FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As your financial planner, my role is to help you make informed decisions about every part of your financial life. This includes cash flow and budgeting, retirement planning, investment strategy, tax-efficient planning, employee benefits, insurance needs, college planning, estate planning basics, and more.
My goal is simple: to give you clarity and confidence, reduce stress around money, and help you make progress toward your life goals — one step at a time.
Most people reach a point where they want more clarity, structure, or direction with their money. A planner can help if you:
Feel uncertain about your financial future
Want a clearer retirement path
Have questions about investments or digital assets
Want help aligning multiple goals (kids, retirement, debt, home purchase, etc.)
Are going through a career change
Have equity compensation or variable income
Are approaching or in retirement
There’s no “perfect” age or net worth. Planning is valuable whether you’re getting started or optimizing an already solid foundation.
Financial advisors and financial planners are not just for people that have money. You should consider working with a financial advisor if:
- You have money concerns
- You want more confidence in your financial future
- You need a more structured retirement income strategy
- You need help evaluating insurance solutions
- You want to reduce your business 401(k) costs
- You have a high net worth
- You’re nearing or in retirement
Strateon Intelligent Wealth is fully fee-only, advice-only, and fiduciary. That means:
No commissions
No product sales
No asset-based fees
No pressure to transfer or roll over accounts
You keep full control of your investments
You get independent, conflict-free guidance tailored to you — not what a company wants sold. My advice covers both traditional planning and modern topics like Bitcoin and digital assets, depending on your needs and risk tolerance.
A fiduciary is legally and ethically required to act in your best interest at all times. I follow the CFP® Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct and always prioritize your goals, not mine or anyone else’s.
Fee-only means you pay for planning and advice directly, through transparent flat or monthly fees. I do not receive commissions or compensation from products or investment companies. This structure eliminates many conflicts of interest and keeps my incentives aligned entirely with you.
Advice-only means I provide planning and investment guidance without taking custody of your accounts or managing them for you. You stay in full control of your investments. I give you clear recommendations—and if you need help implementing them, I guide you step-by-step.
This model keeps costs lower and avoids the typical pressure to move or consolidate assets under an advisor.
No. I never sell insurance, annuities, investment products, or any commission-based solutions. You only pay for advice, which keeps everything conflict-free, transparent, and in your best interest.
I work with clients nationwide through virtual meetings. This allows for flexibility, efficiency, and a more convenient experience. You do not need to be located in Southern California for us to work together.
The initial comprehensive planning process typically spans about six months—from onboarding, through plan development, to implementation support. After that, ongoing planning continues as your life, goals, and finances evolve.
Some clients prefer one thorough plan; others value continuous guidance. You choose what fits your needs best.
Yes. You’ll have 24/7 access to your plan through the planning software, and you can request a PDF copy at any time. Initial comprehensive planning clients also receive a detailed PDF report at the end of the six-month engagement.
The software gives you the most dynamic experience, but the PDF is always available whenever you want it.
I make the process as easy as possible. After an introductory call, we gather your information using secure electronic uploads and account connections. I build your plan, we review it together, make adjustments, and then I guide you through implementation. Yes—there’s some work involved, but I handle most of it, and I walk with you every step of the way.
You’re not alone — very few people feel confident about their finances. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. My role is to help, not judge. Together we’ll organize your financial world and help you understand the possibilities ahead.
I work with individuals and families who value clarity, structure, and objective advice. Many are professionals building their careers, people with variable income, educators, entertainment and sports professionals, Bitcoin and crypto-curious investors, and people preparing for retirement.
The common thread: you want someone in your corner who provides honest, conflict-free guidance.
Most advisors charge based on assets under management (AUM). According to industry data, a $500,000 portfolio often costs around $5,000–$6,000 per year, and a $1 million portfolio often costs around $10,000 per year — every year, whether much work is being done or not.
My fees are not tied to asset size. You pay for planning and advice, not for how much money you have. This structure is more transparent, fair, and cost-effective for many people.
No. Both the Introductory Meeting and the Personalized Financial Assessment are free and carry no obligation.
No. You can schedule your meeting online at any time using the calendar on the Introductory Meeting page.
Yes. You don’t need to move or change anything to start planning. I help you evaluate whether your current accounts, investment choices, and custodians are aligned with your goals—and we make improvements only when they make sense.
You keep full control of your accounts wherever they are now. I don’t take custody of client assets, and I don’t require you to move your accounts. If it makes sense to open a new account or use a different custodian, I’ll explain why and help you evaluate the decision—but you always open and manage accounts yourself.
Absolutely. That’s exactly what the advice-only model is designed for. I provide the strategy, guidance, and support; you keep control and implement the investments yourself.
Since you maintain full control of your investments, there’s nothing to transfer or unwind. If you choose to end the relationship, your accounts remain exactly where they are.
Digital assets—especially Bitcoin—are a new and rapidly evolving asset class. They offer potential opportunity but also significant volatility and uncertainty. I help clients understand the risks, benefits, custody considerations, and how (or whether) digital assets may fit into their overall plan. The goal is always to align any investment decision with your goals, capacity for risk, and financial situation.
Yes. I help clients understand custody options for Bitcoin and other digital assets, including self-custody, hardware wallets, multisig, and third-party providers. My role is to educate and guide you through the risks and trade-offs so you can make informed decisions that align with your comfort and skill level.
Payments can be made via ACH and are billed automatically. I also accept Zelle and select cryptocurrencies.
That is a personal choice. I have education, training, and certifications specifically for financial planning and investing. There are many details and nuances that not everyone will pick up on or understand, and everyone and their situation is different. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to financial planning or investing. That's why I'm here... to guide you along the journey to your financial future.
I am a fee-only financial planner and adhere to the fiduciary (not the suitability) standard because that is the right thing to do for clients. You are the only one who pays me and as such, I work for you, and everything I do for you and all the advice I give you is always in your best interest.
Yes. I’m happy to coordinate with your CPA, attorney, or other professionals to make sure your financial, tax, estate, and investment strategies work together. Collaborative planning leads to better, more integrated outcomes.
After the six-month comprehensive planning process, you can choose to continue with ongoing planning. Ongoing planning includes regular check-ins, plan updates, investment strategy refinement, and support as your life and goals evolve. Many clients choose this option for continued structure and accountability.
Yes. I help you evaluate your employer benefits — health insurance options, retirement contributions, fund selections, HSA/FSA accounts, pension projections, and more. For many clients, optimizing workplace benefits is one of the most valuable parts of the planning process.
Yes. I help clients understand how their equity compensation works, how it’s taxed, and how to evaluate holding vs. selling decisions in the context of their overall financial plan.
Yes. I frequently work with educators, entertainment and sports professionals, gig workers, and anyone with fluctuating or project-based income. Planning with irregular cash flow is a specialty area for me, and we build a structure that smooths income and supports stable long-term goals.
Absolutely. I help clients determine the optimal time to begin Social Security benefits and build a sustainable retirement income strategy that coordinates investments, withdrawals, taxes, and long-term planning.
If you’re looking solely for budgeting support, I’m happy to recommend advisors who focus specifically on budgeting services. For most clients, cash flow affects many other areas of their financial life, so it’s typically part of broader planning.
