Frequently Asked Questions


What is Formula Wealth (FW)? 

FW is a financial concierge empowering families to optimize their wealth and minimize their taxes. Through education and guidance, clients of Formula Wealth will implement strategies to enhance multi-generation tax savings, investments, risk management, generational planning, and estate structures.

Is FW going to sell me anything, or get commissions off our relationship? 

Absolutely not. As a flat fee, fee-only fiduciary financial planner, I only have one source of business income: what you pay me directly for independent advice. I do not get paid from the investments I utilize in your portfolio, introductions I make, the trades I make, or any life, long-term care, or disability insurance we discuss.

How do you charge?

See our Fee Overview page to learn about flat-fee pricing.

Why should I hire a financial advisor? Can’t I do this myself?

Absolutely! If you have the time, interest, and ability to learn about and implement strategies to better your financial situation, by all means – do it yourself! It’s a great feeling to know you’ve mastered your finances. Formula Wealth is here for people who don’t have this option.

What are your qualifications? 

I earned my master’s degree in accounting and subsequently my CPA license right after undergraduate school. After four years as an auditor for a Big 4 accounting firm, I maneuvered to a Texas CPA firm in their wealth management department. Through working with the team and clients there, I confirmed my passion for financial planning. In my first year at the firm, I passed the Series 65 - Uniform Investment Adviser Law exam, obtained my Texas life insurance license and Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS®) designation, and ultimately became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner (CFP®). Once I started my own firm, I chose to take my studies even deeper for high net worth clients and achieved the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® designation after completing the coursework at Yale School of Management.

How will our relationship work? 

We will meet several times in the first few months to get a good understanding of priorities, goals, and to layout an early draft of a financial plan. As the relationship progresses, we will meet 2-3 times per year to discuss personal financial updates, market conditions, and follow our Service Calendar. If clients have questions, concerns, or otherwise merely want to check-in in between the 2-3 scheduled meetings, my clients know they can (and should) call me. I am not charging hourly, so it does not cost you to touch base with me and discuss what’s on your mind. I’m always happy to talk!

Will you be too busy for me as a solo advisor?

Nope! I am very intentional about how many families I serve, and how frequently I'm onboarding new ones. Because of the tremendous amount of time I need in the early months of an engagement, I only allow 1-2 new families per month. Once I have my 40 family capacity, I will be referring all interested new prospects to other high quality, flat-fee, fiduciary advisors.

What is your investment philosophy? 

I believe:

1) Markets are efficient. I recognize that it is impossible to consistently be the first person to act on market-changing news, and therefore it is very difficult to get on the right side of momentum when prices change so quickly.

2) There is value in a globally diversified portfolio, adding slightly more weight to areas of the capital structure that have higher expected rates of return over the long run.

3) Frequent trading creates costs and erodes return.

4) There is a difference in speculation and investing; I am only interested in the latter.

5) Understanding a client’s risk appetite and financial goals gives me enough information to suggest an appropriate allocation across equity and fixed income.

6) Panicked reactions to market swings can lead to a horrible investment experience.

7) Being a contrarian and rebalancing during times of turmoil can be a great way to take advantage of market swings.