Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that many individuals find the financial planning profession confusing and intimidating. To help sort out some of the confusion, we take this space to answer some frequently asked questions about the financial planning process.

Why is financial planning important?

Life is a journey. On this journey, you may choose to wander aimlessly and allow fate to choose their ultimate destination. We believe it is far better to take control of your financial life, and choose where you want to go and what you hope to achieve. Educate kids. Buy a home. Start a family. Buy a vacation home. Retire early. Start a business. All these goals are easier to achieve with proper planning.

Isn’t financial planning only for the wealthy?

With wealth often comes financial complexity. For this reason, wealthy individuals often utilize the services of financial planners. However, we realize that complexity and is not exclusive to the lives of the very rich. We strive to make our services available to anyone who needs them by eliminating investment minimums, and utilizing unique programs such as our hourly fee-for-service programs.

Who can benefit from financial planning services?

I believe everyone should have a formal financial plan. If you don’t have the time or expertise to do it yourself, we can help. In particular, an independent financial planner can help families in the following situations:


  • Recent or upcoming marriage or divorce
  • Recent birth of a child
  • Children approaching college age
  • Employment change (lost or changed job)
  • Facing challenge of retirement
  • Received financial windfall or inheritance
  • Unhappy with advice from big corporate firms
  • Unhappy with investment performance


Aren’t financial planners just insurance salespeople in disguise?

Unfortunately many in the insurance and brokerage industries have used the financial planning process as a tool to sell financial products which are not in the best interest of their clients. We do not have proprietary products to sell you. We base our recommendations solely on what we believe you need to do to meet your goals. We believe financial planning should be about reaching your goals, not ours!

Is financial planning expensive?

That depends on what you want us to do for you. If your needs are relatively simple, we may be able to provide all the advice you need in an inexpensive two hour consulting session. If your needs are very complex, requiring detailed analysis, the cost will be more. It is very rare for us to work on a case, however, where we do not find some way for the client to save money well in excess of our fees.

How are financial planners paid?

Many financial advisors are paid commission on products they sell you. This is largely true of insurance company planners and some of the largest advisory firms. Although this might make it appear that you are getting “free” advice, the commissions are built into the cost structure of the often very expensive products they will sell you.

We choose to base our compensation primarily on fees. Doing so eliminates many of the conflicts of interest that plague much of the advice industry. We charge a reasonable fee for the advice we provide. Clients who choose to use our investment management services will pay an asset based fee for that additional service. In this way we are free to provide our investment clients with the widest range of low cost no-load or load-waived investment products. In certain cases, but only if it is cost beneficial to the client, we will substitute a commission based product for the asset management fee.

I don’t need a full plan, I just have a few financial questions. Can you help me?

We understand that some people are just seeking professional advice to help answer a few financial decisions. We make ourselves available for simple, hourly fee based consulting sessions in which we can address your most urgent financial concerns. Call us to schedule a convenient working consulting session.

How do I learn more?

Just contact us for a free, no obligation, no sales pressure consultation. We’ll get to know each other, and you will have the opportunity to learn more about how financial planning may help you.

Where are you located?

Financial Pathways is conveniently located at 1200 Route 22 in Bridgewater, New Jersey. From this central NJ location, we are convenient to the Somerset, Middlesex, and Hunterdon County towns of Hillsborough, Somerville, Warren, Basking Ridge, Bedminster, Clinton, Flemington, Readington, Branchburg, Piscattaway, Edison, New Brunswick, and Berkeley Heights.