What We Do

Comprehensive planning for every piece of your financial life.

We take a holistic view of your situation, tying every piece together into a cohesive, living plan.

It's not what you earn. It's what you keep.

We emphasize tax planning as a core part of every client relationship. With deep knowledge of the tax code and a forward-looking approach to your specific situation, we help you keep more of what you earn, not just this year but over your lifetime.

  • Year-round tax projections and proactive planning
  • Roth conversion strategy and timing
  • Tax-loss and capital gain harvesting
  • Estimated tax payment planning
  • Tax-efficient distribution strategies in retirement
  • Planning around Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) thresholds
  • Coordination with your CPA or tax preparer

Low-cost, tax-efficient investing with a long-term perspective.

We focus on evidence-based, low-cost, tax-efficient investments. No market timing. No black-box products. No conflicts of interest. Just a thoughtful, transparent approach to building a portfolio aligned to your goals and timeline.

  • Evidence-based, broadly diversified, index-focused investing
  • Portfolio construction aligned to your goals and risk tolerance
  • Investment accounts custodied at Schwab
  • Tax-efficient asset location across account types
  • Advisory guidance for outside accounts (employer plans, etc.)
  • Portfolio review and rebalancing

Retirement is a complex puzzle.

Retirement today means coordinating a mix of accounts, income sources, Social Security timing, Medicare, and tax strategy, all while making sure your money lasts as long as you do. We help you solve that puzzle with a plan that's sustainable.

  • Retirement income distribution strategy (which accounts to draw from, and when)
  • Social Security timing analysis
  • Pension and cash flow integration
  • Medicare planning and enrollment
  • Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) management

The foundation of every good financial plan.

Before you can invest wisely, save strategically, or plan for retirement, you need to understand your cash flow. We help you build clarity around what's coming in, what's going out, and how to align your spending with what you actually want your financial life to look like.

  • Ongoing cash flow analysis and modeling
  • Spending and savings alignment with your goals
  • Debt management guidance and payoff strategy
  • Emergency fund planning
  • Savings rate optimization

Protecting your loved ones, wishes, and legacy.

We work hand in hand with you and your attorney to ensure the documents you put in place are put in action.

  • Minimize stress and confusion during difficult times
  • Guide beneficiary designations, account titling, and asset alignment
  • Regularly review your estate plan as your life, family, and finances evolve, taking into consideration the ever-changing laws

Insurance Planning

Protection from life's unexpected expenses, from property and casualty to life and disability. We ensure you have adequate coverage for all your areas of need.

  • Property & Casualty — auto, home, and umbrella
  • Ensuring you're maximizing any employer provided coverages
  • Supplementing coverages with privately purchased policies where needed
  • Evaluating costs to make sure you aren't overpaying

Our Fees

Retainer Overview

All of our clients work with us under an ongoing retainer relationship. A single monthly fee that covers comprehensive financial planning, regular reviews, and standing access whenever something comes up.

What the retainer includes

Every Belle Trace engagement is governed by a formal retainer agreement: we provide financial advice on any matter, at any time, in exchange for a flat monthly fee. That includes periodic reviews (in person or remotely), implementation help across every recommendation we make, and standing access for new questions or decisions as they come up.

Why a flat fee instead of AUM?

Most fee-only advisors charge an annual percentage of the assets under management (AUM) for you. We don't. Tying our fee to your portfolio size means it jumps when markets go up, even when our workload hasn't changed. If your assets grow 20% next year, your fee doesn't grow 20% with them. The retainer is a flat dollar amount, reviewed as warranted.

How your fee is determined

Every engagement begins with a complimentary, no-obligation introductory meeting where we talk through your current financial situation in detail. From there, we use a checklist of complexity factors (asset levels, household income, account structures, planning needs) to set a flat monthly fee tailored to your situation.

Quick facts

  • Minimum fee: $500/month ($6,000/year)
  • Asset minimums: None
  • Cancellation: Either party may cancel the retainer at any time with written notice. No long-term commitment.
  • Payment: Assessed at the start of each month, same amount monthly. Can be paid from taxable investment accounts, retirement accounts (where permissible), or by credit card.
  • Renewal: The retainer agreement automatically renews annually. Fees are reviewed periodically for changes in complexity, assets, or income as needed.
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