Daner Wealth Management FAQs

We specialize in serving high-earning professionals and families who need comprehensive wealth planning. Many of our clients are corporate executives or tech professionals with stock-based compensation, as well as individuals approaching or recently entering retirement. We also have a passion for guiding clients through major financial transitions. For example, we often work with women navigating events like divorce or widowhood to help them feel supported and confident about their financial futures. If you're a diligent saver or successful professional seeking expert guidance on complex financial matters like equity awards, retirement planning, or tax strategies, we're equipped to help.

We are fiduciary financial advisors, which means we are legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interest at all times. Being a fiduciary means we sit on the same side of the table as you. We don't receive commissions or kickbacks for recommending products. Our only loyalty is to our clients. This commitment ensures that every piece of advice we give is aimed at what benefits you, not what pays us more. Working with a fiduciary provides peace of mind that your goals and interests always come first.

We are a fee-only firm, so we do not earn commissions for selling investments or financial products. Our compensation is completely transparent. In most cases, we charge a straightforward fee based on a percentage of the assets we manage for you (around 1% annually on a tiered scale). For some engagements, particularly comprehensive planning, we may agree on a flat or fixed planning fee instead. We'll discuss the fee arrangement that makes the most sense for your situation during our initial conversations. You'll always know exactly what you're paying with no hidden fees and no incentives to recommend anything that isn't in your best interest.

We offer holistic financial planning and wealth management covering virtually every aspect of your financial life. This includes retirement planning to ensure your money lasts throughout retirement while supporting the lifestyle you want. We handle investment management by building and managing a diversified portfolio aligned to your goals and risk tolerance. Our tax planning helps reduce unnecessary tax burdens through tax-efficient investment and income strategies. We assist with estate and legacy planning to protect your wealth and ensure a smooth transfer of assets to your heirs. We also help with cash flow and budgeting to optimize your income and spending, plus risk management and insurance to safeguard your family and assets. We provide comprehensive advice across all these areas, coordinating your entire financial picture and collaborating with your other professional advisors like your CPA or attorney when needed.

A significant number of our clients are professionals who receive equity compensation, whether that's stock options, RSUs, ESPP shares, or incentive stock options. We have deep expertise in this area and understand the tax and timing complexities involved in equity awards. We'll help you answer questions like “When should I exercise my stock options?”, “How do I prevent a big tax hit?”, and “Should I sell or hold my RSUs?” Our planning integrates your equity compensation into your overall strategy to maximize the benefits and minimize the tax impact of your stock grants. Whether you're negotiating a new compensation package or figuring out what to do with existing shares, we'll provide clear guidance tailored to your situation.

Tax efficiency is a core focus in our financial planning process. For high-income earners and retirees alike, smart tax planning can save thousands of dollars over time. We proactively look for ways to reduce your tax burden through strategies like tax-efficient investing using index funds and ETFs in taxable accounts, maximizing retirement contributions and Roth conversions during lower-income years, planning the timing of stock option exercises to manage taxable income, and harvesting investment losses to offset gains. We coordinate with your tax preparer or CPA as needed to implement these ideas. Tax planning isn't an afterthought for us. It's an integral part of your financial plan year-round to help you keep more of what you earn.

Our investment philosophy is evidence-based and long-term. We don't chase fads or try to time the market. Instead, we focus on building a globally diversified portfolio tailored to your goals and risk comfort. In practice, that means we primarily use low-cost index funds and ETFs to capture market returns across asset classes. We avoid expensive funds with high fees that can eat into your returns, and we don't pick stocks or make big market-timing bets with your nest egg. Based on your needs, we'll determine an appropriate asset allocation and then manage that portfolio over time by rebalancing periodically, tax-managing where possible, and adjusting the strategy as your life or goals evolve. Our goal is to provide steady progress toward your objectives with a prudent and cost-conscious investment approach. It's all about staying disciplined and aligned with your plan rather than reacting emotionally to short-term market swings.

Our planning process is highly personalized and collaborative. We truly partner with you. First, we take the time to understand you through discovery conversations about your life goals, concerns, family, career, and finances. This isn't just about numbers. It's about what a great life looks like to you. We want to hear about your dreams for retirement, any fears or complexities you're facing, and what you value most.
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Next, we build a plan that fits your life. Based on the deep understanding we gain, we'll create a customized financial strategy covering all the key areas like retirement planning, investments, tax planning, estate protection, cash flow, and insurance. Every recommendation in the plan is tailored to support your unique goals and give you confidence in your financial direction. We'll walk you through the plan in plain language and answer all your questions.
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Finally, we guide you every step of the way in putting the plan into action and keeping it on track. We don't just hand you a binder and send you off. We help implement the strategies and provide continuous support year after year. As life happens with market shifts, job changes, new goals, or unexpected challenges, we'll adapt your plan and investments accordingly. Our process is designed to give you clarity and confidence without the overwhelm.

As often as it takes to ensure you feel informed and secure. We don't impose a one-size-fits-all schedule. The frequency of meetings and check-ins will be tailored to your needs and preferences. At a minimum, we like to formally review your plan and portfolio with you at least once per year. Many clients prefer twice a year or quarterly reviews.

Between those reviews, we're available for any questions or discussions whenever something comes up. We encourage you to reach out if there's a major life event or even if you're just feeling uncertain about the market. That's what we're here for. We also stay proactive on our end with regular communications, whether informal check-in calls, relevant financial updates, or opportunities we've identified for you. Our philosophy is to be high-touch and accessible, especially during times of volatility or change.

We often collaborate with our clients' other professional advisors to provide truly integrated guidance. If you have a tax CPA, we'll coordinate with them on tax strategy, share relevant investment info for your returns, or discuss the timing of big financial moves to minimize taxes. If you have an estate planning attorney, we'll work together to align your investment accounts and beneficiary designations with your estate plan. We believe teamwork leads to the best outcomes. If you don't have someone in a particular role, we can leverage our network to introduce you to trusted CPAs, attorneys, or insurance specialists when needed. By working closely with your other advisors, we help ensure all the pieces of your financial life are moving in sync and in your best interest.

The value of working with us is in the personalized expert guidance and peace of mind you receive. We often find that our clients come to us after realizing that an automated platform or DIY approach can't address the full picture of their financial lives.
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First, we provide an objective sounding board and seasoned expertise. You get regular access to a knowledgeable advisor who can answer questions, brainstorm strategies, and help you avoid costly mistakes in real time. Second, we bring a much broader array of strategies and solutions to the table than a one-size-fits-all tool. We can advise on tax optimization, equity compensation, retirement withdrawal strategies, insurance needs, estate planning, and more in one cohesive plan, whereas a robo-advisor mainly just manages investments. We also have access to investment options and planning techniques beyond what a DIY platform offers.
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Finally, there's the behavioral aspect. Having a trusted advisor means you're less likely to panic-sell in a downturn or overlook an important to-do. We provide accountability,