Frequently Asked Questions
We specialize in helping families who are at or near retirement with figuring out how to replace their income in the most tax-efficient way possible. We recognize we can't be all things to all people and don't pretend to be. As an independent registered investment advisor, we provide objective advice tailored to your needs, and our only compensation comes directly from the families we serve.
Anyone can call themselves a “financial planner” or a “financial advisor.” But only professionals who fulfilled the certification, education, training and renewal requirements of the CFP® Board can display the CFP® certification marks. That’s why it’s important to look for the CFP® designation when considering who to hire as your financial planning. As a CFP® Professional, we are required by the CFP® Board to put your interest ahead of our own.
Here’s what’s required to hold a CFP®:
- Education – Complete a comprehensive course of study, which covers the financial planning curriculum approved by the CFP Board.
- Examination – CFP® professionals must pass CFP Board’s comprehensive examination, which tests an individual’s ability to integrate and apply their financial planning knowledge.
- Experience – Three years of financial planning-related experience before one can use the CFP® marks.
- Ethics – Agree to be bound by CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, a set of documents outlining the ethical and practice standards for CFP® professionals.
A fiduciary has the highest ethical obligation to always put your interests first. Believe it or not, most financial professionals are not held to this standard and are only required to ensure their recommendations are “suitable,” a loosely defined term. This can sometimes result in conflicts of interest and people being sold products to generate a higher commission.
We look forward to the day that all financial advice is provided under the fiduciary standard.
We are a fee-only (commission-free) financial planning firm. This means the only compensation we receive comes directly from families we serve. We believe this is the fairest and most transparent way to provide financial advice as it ensures our interests are always aligned with yours. Since we’re not tied to any proprietary products, we can act as true advocates to identify the most cost-effective and appropriate solutions to meet your goals. Before committing to an engagement, our clients know exactly what they’ll pay for the advice they receive.
We serve families who are at or nearing retirement and need help putting the pieces together in a tax-efficient way. Our clients believe that financial planning is an ongoing, iterative process, not a one-time event. The families we partner with view us as a thinking partner to help them make the right decisions with their money as their lives and needs evolve over time.
Eudaimonia (pronounced you-day-mo-nia) is a term from ancient Greek philosophy that describes an ultimate state achieved by living a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. It was considered a state of “human flourishing” and represents, at its core, what we believe real financial planning is all about.
We do not take custody of client assets to ensure that your money is always held safely, securely, and separately from our firm. Eudaimonia Wealth has selected Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. as primary custodian for our clients’ accounts.
While we don't have a minimum investment requirement, our minimum fee is $8,000 per year. As a fee-only and commission-free firm, transparency is critically important to us. Before any engagement, you'll know exactly what you'll pay in fees and what you can expect from us, so you can make an informed decision about working with our firm.
Eudaimonia Wealth is a fee-only financial planning firm headquartered in Buffalo, NY. Our office is in the city of Buffalo on Delaware Avenue, within the former Chapin Mansion. For a detailed map, please visit our contact page.
We offer a complimentary meeting to get acquainted, learn more about your family, your goals, and aspirations, and determine whether we may be a good fit to add value to your life. To learn more or to schedule a call, check out our process.