Your Financial Planning Questions Answered

Financial Legacy Builders is a fee-only registered investment advisor (RIA) firm that helps people get their financial life organized, clear, and pointed in the right direction. Think of us as your long-term partner for money decisions, big goals, and everything that pops up along the way. We keep things simple, honest, and easy to understand. Our main focus is on blending financial coaching with actionable recommendations tailored to your unique situation. Where most other firms focus on complex graphs, analytics, and fancy calculations, we like to break things down into bite-sized pieces of information that you can actually apply to your life.

A financial planner, educator, and a guy who genuinely enjoys helping people take control of their money. I've spent my career teaching, serving, and guiding people through important life decisions. My goal is to make finances feel less intimidating and a lot more doable. As someone who has experienced the stereotypical homeless Marine Corps Veteran journey, I fully appreciate and understand the nuances behind personal finance on a practical level beyond the standard "just save and be smart" approach. My guidance is based on reality, not figurative charts or theoretical models that apply to most people, because you are NOT most people…you are you! And your family deserves individual attention and care. Learn more about me here: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/about

Most people don't need a planner because they're "bad with money." They need one because life gets complicated. A planner helps you avoid mistakes, plan ahead, and feel confident with your choices. You can read more about this partnership here: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/monthly-subscription. If you want clarity and a second set of eyes, you'll probably benefit from having one. A good financial planner acts as a personal CFO and coach in your corner, ready and willing to have difficult conversations about money, help keep you on course with your goals, and help plan for things that only someone who eats, sleeps, and breathes personal finance thinks about. Financial planning goes WAY beyond investments, budgets, and retirement planning… or at least it should!

I work with individuals, couples, professionals, and families who want a real plan, not a sales pitch. Many clients are navigating career changes, retirement decisions, growing families, or major goals. If money touches it, I help with it. My focus is on the military community and working-class citizens, as I can better relate to and empathize with their situations. However, this demographic has historically been overlooked in the market. Families that make this country run every day are the ones I work with and specialize in their needs. High-net-worth individuals, those 55 or older, and anyone looking to play crypto/stock trader are typically not a good fit. Check out "Who I serve (and Who I Don't)" section here: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/about

I keep things simple, transparent, and human. No product pushing. No confusing charts. No pressure. Just honest guidance, clear communication, and the support you need to make smart choices without feeling overwhelmed. The pricing we offer is incredibly affordable, being only 1% of household income. Think about this: if you make $50,000/year as your household income, your fee would be $500. Spread across the 20 hours we will spend together live on meetings, that is $25/hour. I do not know of a single individual or firm that offers anything like this to working-class professionals and military families. Furthermore, the blending of software, technology, support, and resources provided is unlike anything else. When I built Financial Legacy Builders, I had a clear vision of providing insane quality for next to nothing for everyday Americans, and that is something no one has done. To learn more about what makes FLB different: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/about

It means you pay me directly for advice. I don't earn commissions, I don't get bonuses for selling anything, and I don't make money behind the scenes. You hire me the same way you'd hire an attorney or CPA. Read more about my duty as a fiduciary here: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/fiduciary-oath

No. You don't need a certain dollar amount to work with me. Your goals matter more than your portfolio size. If you are just starting out, and even if you have no intentions of investing money in the foreseeable future, I can help! On the flip side, if you have $100K+ and are looking for assistance, I'd be happy to help! Managing money is just one little piece of the puzzle we solve for, and truth be told, most people would rather manage it themselves, which is perfectly fine with me! You are in control here.

Financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, tax planning, insurance guidance, budgeting, cash flow help, debt strategy, and big life-decision support. It's pretty much everything tied to your financial world. We walk through 10 major steps of the financial planning journey with every client to ensure no stone is left unturned. You can see the breakdown here: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/financial-plan

Most clients meet a few times a year, with quick check-ins as needed. If something changes in your life, we talk about it. I'm here when you need me. The key with me is accessibility! If there is time on my calendar, we can probably make it work. I take everyone through a 10-meeting, 20-hour process where we cover everything needed to build a financial plan, but should you continue to remain an ongoing client afterward, we meet whenever you need!

I help with tax planning. That means reducing surprises, spotting opportunities, and coordinating with your CPA if needed. I don't prepare tax returns… as of yet 🙂 More than anything, I help people actually understand their taxes. Our tax system is actually VERY generous once you understand how it operates, which is where I help people the most.

Yes. I build and manage portfolios based on your goals and comfort level. No day-trading, no guessing games. Just a steady, thoughtful approach. Some people enjoy a passive style of investing, where they set it and forget it, whereas others prefer a more tactical, hands-on approach. You can learn more information about our investment management service here: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/investment-management. Either way, I have you covered!

Yes. Most clients meet with me online because it's easier and fits their schedule. You can work with me from anywhere. Additionally, my hours of operation are incredibly flexible (holidays, weekends, nights, etc.) because I understand what it is like having to work multiple jobs, odd hours, and more. My job is to serve you!

We don't just look at investments or retirement. We look at the full picture: your goals, habits, risks, taxes, debt, lifestyle, and values. Everything matters, so everything gets included. Some people just want a quick piece of advice, which I totally understand; however, in order for me to provide my fiduciary duty fully, I MUST take a holistic approach. Yes, this does take a bit more time, but I have yet to have a client complain about having TOO much time with their financial planner - typically it is the opposite. For more information about the 10 step process: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/financial-plan

Usually, it takes a couple of weeks, depending on how quickly you complete your onboarding tasks. We move at your pace. I have some clients who spread their 10 meetings over months, and others who prefer back-to-back. It totally depends on your timeline, I am happy to adapt! Here is the complete breakdown: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/financial-plan

I will guide you through each step of the process, one piece at a time. To get started, just reach out to me here: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/contact and we can get a complimentary meeting scheduled to see how we can best work together.

