Frequently Asked Questions

You don’t need to have everything perfectly organized. Before your first session, we’ll ask you to complete a brief financial snapshot to give us a starting point. If possible, have a general idea of your income, monthly expenses, debts, and savings or investment accounts.

Estimates are perfectly fine. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s clarity. We’ll help you organize and simplify from there.

Financial coaching focuses on education, clarity, and behavior. We help you understand your financial picture, strengthen your decision-making, and build sustainable systems that support your long-term goals.

Financial advisors, on the other hand, typically provide investment management, specific investment recommendations, and may sell financial products.

Our role is not to manage your money or give individualized investment advice. Instead, we help you develop the knowledge, structure, and confidence to make informed decisions , and to work more effectively with licensed professionals when needed.

The easiest way to check is by reviewing your recent pay stub. Look for a line item labeled “403(b)/ 401k” or “retirement contribution.” If you see a percentage or dollar amount listed, you’re contributing.

You can also log into your retirement account provider’s website to confirm recent contributions and current balance. If you’re unsure, your HR or payroll department can quickly verify whether contributions are active.

If you’re not currently contributing, we can walk through how to get started and determine an amount that fits your goals.

That’s completely normal. Combining finances is not an all-or-nothing decision, and there isn’t one “right” way to do it. Every couple has different comfort levels, spending styles, and financial histories.

Some couples fully merge everything. Others maintain separate accounts and share a joint account for household expenses. Many choose a hybrid approach that allows for shared goals while preserving individual autonomy.

The key isn’t whether accounts are combined, it’s whether there’s transparency, communication, and alignment around shared priorities. In our sessions, we help you explore what structure makes sense for your relationship and long-term goals.

The main difference is the interest rate. A high-yield savings account typically pays a significantly higher interest rate than a traditional savings account, allowing your money to grow faster while remaining accessible.

Both types of accounts are generally insured (if held at an FDIC- or NCUA-insured institution), meaning your principal is protected within federal limits. The key distinction is simply how much your money earns while it sits there.

High-yield savings accounts are commonly used for emergency funds or short-term savings goals because they offer better growth potential without taking on investment risk.

An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) and a mutual fund are both types of investment funds that pool money from many investors to buy a diversified mix of stocks, bonds, or other assets.

The main difference is how they’re traded. ETFs trade on an exchange like a stock, meaning their price can change throughout the day. Mutual funds are typically priced once per day after the market closes.

Both can offer diversification and professional management. The right choice often depends on factors like cost, flexibility, and how you prefer to invest. Many times an ETF has lower fees, allowing your money to grow faster