My Story

Since leaving the military, I’ve gone through my fair share of job changes. Each transition has required careful financial planning to ensure I could maintain my cash flow needs, optimize my work-life balance, and stay on track for retirement.

Eventually, I became a financial planner to share the strategies that have helped me navigate my own career transitions. After working at several insurance and investment management firms- I realized I could offer better, more comprehensive services as an independent, Advice-Only financial planner. That is what led me to start Sonar Wealth.

No! While I focus on serving military veterans in their mid-to-late civilian careers, I also work with professionals from all backgrounds, regardless of their career situation or military experience.

Financial advisors differ in how they charge for services and provide advice. Having worked in various models, I’ve seen the strengths and challenges of each, which ultimately inspired me to create an Advice-Only financial planning firm. Here’s a quick breakdown of each model:

Traditional Financial Advisors

These advisors typically earn commissions from selling financial products, such as mutual funds, insurance policies, or annuities.

• Pros:

  • Often includes "free" financial advice tied to product purchases.

  • May have extensive experience with specific financial products.

• Cons:

  • Potential for conflicts of interest, as their compensation depends on product sales.

  • Recommendations may prioritize products that generate commissions rather than what’s best for the client.

Fee-Only Financial Advisors

These advisors are compensated solely through client fees, such as a percentage of assets under management (AUM), hourly fees, or flat fees. They do not earn commissions from products.

• Pros:

  • Fiduciary obligation to act in the client’s best interest.

  • No product sales, reducing conflicts of interest.

• Cons:

  • AUM-based models may primarily serve clients with significant investment portfolios.

  • Annual fees can add up over time for clients with high net worth.

Advice-Only Financial Advisors

These advisors provide financial advice without managing investments or selling products. They charge hourly or flat fees for their services. This is the model I offer at Sonar Wealth.

• Pros:

  • 100% conflict-free advice tailored to your needs.

  • Ideal for clients who prefer to manage their own investments or want to learn how to manage them.

  • Transparent, pay-as-you-go structure for affordability and flexibility.

• Cons:

  • Does not include investment management, which some clients may prefer. However, Advice-Only advisors can still provide guided support as they help clients learn to manage their own investments. I take it a step further and will provide 1-on-1 investment support for as long as you are my client.

  • While Advice-Only advisors are there to help clients stay accountable toward their financial planning needs, this model requires clients to be proactive in implementing recommendations. This is why I provide monthly 1-on-1 coaching & accountability sessions in addition to comprehensive financial planning.

Choosing the right type of advisor depends on your personal preferences, financial goals, and the level of involvement you want in managing your finances. If you value unbiased guidance and control over your investments, advice-only might be the best fit. For those seeking ongoing investment management, fee-only advisors can be a strong choice. Traditional advisors may suit clients comfortable with product-based planning.

Do you have additional questions, or are you ready to get started? Click Here to schedule a free 30-minute introductory call.