Frequently asked questions

14 questions

• How can you afford to do this for $100/mo?

  Heavy use of modern technology and AI for the operational side of the practice — research synthesis, document drafting, quarterly-review prep, compliance reporting — means the firm runs lean. The $100/month flat fee is enough to support a credentialed solo fiduciary practice when the back-office work is automated.

  The flat-fee structure also removes the incentive to chase asset growth at the expense of advice quality. The fee is the same whether your portfolio is $250,000 or $5,000,000, so there is no commercial reason to recommend a product, allocation, or strategy that benefits the advisor over the client.

  See also: "Do you use AI?" and "How?"

• What am I giving up?

  The main trade-off is implementation. Smarter Way Wealth provides financial planning and personalized investment recommendations on a non-discretionary basis, which means you keep control and place trades through your own brokerage account.

  You receive direct access to David, ongoing planning and investment guidance, and recommendations tailored to your situation. Smarter Way Wealth does not custody assets or execute trades, and its advisory fee does not rise automatically with your portfolio. Your broker, custodian, or investments may still charge separate transaction or product costs.

• Is there a contract?

  Yes. Clients sign a written advisory agreement that describes the services, responsibilities, and $100 monthly fee. Either you or Smarter Way Wealth may end the relationship with written notice.

  Fees are billed monthly in arrears. Fees earned through the termination date remain due, and any month in which services are provided is billed as a full month. There are no surrender charges or asset-transfer penalties.

• Do I have to move my assets?

  No. You select and maintain your own brokerage accounts, and your assets remain with the broker-dealer or custodian you choose. Smarter Way Wealth does not take custody of client funds or securities.

  The firm provides recommendations on a non-discretionary basis. You decide whether to act and place any trades through your own brokerage account.

• Are there any hidden fees?

  No. The $100/month flat fee is the only advisory fee Smarter Way Wealth charges. The firm does not charge asset-based, performance-based, commission, or wrap fees.

  You may still incur costs charged by third parties, such as ETF or mutual-fund expense ratios, brokerage or transaction costs, and fees associated with any alternative investment you choose. Those costs are separate from the Smarter Way Wealth advisory fee and depend on the investments and providers involved.

• Do you do estate planning or taxes?

  Tax and estate considerations are part of the financial-planning process. Smarter Way Wealth can help you think through issues such as tax-aware investing, retirement withdrawals, education planning, cash flow, and how estate goals affect your broader plan.

  The firm does not prepare tax returns or draft legal documents. When tax filing or legal work is needed, you should work with a qualified tax professional or attorney.

• What's the catch?

  There isn't a hidden advisory charge. The difference is the fee structure: an asset-based fee compounds as the portfolio grows, while Smarter Way Wealth charges a flat $100 monthly advisory fee. The fee calculator lets you compare hypothetical outcomes using assumptions you choose; actual results will vary.

  The trade-off is implementation. Smarter Way Wealth provides non-discretionary advice, so you decide whether to act and place any trades through your own brokerage account.

• Who manages the money?

  David Van Osdol, CFA, CFP®, personally provides the firm's planning and investment advice. Recommendations are tailored to your goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, tax considerations, and complete financial picture.

  Because the relationship is non-discretionary, you retain control of your accounts and make every final investment decision.

• Who makes trades?

  You do. Smarter Way Wealth provides investment guidance and recommendations but does not have authority to execute trades or place orders in client accounts.

  After David explains a recommendation and you decide to proceed, you implement it through your own broker-dealer or custodian.

• Are you qualified?

  Yes. David Van Osdol holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Practitioner, with 20+ years of experience in financial markets and advisory.

  See "What are your credentials?" for what each designation requires.

• What are your credentials?

  Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder — issued by the CFA Institute. Requires passing three sequential, multi-hour exams covering ethics, economics, financial reporting, equity and fixed-income analysis, derivatives, portfolio management, and wealth planning, plus a minimum of four years of qualified investment experience.

  Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Practitioner — issued by the CFP Board. Requires education, a comprehensive exam, experience, and adherence to a fiduciary code of ethics, focused on comprehensive financial planning across investments, taxes, insurance, retirement, and estate.

  Smarter Way Wealth, LLC is registered with the Connecticut Department of Banking. David has 20+ years of experience in financial markets and advisory.

• Do you use AI?

  Yes — extensively, on the operational side of the practice. AI tools handle administrative overhead, research synthesis, document drafting, compliance reporting, and portfolio-review preparation. This operational leverage is what makes the $100/month flat-fee model economically viable for a credentialed solo fiduciary.

  AI does not make investment decisions or replace fiduciary judgment. Every recommendation that reaches a client is reviewed and approved by David personally.

  See "How?" for specifics.

• How?

  On the operational side, AI can assist with work such as drafting, research synthesis, regulatory updates, and preparing review materials.

  On the client-work side, technology can help surface planning and portfolio considerations for David to evaluate. AI does not make investment decisions or send recommendations directly to clients. Every recommendation comes from David after he has reviewed the analysis and applied his professional judgment.

  The privacy policy explains how information is handled. You should not send sensitive financial information through ordinary website forms or email.

• Are you a roboadvisor?

  No. A roboadvisor is a fully automated asset allocator with minimal or no human contact — you fill out a questionnaire, the algorithm assigns a model portfolio, and you rarely if ever speak with a credentialed advisor.

  Smarter Way Wealth is the opposite: a credentialed human fiduciary (CFA, CFP®) using modern technology — including AI — to operate efficiently enough to charge a flat $100/month. You get a human advisor; the technology just makes that human a lot more leveraged.