Meet: Elias Young

Yes, I offer a complimentary initial consultation. This meeting gives us both the opportunity to get to know each other and determine if we’re a good fit. During this consultation, we’ll discuss your financial goals, current situation, and how my services might benefit you. It’s also a great time for you to ask any questions you have about the firm and my approach to financial planning.

You can use the Calendly scheduler below to schedule an introductory consultation meeting at your convenience.

I made the decision to be fee-only because I very firmly believe in minimizing conflicts of interest in any profession where professional advice is being given. If you are relying upon someone to give you the best advice possible, it only seems right that it should not be clouded by potentially recommending something based on the commission you will receive (even if it is still in fact the best option for your client).

You should use those resources to understand how everything works. Where things change is when you need -advice- that goes beyond describing what you have access to and figuring out how to strategically use it.

You may have questions like:

• How you should be investing across your portfolio

• How leaving public service affects your financial plan

• How much you should be saving, and where exactly

• Whether you can retire comfortably

• Other financial decisions that involve choices that are hard to undo

If you have questions like the ones above, that’s when someone like me can take the time to understand your situation, then work with you to make the most of what’s available to you.

You may also have a spouse with additional financial considerations (maybe involving CalPERS, another pension system, equity compensation/RSUs, etc.) and want to talk to someone who can sort through your combined financial picture with you.

Not seeking professional help when it is warranted. There is plenty of information online about just about any subject you can search for, but that doesn’t mean that it is all reliable or taking your specific circumstances into account. It is very common for people to have blind spots in that you don’t know what you don’t know. By going to a professional that looks at personal finances day in and day out, you are much less likely to miss the blind spots and discover ‘low hanging fruit’ in your financial life that you may not have been aware of.

As a fee-only financial advisor, my pricing structure is transparent and straightforward. I typically charge a percentage of assets under management, which allows our compensation to align with your financial success. This begins at 0.95% of AUM.

For comprehensive financial planning services, I typically charge an hourly rate with a fixed cap on the engagement depending on the complexity of your situation.

Both, and it tends to depend on what you need.

Some people come to me for a single project, like mapping out their CalPERS pension decisions or building a retirement roadmap, and that may be all they want.

Others prefer that I stay on as their advisor and manage their investments as they accumulate and then drawdown over time, coordinating the portfolio, tax planning, and pension income year after year as things change.

If you want ongoing investment management, I offer that as a percentage of assets managed, with the firm's advisory fee capped at 0.95% regardless of account size (and potentially lower depending on portfolio size and the scope of the work).

We can start with a project and move into an ongoing relationship later, or begin with ongoing management from the start, whichever fits your situation. It is worth noting that I typically bundle financial planning with my AUM service, so ongoing clients get both together rather than paying for them separately.

The frequency of our meetings depends on your individual needs and preferences, but here’s a general outline:

• Initial Planning Phase: Typically you should expect to meet 2-3 times over the course of a few months to develop your comprehensive financial plan.

• Regular Check-ins: After the initial phase, I usually schedule meetings at least annually to review your progress, make any necessary adjustments, and address any new questions or concerns.

• As-Needed Basis: I’m always available for additional meetings, and encourage you to schedule time with me if significant life events occur or if you have pressing financial questions.

Remember, these are general guidelines. We’re flexible and can adjust the meeting frequency based on your specific needs and preferences.

While I don’t have a strict minimum asset requirement, my services are typically most beneficial for clients with investable assets of $250,000 or more. However, I understand that everyone’s financial situation is unique. If you’re below this threshold but are committed to growing your wealth and believe my services could be valuable to you, I encourage you to reach out for an initial consultation. We can discuss your specific needs and determine if we’re a good fit for each other.

There are a number of circumstances I’ve run into where I have uncovered one or more situations or helped build a strategy that greatly helped my client:

• A widow who I was able to put a custom claim strategy together for her Social Security and Survivor benefit

• A couple who needed help unwinding a life insurance policy with numerous tax implications

• Clients whose investments where completely unaligned with their own personal beliefs and tolerance for risk

• Clients who didn’t realize how high their current fees actually were, between the advisory fees they were paying along with the
  commissions and additional fees embedded within the investments they had

• Clients with complex tax situations, where I have been able to help smooth out their taxes across the lifespan. I’ve also helped
  clients maximize their situation when they are in an unusually low tax bracket

• Keeping clients from checking out of the market and locking in their investment losses during the most recent downturns (COVID, 2022, The drop after Tariffs were announced in 2025)

• Ect.

I am in the same industry as stock brokers and insurance salesmen, but the services I provide are more centered around holistic financial advice rather than product sales (even if they use similar titles to describe themselves). I spend a great deal of time pouring over my clients financial information to ensure that they are continually making the best decisions for their own personal financial situation. I pride myself on having intentionally set up my firm in a way that I put my clients interest ahead of my own, and refuse to be incentivized by compensation by 3rd parties.

I worked my way through college managing a pizzeria, and doing delivery work (never a boring day in that line of work). I also had my own clientele as a private tutor. Before any of that, I found opportunities to sell candy to my peers and periodically would do door to door sales (floral & local discount bundles). I have found that all of these different jobs have helped build the foundation of the skillset I use in my work today.

Your assets are held with a reputable third-party custodian, specifically Charles Schwab. This arrangement provides an added layer of security and transparency. As your advisor, I have the authority to manage these assets based on our agreed-upon strategy, but never have direct access to your funds. You’ll receive regular statements directly from Charles Schwab, allowing you to verify your holdings and any transactions independently.

I’ll provide several tools and methods to help you stay informed about your financial picture:

• Regular performance reports and portfolio reviews

• Access to a secure client portal where you can view your accounts, important documents, and financial plans

• Quarterly newsletters with market updates and financial tips

• Annual comprehensive financial reviews

Additionally, as mentioned earlier, you’ll receive statements directly from your account custodian. I’m always available to answer any questions you might have about your accounts or financial situation.

As part of a comprehensive approach to financial planning, I often collaborates with other professionals such as accountants, estate planning attorneys, and insurance specialists. When referrals are made:

• I recommend professionals based on their expertise, reputation, and how well they align with your specific needs

• I don’t receive any compensation for these referrals, ensuring recommendations are unbiased

• I’m happy to coordinate with these professionals on your behalf to ensure a cohesive strategy

• You’re always free to choose your own professionals if you prefer

My goal is to ensure you have a team of experts who can address all aspects of your financial life effectively.