Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. I use Betterment as my custodian, and it’s also where my personal money is invested. Betterment has automated everything I believe about investment best practices, using low cost ETFs across a variety of asset classes to capture market returns. Investments are also rebalanced automatically, and the tax coordination features are a huge time saver that should slightly boost overall returns.

While the majority of my clients’ assets are at Betterment, I also have clients who maintain their own accounts on other platforms (Vanguard, Schwab, AllyInvest, etc.) and set up their own investments with my advice.

My role is to be your guide as you work to figure out how to use money in ways that support your ideal life. We start with a series of conversations about what you value most. We then get into looking at the resources you have (i.e. income and assets), and how they can be used in building that life you envision both now and in the future. We’ll then get into all the nitty gritty of investments, tax planning, insurance, and estate planning.

From there, I meet with clients three times per year and am also available as questions arise or life changes. Got a new job offer? Great, let’s schedule a call. New baby on the way? Great, let’s schedule a call. Your parents talked to you about an upcoming gift they plan to give you, and you want to think through how you’ll use it? Great, let’s schedule a call. 

I very intentionally keep a small business so that I have the flexibility to meet with clients when they need me. Typically I am working with no more than 50 households.

I am a CFP® Professional, which means I’ve satisfied extensive education and competency requirements and am held to the ethical standards laid out by the CFP® board. I earned a Certificate in Financial Planning from L.S.U., which includes the following courses: Fundamentals of Financial Planning, Insurance Planning, Investment Planning, Tax Planning, Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits, Estate Planning, and a Capstone Course. I passed the CFP® exam in 2017.

I’m a member of XY Planning Network, a professional community of fee-only, fiduciary advisors. I meet regularly with groups of other advisors for continuing education and coaching around financial planning concepts, and consistently read journals, articles, and attend webinars related to taxation, estate planning, investment, behavioral finance, and insurance planning strategies. In today’s ever-changing environment, I also devote time to staying up-to-date on new laws and how they affect taxes, student loans, and employee benefits. I’m a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) and Fee Only Network. As a CFP® and NAPFA member, I complete at least 30 hours of Continuing Education per year in Financial Planning and Ethics topics.

Maybe you should, or maybe you shouldn’t! It all depends on personal preference and what you’re seeking. My intention has always been to serve a small number of families in a highly personalized way. I don’t use A.I. to write my emails to you, and I don’t need the approval of 3 layers of compliance to get stuff done. If we have to meet more often for a period of time because you have a major transition you’re making, we do that. If we go through periods of time where we meet less often, that’s fine too. In a world in which so many of our interactions have been depersonalized, my goal is to be a human being you can trust, rely on, and collaborate with. 

I welcome clients of all races, ethnicities, and sexual identities. That *should* go without saying, but let’s be real: the financial planning industry is filled with a lot of people who look like me (see: white guys) who aren’t the most welcoming or understanding of other people’s experiences. I know that I may not fully understand the experiences you’ve had or how they shape your thoughts about money, and I work hard to integrate your unique experiences into the plans we make for your finances. 

If you’re seeking a firm that will have fully in-house services with tax preparation and estate planning all under one roof, that’s not me (though I can help you find the right professionals.) If you’re seeking a firm that will grow and grow and grow, that’s not me. If you’re seeking a firm that will make national headlines and make you feel fancy for being their client, that’s not me. 

That said, if you’re looking for tailored expertise, personalized support, a listening ear and someone you can trust to always be in your corner, get in touch!

I recognize working with a small firm brings up questions. But, I am a planner, you know : ). If I become disabled or pass away, I have a written business continuity plan in place that is shared with several financial advisors who would step in to support my clients and/or help them find a new planner. This plan is updated annually. Clients have access to their documents and investments at all times and do not need to go through me to access them. Just as I help my own clients with risk management and planning for outcomes we never want to happen, I do the same for the business.

I am seeking to bring on clients who want a long-term financial planning relationship. Life changes, needs change. My goal is to be there at your side, helping you navigate all the life that comes your way. I have many clients who I have been working with for many years already, and my aim is to continue working with them for years (and decades!) to come. While you can cancel the services at any time, it is not designed to be a “turn off, turn on” as you need it type of service. If you find yourself not getting what you need from our work together, I hope you’ll tell me so we can discuss!

Yes! There are really just four things you can do with money: spend it, save it, pay taxes with it, or give it away. Giving money away thoughtfully is a conversation I love to have, as it reflects what matters most to you. Are you looking to support particular non-profits or do direct giving? We’ll talk about the most efficient ways to do that based on your unique financial situation, and can also set goals of how much you want to give away each year.

While I specialize in working with those who have inherited at a relatively young age, I also have clients who are not inheritors.

While I’m located in New Orleans, I do all my work virtually via Zoom, and have clients who live across the country. But, I also travel often and love getting to meet clients in person! I’ve spent a weekend hiking with clients in Colorado, gone to a baseball game with clients in Pittsburgh, and had beers in a brewery in Brooklyn with my clients while our children played together.

No, I don’t know if now is the perfect time to buy (or sell) that one stock. If that’s what you are seeking, I’m not for you.

No, I cannot do every part of this for you. This is a collaborative process, and I’m here to guide it! But I can’t sign that life insurance application, gather all your tax documents, or monitor your spending every week. That commitment has to come from you. 

No, I’m not super into crypto. While my thoughts have evolved on it and I think there are some circumstances in which it can make sense in a limited way, I’m not following the crypto markets day in and day out. 

No, I don’t wear a suit. It’s not my thing.