• What is a fiduciary?

    A fiduciary has the highest level of ethical obligation to put your interests ahead of their compensation and any other considerations. All our advisors are fiduciaries, and acting in that capacity is fundamental to our values.

  • Who is your typical client?

    Our client base varies from young professionals to families to retirees. Each of our advisors has their own special skillset within this range. Our clients are business owners, engineers, teachers, nurses, and more. What unites our clients is a common belief that money is not an end in itself; it’s a means to living a fulfilling life. Our clients value family, giving, and work they believe in. They could manage their own money but choose to delegate that responsibility to us to allow them to spend their time on their talents and passions. 

  • What is your investment philosophy?

    We believe in the power of diversification and investing for the long-term. We want to come alongside our clients, illuminating potential pitfalls and fitting them to an investment strategy that meets their needs. Our goal is not to help clients “get rich quick” or sell them on a hot new investment, but to partner with them to create a sustainable, long-term portfolio that will help them achieve their goals. This process is not a one-meeting engagement, but a partnership designed to curate a portfolio that continues to evolve as life changes.

  • Do I have to come into your office?

    No, you do not! While we're happy to meet in our office, we use Zoom to enable us to simultaneously video call and share screens no matter where we each are located. Additionally, we’d be happy to meet over coffee near you if you’re in the greater Seattle region.

  • Do I have to pay for the first meeting?

    No. We believe in the importance of meeting initially without the pressure of any obligations. We want to provide a relaxed visit that allows us to get know each other and determine if we’d be a good fit together. We’ll answer your questions (so be sure to bring some!) and explain the financial planning process with Sage Advisors. Even if we don’t end up working together right away, we hope you’ll consider us in the future.

  • What are the CFA®, CFP®, and ChFC® certifications?

    Most consumers consider all financial planners to be certified, but this isn’t the case. Anyone can call themselves a “financial planner,” but, to use the CFA®, CFP®, and ChFC® marks, we had to fulfill rigorous certification requirements and have to maintain high standards in competence, ethics, and professionalism through continuing education.

    To learn more about the CFA® certification, click here. You can learn more about the CFP® certification at the CFP Board’s website and more about the ChFC® designation here.

  • How do you get paid?

    We get paid by you. For our advisory clients, we are typically compensated on a fee-basis. This aligns our interests with yours. Most of these clients pay an advisory fee on the assets Sage Advisors manages. For the periodic client that wants ongoing advice but prefers to manage their own money, we find a mutually acceptable, ongoing planning fee.

    There are a select few products from which we do receive commissions when we implement them with you. These include insurance products and some annuities. We value transparency and will explain to you the costs of these products and how we get paid on them when they apply to your individual circumstances.

  • I need help getting out of debt, can you help me?

    Yes. This is one of many areas in which we can help you develop a strategy to achieve your goals. However, we are not a credit counseling or debt relief service; we work with you on debt repayment within the context of your overall financial plan.

  • I’d like to learn more, what’s the next step?

    At the bottom of the page is a button that says “Come Meet Us.” You can use that link to set up an initial visit with Russ, Jordan, Michaela, or Michael. You can choose whoever you think would be a good fit for you, and we'll help guide you if, after meeting you, we believe a different advisor than you initially chose would be better suited.