Frequently Asked Questions

What is Financial Coaching?

Financial Coaching is a collaborative, educational relationship that empowers you to achieve financial freedom.  Financial Coaching bridges the gap by providing a powerful, professional partnership designed to create action.  A Financial Coach works to educate their clients on the basics of personal finances, offers accountability, practical experience, and build their financial literacy.  They work with people who need help making budgets, paying down debt and creating a livable financial plan.  Their goal is to empower their clients to make smart financial decisions and take responsibility for their choices.  A Financial Coach is not licensed to give specific investment advice, which makes them different from financial advisors.  Through a series of meetings they help you develop a personalized financial plan tailored to your situation.  Financial Coaching is the link between knowing what to do and actually getting it done.  That’s why it works.

Do I need to be local in San Diego?

No, I work virtually from my office and essentially I come to you through the use of Zoom.  Zoom is a web conferencing tool to bring a virtual meeting together in the comfort of your own home.  Once you schedule your session, you will receive an email with the link to join our meeting from your computer’s browser.  No need to drive remotely to a meeting location unless you live in my area and prefer a one-on-one meeting in person.

Why couldn't I just use the resources out there and do it myself?

You certainly could and chances are you’ve tried.  Knowing there are millions of budget forms out there and resources of information does not mean that a person is automatically set up for success.  That’s where I come in.  I set you up on a plan that is tailored to your specific financial situation and through a series of meetings, we build on that financial foundation to once and for all bring you accountability and financial freedom.

What does a typical Session look like?

After scheduling an appointment, you will receive information about the meeting as well as a questionnaire in order for me to see where you are at in your financial position.  Once I receive that information 48 hours before our session, I will spend time reviewing everything and gathering my recommendations and changes that I will share during our meeting.  This is so that I don’t waste our time together just talking about the numbers.  I want to utilize our 2 hour session powering through strategic changes, tackling your top 3 concerns with your money, and devising a plan specific to your needs.

What Financial Coaching is not!

A Financial Coach is not someone who sells investment products such as mutual funds, stocks, retirement accounts, or insurance.  We do not give specific investing advice about investing or how much to invest. Financial coaching never provides specific market or securities recommendations.

If you have maxed out the free resources on your own and realized you need additional assistance, have tried a budget but couldn’t stick with it and are still in debt, or read financial magazines and books but don’t know how to put the plans in action, then you’d hire a Financial Coach. But if you have a robust savings, not in a lot of debt, and are ready for investing suggestions for your future, then you’d hire a Financial Planner/Advisor. Traditional financial advice from Financial Advisors/Planners are all about the money, not the problems people have associated with money. That’s where I can help! I’m the starting point to get you to a place where you will have the money to build wealth. Most people try getting out of debt and building wealth at the same time, but it doesn’t work. Financial Coaching can educate you on a wealth building strategy without the bias of selling you an investment product.

What makes you Qualified?
I am a graduate of the Financial Coach Academy as well as part of the Dave Ramsey Solutions Master Coaching Team.  I have the tools and the knowledge to set you up for Financial Success if you follow the principals and plan I create for you.  The financial history I’ve recovered from in my own life is a testament to the fact that I have the expertise necessary to help others advance to a place where they are financially stable and have a clear picture of where they want to be in 6 months, 1 year, or even 5 years.  If you work with me, we can set you up on a financial plan by gaining clarity of your current situation, identifying key problem areas, and implementing strategic steps to get you in the financial position you want to be in.