There is nothing easy about real wealth management. I use my experience, teaching background, wise use of technology, and "smarts" to work through your financial situation. This leaves you with a greater understanding and comfort level with your finances, so you can focus on what’s important in your life.
I’m the proud father of two college-aged kids, the lucky husband of one wife, founder of MILE Wealth Management, and an “old man” soccer player.
MILE is an acronym for “Making It Look Easy.” Most financial advisors are “Making It Look Complex” (they are MILCing their clients), hoping they look smart and justify their high fees. It’s no wonder their customers are feeling overwhelmed, not sleeping well at night, and not reaching their financial targets.
I work very hard behind the scenes to help you understand your financial situation and think through your goals. I've mixed the science and art of financial planning and investment management for more than 20 years. My goal is to help you be organized, accountable, educated, and comfortable with your finances so you can focus on the things that matter most to you.
I started as a computer geek guru. While attending high school, I was hired to write software for the pension industry. I learned a lot about retirement plans, and after several years, I co-founded a software company that sold pension software to firms all over the country. I was reading pension regulations, writing code, writing user manuals, copying and mailing disks, and providing technical support.
While securing my degree in Computer Science from UC Irvine, a co-worker turned me on to the world of investing, and I began reading all that I could on the subject. After several bad experience with a stock broker, my boss asked me to take over the management of the company’s corporate retirement plan. I knew I needed a more formal education, so I enrolled in some financial planning classes at UC Irvine. After taking my first course, I was hooked on the value of financial planning.
Those classes led to an opportunity to join a (then) small financial planning firm that is now one of the top wealth management firms in the country. Over my 19 years at that firm, I worked my way up from my intern position to financial analyst to financial planner to Director of Financial Planning to Chief Investment Officer and to Partner. It’s been over 20 years since I took those first classes; I’m still hooked!
After leaving that firm, I knew I didn’t want to work in a brokerage environment where success is defined by product sales. I surveyed several established fee-only advisory firms and found none that met my goals to provide wealth management that is customized, accessible, integrated, continuous, and understandable. I decided to start MILE Wealth Management.
It’s not often we get a “reset” in our lives and businesses. I got to rethink everything and have built a new practice using 20 years of hindsight. I’m so excited to show off what I'm doing.
I’m one of only 11 people in the nation that has both the Certified Financial Planner® and Accredited Pension Administrator designations.
I taught Retirement Planning courses for more than a decade to future CFP® Practitioners at UC Irvine and Northwestern University.
I served a three-year term for the CFP Board’s Council of Examiners helping write, build, and review several comprehensive CFP® exams.
My career has always been on the fee-only side of the business. I have never received a commission, incentive fee, or referral bonus.
I’m an active member of the Financial Planners Association (FPA), the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), the XY Planning Network (XYPN), and the National Institute of Pension Administrators (NIPA).
I’m a frequent speaker at the award-winning “It’s Your Money” seminar series with a focus on teaching financial planning principles to seniors.
I served as Planned Giving Advocate for the Orange County Chapter of JDRF (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).
Certified Financial Planner®, CFP Board
Accredited Pension Administrator, National Institute of Pension Administrators
I enjoy working with disciplined, do-it-yourselfers, who want a professional look at their finances. I offer a Financial Review that involves initial data gathering, an in-person discussion (live/phone/virtual), and an “accountability checkup.” I charge between $2,500 and $3,500 for this service.
I can also work with you on an hourly basis for specific financial projects. (Maybe you are considering a Roth conversion, Social Security drawing strategies, or have questions about pension draws.) Contact me and I will provide a quote for your project.
Wealth management is most effective when it's done proactively. I will act as your family financial officer, working with you to reach your financial goals and managing your investments.
Subscription Based Fees: I don't require a minimum portfolio size to work with you. If you have solid earnings, little/no assets (yet), complex needs, and the desire for proactive wealth management, I offer ongoing planning based on a monthly subscription fee ranging from $250 to $500 per month.
Asset Based Fees: For clients with more than $1,000,000 to invest, I offer ongoing planning paid as a percentage of assets managed. Fees for full proactive planning and investment management start at 0.80% and move down to 0.20% based on assets managed.
Real wealth management is hard. This is the reason most advisors only do investment management and bare minimum planning. Real wealth management integrates your situation, preferences, and goals to help direct the short- and long-term steps in your financial life.
I do not do financial plans; life changes so quickly these are often obsolete before the plan is printed and bound. I do PLANNING; we’re constantly updating your financial picture, your goals list, and your upcoming planning items. You’ll be organized, educated, and comfortable with your finances, so you can focus on the things that matter most to you.
Cash Flow PlanningReview your inflows and outflows (without strict budgeting) to help plan your saving, spending, and withdrawal strategies
Protection PlanningLook for uncovered risks, so your family is protected (but not overprotected) against negative events
Retirement PlanningUse advanced tools and realistic assumptions to “run the numbers” that’ll help you navigate your path through retirement
Education PlanningDesign a plan that will get your children (or grandchildren) through college without overburdening everyone
Tax PlanningIncorporate your cash-flow planning to look for opportunities to reduce your overall tax burden
Estate PlanningEnsure what you have is handled per your wishes when you can no longer control everything yourself
Charitable PlanningExplore strategies to help you effectively support causes that are meaningful to you
Investment ManagementBuild and maintain an investment portfolio that incorporates your personal goals and circumstances
Financial planning is not calculating how much
you need to save to retire at 65!
