"Do I need a financial advisor, or something else?"

It's a fair question, and the answer depends on what you're actually stuck on.

What I am

I'm a coach. I help you understand your own financial situation and decide what to do about it. We look at what you have, what you owe, and what you want, and we work through it together in plain language until it makes sense to you.

The main thing I bring is that I have nothing to sell you. No products, no commissions, no accounts I'm trying to open, no assets I'm trying to manage. If the right answer for you is "do nothing for six months," I can just say that.

What I'm not

I'm not a certified financial planner, a licensed broker, an accountant, or an attorney. I can't sell you investments, file your taxes, or manage your money.

Those roles exist for good reasons, and there are situations where one of them is probably who you want:

• Complicated taxes, a business return, or anything where you need a signature on a filing. That is usually an accountant or a CPA.
• Buying or selling securities, or having someone actively manage a portfolio for you. That usually calls for a licensed professional.
• Estate planning, trusts, or anything with legal weight. That is usually a question for an attorney.

If you come to me with one of those, I'll say so. I'd rather point you toward the right kind of help than pretend I'm it.

Where coaching actually helps

A lot of financial stress isn't a product problem. It's a clarity problem.

You don't need someone to sell you a mutual fund when what you actually need is to know what your six student loans are, what each one costs you, and which one to attack first. You don't need portfolio management when the real issue is that you and your spouse have never had one calm conversation about money.

That's the space I work in. Understanding, deciding, and following through.

The honest version of the tradeoff

Working with a certified professional gets you credentials, regulatory oversight, and someone who can act on your behalf. That's worth real money and sometimes it's exactly what you need.

Working with me gets you someone who will sit with you until it makes sense, who has no financial stake in your decision, and who will tell you when you need somebody else.

Different tools. Know which one you're reaching for.