results?
I love the quote from the movie Jerry Maguire, 'show me the money!'. I often get asked, 'show me your
performance results'. It is a very understandable question for anyone to ask when determining where you
want to invest your money and/or with whom. Part of me would like to make it that simple.
Problem is that it is not that simple. I usually explain it something like this:
I work individually with all my clients because everyone's situation is completely unique to them. This
uniqueness makes each client's portfolio performance unique.
For example, client A's portfolio might be invested aggressively (for any variety of reasons) and client B
(same basic age and dollars) may be invested conservatively (again for any number of reasons). I certainly
can't quote the performance of client A to client B (or vice versa) because their portfolio's are not
appropriate for each other.
Risk tolerance is the primary reason. Some people have a high tolerance to risking their hard earned
dollars and others don't. That's okay. I certainly want all my clients to be able to sleep at night. If you're
worrying about how the overnight Asian market is going to impact your international holdings....then we
need to talk! If you didn't think foreign markets can impact your holdings, even if you're not invested there....
then we need to talk!
Unique circumstances can come from any number of things: (these are just a few)
- Company stock
- Family business
- Limitations with a 401k plan
- Life events: marriage, divorce, college, children, aging parents, death
What is The 401k Dr's investment philosophy?
As an independent financial advisor, I believe in the following fundamental principles when it comes to
designing an investment portfolio and making specific recommendations: The purpose of a client's
investment portfolio is to fund current and/or future financial objectives. The design of the portfolio must
take into account the client's financial objectives, tolerance for risk, needs for current income or liquidity,
and special considerations such as income and estate taxes. It’s important to remember that no one can
predict the future. I certainly can’t. It is this difference of opinion that makes a market. Investment and
economic experts provided with the same information often come to different conclusions. I do not suggest
that I or that any of the money or mutual fund managers that I may recommend, will make the correct
decision every time. I do believe, however, that studying the historic trends and relationships of investment
asset classes and the philosophies and approaches of successful investment managers, researchers
and economists can provide valuable insight. The appropriate allocation of investment assets for your
goals and risk tolerance is the most important component in developing an investment portfolio. I believe
that a diversified, well-balanced portfolio, combined with methodical funding and patience, using primarily
long-term buy-and-hold strategies, increases the likelihood that one will achieve his or her long-term
financial objectives.
Click here to see our overall Philosophy.
How do you select investments for a client?
Before recommending any investment, I thoroughly review the client provided Financial History Evaluation.
This provides me the basis for goals and objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance for each client. Then
using third party sources for research and asset models, I review the current outlook for a particular asset
class or type of security, and how each investment fits within a client's portfolio given his or her objectives
and tolerance for risk. As fiduciary for my clients, I strive to obtain the most appropriate investment vehicles
to meet a client's objectives, while being very conscious of current market conditions and risk exposure.
How do you charge for their financial advisory services?
As a fee only Independent Licensed Investment Advisor I serve people at all income levels and from all
walks of life - whether the need is one quick question answered or ongoing financial assessment,
management, and direction. I have intentionally set my fees to be an affordable opportunity for beginners,
middle-income Americans, and do-it-yourselfers to get quality financial and investment advice. Higher net
worth clients can benefit from an affordable second opinion to their current advisor(s). I provide my advisory
services on a set fee schedule, retainer or hourly basis. Fee only means I do not accept sales
commissions or any compensation other than directly from their clients. Clients pay only for the services or
time I work with or for them. Hourly rates can vary based on services needed, existing clients, referral
among others. I base hours on the actual time involved in meeting with a client in person or via the phone,
researching and analyzing that client's current situation, and providing specific recommendations and
implementation assistance (if appropriate). I provide prospective clients with firm quotes of their estimated
fees at the end of an initial no-cost, no-obligation consultation. Please contact The 401k Dr for more
information or view my fee schedule.
Are your fees tax deductible?
Yes, with certain limitations. Section 212 of the Internal Revenue Code permits an itemized deduction for
tax and/or investment advice in the miscellaneous section of Schedule A. It is subject to a 2 percent floor of
the adjusted gross income on a personal tax return.
Interested in other tax planning ideas?
Once my financial plan or project is finished, will our relationship end?
No, only that service engagement will cease. Many services, like Retirement Plan Rx℠, are renewable each
year. It's up to you to contact The 401k Dr as any needs arise. I prefer to have long term relationships with
my clients, however that isn’t always the case. Just as someone thinks of a dentist as an ongoing provider
and has regular dental checkups to maintain good dental health, good fiscal health requires periodic
reviews of your personal finances by a qualified financial advisor, like The 401k Dr. Financial planning is a
process, not an event, as a fee only Independent Licensed Investment Advisor I offer ongoing services,
periodic reviews, and day-to-day consultation as requested and/or needed if you so desire.
How do I sign up for your FREE monthly eNewsletter, 'Your Financial Health Matters'?
It's Easy! Just complete our very short sign up form and you'll begin getting receiving 'Your Financial Health
Matters' each month. Don't forget to let me know what you think or suggestions for future topics!
How do I Stop (Opt Out) receiving your monhtly eNewsletter?
No problem. Just complete our very short Opt Out form and we'll remove you from our monthly mailing list
for 'Your Financial Health Matters' . We will remove you as soon as possible. Please note, depending on
the time of your request you may receive one more mailing. I apologize for any inconvenience this may
cause. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.
How do I get started?
Congratulations on making a great decision! It’s easy, you can call (877)-401KDOC (5362) or Click Let’s
Get Started. You can also email me direct; Ask The 401k Dr and I’ll answer any other questions and we’ll
set up your FREE no-obligation Financial Check-Up Consultation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2007 The401kDr.com - All rights reserved.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
