Vermont's Fee-Only Fiduciary Independent RIA

My Journey...

I grew up in a family of bankers which I think piqued my interest in personal finance from early age. I remember being 7 or 8 asking my dad to buy me a newly issued bond I overheard him talk about. To be honest, I wasn't 100% certain what I was buying at the time, but after receiving a payment a few months later, I was hooked. From then on, unlike most children who dream of being teachers or police officers, little Nev dreamed of becoming was a trader on Wall St. By the time I was in my teens I started to plan my retirement.

When I turned 18, I came to the U.S. for education and never left. After graduation I got a job in higher education, where I stayed for about 25 years. It's true, I never got that Wall St. job, but my passion for investing and business never waned.

I started a few part-time businesses, most of which failed, but each one teaching me important lessons. In my late 20's I focused most of my free time on investing and semi-jokingly told everyone I planned to retire by age 35. I missed my target by two years and finally reached the point where I could stop working at the age of 37. I tested "retirement" through extended trips and hated it. Turns out, I'm not built for extended relaxation and beach-time, I need a purpose.

I stayed at my job as I began soul-searching for my next chapter, a purpose-driven life. In the meantime, I started teaching financial literacy courses and loved every second of it. I learned that while people praised the education, they often found the implementation overwhelming and needed help with execution. That is how I became a financial planner.

The final piece of my purposeful life puzzle was finding my forever home. I chose Vermont. I fell in love with the state and the people well over 20 years prior, but for whatever reason any attempt to move here just didn't pan out... so after a 20-year pursuit, I am finally home.

Aside from my love and passion for financial planning and spending time with my clients, I enjoy exploring the great outdoors, international travel, and ballroom dancing.

This is me and my buddy Charlie. He frequently attends our meetings, so don't be surprised if you see a random tail during the call.

Services

We are a full-service, independent, fee-only, fiduciary, Vermont based registered investment advisory firm.

Wealth Management

Whether you are starting from scratch, have accumulated or inherited millions, or are somewhere in between, investment management requires time and dedication. While some people enjoy managing their investments, many find it too time consuming and overwhelming. This is where we come in.

In addition to working alongside you to build a portfolio that works for your personal situation, we manage the investments, including regular rebalancing and adjustments (as needed). Our wealth management provides ongoing support for our clients, not only on the investment side but also on the ongoing and regular financial planning and implementation.

We believe in meeting our clients where they are and helping them get where they wish to go. For that reason, we do not have investment minimums.

Financial Planning

One-size does not fit all, or most, for that matter. At Elephant Corner Financial we believe that your financial plan should be as unique as you are. Here, we go in depth, uncovering every aspect of your financial life, from cash flow and retirement to college and business planning.

While we have a set order of meetings to build the plan, we always leave room for you to drive it based on your priorities. We believe in meeting our clients where they are and helping them get where they want to go.

Even the most astute individuals reach a point where we can use some help. So, if you have questions, if there are uncertainties then let's uncover them together and build a plan by your own design, serving your needs.

For in-depth services listing and process, please visit our Financial Planning page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a fiduciary?

Yes, we are a fiduciary in every sense of the word. We have not only a moral responsibility, but also a legal obligation, to act in the best interest of our clients, at all times, and with respect to all accounts.

How are you compensated?

We are a fee-only advisory firm, which means the only compensation we receive comes directly from our clients in the form of transparent fees. No commissions. No referral fees. No related business entities.

What type of clients are the best fit?

We specialize in planning for individuals who have some degree of financial complexity and many moving pieces and/or competing priorities. For example, small business owners, parents saving for retirement and college for their children, individuals with student loans, real estate and alternative assets investors, high-income earners, single and dual-income individuals without children, individuals with families or assets outside of the United States, etc.

We find we work the best with those who share a similar philosophy in life and money. Some of our clients may be considered high- or ultra-high-net worth individuals while others may be considered middle-income. Regardless of actual net worth, clients that have middle-income values, and like us, seek simplicity and clarity tend to be a good match. They live well within their means but enjoy quality and living well today while being mindful of the future.

Our clients are forward looking, life-long learners, optimistic, driven, kind, and humble. While they recognize the importance of their finances, it's not what they want to spend their days doing. They look to us as a partner to guide them and act as their advocate, wherever possible delegating the day-to-day implementation. The end result is confidence in their financial plans for the remainder of their lives and a lasting legacy, if desired.

Do you have investment minimums?

No. We believe that everyone can benefit from ongoing financial planning and management and we all have to start from somewhere.

Do you offer different methods of payment?

Yes, we offer a few different methods of payment designed to fit individual clients needs.

Where can I learn more?

To learn more about who we are, explore other sections of this website, such as the "About Us" page or our blog. Or simply schedule a call and let's talk.

Will you make me to sell my assets?

Absolutely not! While we may provide suggestions and recommendations based on what we believe is in your best interest, we will never mandate anyone to sell (or acquire) any assets.

Our overall philosophy is to be your financial partner and a guide, sharing our knowledge and insights, but ultimately the clients make all final decisions.

What does "independent" mean?

Independent means we are not affiliated with any banks, brokerages, wirehouses, insurance companies, etc. We do not have quotas and we choose who we work with and serve. We are product-agnostic and free to recommend whatver truly fits our client's needs.

Have more questions?

Is wealth and investment management mandatory?

No. Clients can choose to be one-time or ongoing financial planning clients with or without investment and wealth management. For clients who desire wealth management we have a mandatory financial planning before we engage in any investments. To find out why, please reach out and let's talk.

Tell me more about client meetings?

All of our client meetings are virtual, through video conferencing. This allows for maximum flexibility for all parties and easy screen sharing.

The frequency of meetings depends on each client's needs. We firmly believe in meeting you where you are and helping you get where you want to go.

The initial planning process typically involves 4-8 meetings, spaced every 2-4 weeks. After your plan is in place, we continue with ongoing check-ins and implementation, typically 1-4 times per year. Some clients choose monthly sessions for deeper accountability and support.