Almost everyone feels this way at first. There's zero judgment here. My job is to help you get organized, understand where you stand, and feel better moving forward. Trust me, no amount of debt can surprise me. As someone who has personally found themselves with over $175,000 in consumer debt at one point in time, I have seen worse, haha. Life happens, and there is nothing to be embarrassed about (even if questionable charges appear on your bank statement). It is my responsibility to assist you through the process 🙂 For more information about our process, click here: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/my-process

Yes. Debt is common, and it's nothing to be ashamed of. We build a realistic plan, help you avoid mistakes, and get you on a path that feels manageable. There are many discussions about good debt vs. bad debt, various ratios you should strive for, and so much more. These nuances are precisely why we dedicate an entire meeting just to debt, because the truth about debt is IT DEPENDS on your unique situation. I know people who are in a TON of debt, but it works for them, and I have others who prefer to live a debt-free life. There is no right or wrong answer on this; it just boils down to your circumstances, but that is why I am here to help!

Absolutely. Your information stays private. I follow strict rules to protect your data, and everything you share stays between us. Information shared is held under strict privacy and confidentiality regulations. More information on our Privacy Policy can be found here: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/privacy-policy. Furthermore, your data is of the utmost importance to me, which is why we invested heavily in security measures:

• Elite Security Measures: Industry-leading protection surpassing many major advisory firms
• XDR Protection: Extended Detection and Response with 24/7 SOC monitoring
• Zero Trust Architecture: Advanced security protocols protecting all access points
• DNS Protection: Comprehensive network security on all systems
• Multiple Backups: Redundant data protection with strict protocols

Lastly, we have comprehensive Cyber and Privacy Liability Insurance to ensure protection on all fronts. We are not just building your legacy, we are safeguarding that legacy.

Yes. Whether you share everything or keep accounts separate, I help you get on the same page and make decisions together without stress. Financial Psychology & Therapy is a fascinating field and is the backbone of everything I do because behind every bank account is a person with feelings, baggage, and emotions. I always enjoy helping families come together and make decisions as a team.

That's completely fine. Most people don't. I teach you what you need to know without talking over your head, and I handle the technical parts for you. Investing should not be difficult. While I can always break out technical jargon and nerd about Sharpe, Beta, Alpha, Standard Deviation, and all of the stuff that sounds cool, what matters most is 1) do you know what is happening with your money, and 2) is it going to ensure you can accomplish your goals. The rest is all fluff that happens behind the scenes, and I can help keep it simple!

Yes. I help with cash flow, retirement plans, paying yourself correctly, taxes, and making smart decisions as your business grows. Hiring a CFO can be very expensive, but having a fractional CFO in the background to help you get a clearer picture of your money is often all entrepreneurs and small business owners need. Again, keeping things simple is what I do best. There is a time and place for advanced strategies and technical analysis that requires a business owner to call in the cavalry, but until that time comes, simplicity is key.

No problem at all. We can review them, manage them, or help you improve your overall plan without moving anything if you don't want to. Some clients wish to manage their own investments, which is perfectly fine. I am always happy to answer questions, provide some input, etc. However, if it makes sense, I am more than happy to provide more hands-on guidance and support in this area. The good news is that we work with a variety of custodians, so you are never shoved into a new platform/company just because.

Welcome to the club. Most people's lives are more complicated than they think. Blended families, military benefits, multiple accounts, big goals — we sort it out together. What I can always promise you is that if your situation is too advanced, too complex, or just above my pay grade, I will always let you know and point you in a better direction. Not only is that my fiduciary responsibility, but when I know I am a good fit for someone or could assist them, I can say it with 100% confidence.

Because I put your interests first, I don't sell products, and I take the responsibility of guiding your financial life seriously. You'll always get honesty, clarity, and respect. It took me years to build many other businesses to provide me the cash flow I needed to be completely independent and offer the services I do, at the price point I do. I love when people always ask me, "What is the catch?" and the truth is, there is none. I started Financial Legacy Builders not because I needed the money or clients, but because I truly wanted to help and give back to others. You can always rest easy knowing that I am a legal fiduciary, I am fee-only, I was raised without any money, I have been homeless, I served my country, I have worked odd-end jobs (cleaner, repo man, etc.), and above all, I am just a person with a heart to serve others. For more details about me: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/about

Never. During the process, we will absolutely examine your insurance needs and investment allocations/strategies, etc. I personally will never sell you a policy, stock, or mutual fund where I receive a commission. That is reserved for those with an insurance license, and/or a Series 6, 7, 63, and 66 FINRA license. Our process may discover that you lack adequate life insurance or auto insurance, and I can provide recommendations as well as loose quotes to give you an idea of the range of what to expect; however, I will never personally sell you something. I just provide the data, education, and recommendations! View our fiduciary oath here: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/fiduciary-oath

This is exactly why I offer an ongoing monthly subscription for individuals who wish to continue the planning relationship after we build the plan together. Life happens, things come up, goals change, disabilities occur, markets drop, people move, children come into play, parents/family pass away, etc. Life can be chaotic, which is why becoming an ongoing client can be incredibly valuable because when things change, we adapt, we strategize, we revise the plan, and we accomplish the mission. In the military, we have backup plans, but a backup plan only goes so far. This is where real-life tactical ongoing support provides peace of mind. Learn more about this ongoing relationship here: https://financiallegacybuilders.com/monthly-subscription