I break financial planning into multiple steps.
I put together your financial picture in a one-page view, showing your income items, assets, and insurance coverages. Seeing everything together is an eye-opener for most clients.
I put together a planning agenda that integrates your financial picture and goals list. This lists items I will be covering with you quarterly and their status before/after we act. You’ll see what’s been done, what’s in process, and what’s coming.
A properly built investment portfolio considers your goals, tolerance for risk, and financial ability to take risk. Without these, you might be driving a hot-rod to the corner store or a tractor in a drag-race. Getting this integration right is the most important factor in your investment success.
Your mix of assets determines virtually all the reward you’re expecting and risk you are taking. I'll work with you to determine a mix that makes sense for you. The more educated and involved you are in this process, the better you’ll handle those fear/greed times that the stock markets frequently provide.
I love teaching, sharing my experience and explaining tough financial concepts. Over the years, I’ve been quoted in several outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Los Angeles Times, Barron’s, CBS MarketWatch, New York Times, CNBC, and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.
Here are some of the recent places I’ve been quoted
Are There Any Mutual Funds Left That Are Better Than ETFs? (Jun 2024)
Lewis Braham, Barron's
When should I apply for Social Security retirement benefits? (May 2024)
Shelly Gigante, MassMutual
How to apply for Social Security (Jan 2024)
James Royal, Bankrate.com
Stocks Are in a Bull Market. What Does That Mean? (Jan 2024)
J. Edward Moreno, The New York Times
Make these 5 moves to maximize your 401(k) plan in 2024 (Jan 2024)
James Royal, Bankrate.com
Roth 401(k) vs. 401(k): Which one is better for you? (Jan 2024)
James Royal, Bankrate.com
Some Funds Will Hit Investors With Big Tax Bills. What to Watch Out For. (Nov 2023)
Lauren Foster, Barron's
How 3 Advisors Are Putting AI to Work (Sep 2023)
John Manganaro, Think Advisor
Advisors Glimpse the Promise, and Peril, of AI (Jun 2023)
Rob Burgess, WealthManagement.com
Ask an advisor: How can I diversify when both stocks and bonds are down? (May 2023)
Nathan Place, Financial Planning
Stocks and bonds not working for you? These alternatives might help — but pay attention to fees. (May 2023)
Morey Stettner, MarketWatch
How to use your retirement plan right now to lower that looming tax bill (Mar 2023)
Lynnley Browning, Financial Planning
Is $3M Enough for Retirement? (Mar 2023)
Ron Day, ETF.com
Advisors: Here’s How We Can Use ChatGPT (Feb 2023)
Steve Garmhausen, Barron's
Tax season 2023: Smaller refunds, jarring capital-gains bills (Jan 2023)
Lynnley Browning, Financial Planning
A Year-End Surprise: A Tax Bill on Top of Your Mutual-Fund Losses (Dec 2022)
Laura Saunders The Wall Street Journal
Thinking about a Roth conversion? (Sep 2022)
Brett Arends, Marketwatch
Year-End Tax Moves That Investors Should Consider (Sep 2022)
Tom Herman, The Wall Street Journal
Guest Post: Getting the Most from Social Security Claiming Tools (Jul 2022)
Social Security Advisor
How Advisors Calm Fretful Clients As Inflation Concerns Mount (Jun 2022)
Morey Stettner, Investors Business Daily
Vanguard Investors’ Tax Woes Don’t Have to Happen to You (May 2022)
Alexis Leondis, Bloomberg
These online tools boost your financial know-how — and they’re free (May 2022)
Morey Stettner, MarketWatch
The age for required withdrawals from retirement accounts could go higher. (Apr 2022)
Sarah O'Brien, CNBC.com
5 Steps To Take Right Now To Be Rich in 5 Years (Feb 2022)
Bob Haegele, GoBankingRates.com
Smart Spending In Retirement (Dec 2021)
MoneyGeek
7 Ways to Live a Little in Retirement (Nov 2021)
Patricia Amend, AARP
Tips for Taxpayers on Mutual-Fund Distributions and Charitable Giving (Oct 2021)
Tom Herman, The Wall Street Journal
Retirement Investing in the Covid-19 Era: Four Takeaways (Oct 2021)
Bill Millar, Advisors Magazine
3 Tips for Managing Your Investments as Stocks Keep Hitting Record Highs (Aug 2021) Mallika Mitra, Money
Required IRA, 401(k) withdrawals would start at age 75 under congressional proposal. Here’s who would benefit (Jun 2021) Sarah O'Brien, CNBC.com
Tax season turns into 'dumpster fire' for advisors, clients after stimulus bill passes (Mar 2021)
Lynnley Browning, Financial Planning
14 Key Signs You Will Run Out of Money in Retirement (Mar 2021)
Cameron Huddleston, GoBankingRates.com
Contact me if I might help with your research; I can be reached directly at 949-441-4410. If I’m not able to provide any insight into your topic, I’ll try to direct you to someone who might be able to help.
My favorite financial planning topics: integrating plans and investments, behavioral planning, charitable planning, advanced estate planning, tax return reviews.
My favorite investment topics: investment alternatives, behavioral investing, asset allocation, index investing, ETFs, mutual fund taxation, capital gains distributions.
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The best way to find out if I am a fit for your needs is to contact me. We'll discuss your situation, goals and needs. I'm happy to provide a qualified referral if I am not a good match for your situation or personality.