Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about working with HAWA and how we can help you achieve your financial goals.

About HAWA & Our Approach

What are your qualifications and credentials?

We are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals, individually holding bachelor’s degrees in English and International Business. anny has also earned a master’s degree in financial planning and is a certified life coach. Together, we bring over five decades of collective experience in financial planning and wealth management.

What services do you offer?

We offer comprehensive financial planning and coaching, including retirement planning, investment management, estate planning, and tax strategies.

What is your investment philosophy?

Our investment philosophy is based on long-term, value-driven investment strategies designed to meet your specific financial goals. There are many ways you can invest for your future, but we believe that it doesn’t need to be rocket science. We love designing elegantly simple and effective portfolios.

Can you help with financial decisions outside of investments?

Absolutely! Our approach is holistic, and we are to support you with a wide range of financial decisions, including insurance recommendations, estate planning, retirement planning, and more. We aim to ensure all aspects of your financial life are well-coordinated and aligned with your overall goals. We like to say, if a topic touches any aspect of your life related to money it’s absolutely something we can discuss.

Are you a fiduciary?

Yes, as fiduciaries, we are obligated to act in your best interests at all times.

Who is your typical client?

Our typical clients are individuals and families who are looking to build wealth over time and need guidance on complex financial issues. Our clients have reached their “ceiling of complexity” as DIY investors and are now ready to delegate investment management to professionals.

Can you provide references from existing clients?

Yes, we can provide references from current clients who have similar financial situations to yours.

How do you stay current with financial laws, regulations, and industry best practices?

We stay updated on industry trends and regulations by regularly attending seminars, completing continuing education courses for our CFP certification, and reading industry journals and other relevant publications.

Working Together: What to Expect

What should I prepare before my first meeting with HAWA?

To make the most of your initial consultation, we recommend completing our Prospective Client Questionnaire in advance. Gathering relevant documents, such as recent pay stubs, investment and retirement account statements, tax returns, and details of any debts or major financial obligations, will help us get a clear picture of your financial situation and goals.

How will our relationship work?

We will have regular meetings (monthly, quarterly) to review your financial plan, and you can reach out to us anytime if you have questions or changes in your financial situation.

What is your approach to financial planning?

We adopt a holistic, goals-driven approach to financial planning, taking into account all aspects of your life to create a comprehensive financial plan that aligns with your values and adapts to your evolving needs.

How long does the financial planning process take?

The financial planning process typically takes four to six weeks from the initial consultation to the final plan delivery. This includes multiple meetings to assess your financial situation, discuss your goals, develop a strategy, and refine the plan as needed. The exact timeline depends on your unique circumstances and how quickly required information is provided.

What happens if I have a financial emergency?

If you have a financial emergency, you can contact us directly, and we can discuss how to adjust your financial plan to accommodate your needs. Every situation is unique, but you will have our support so that you don’t have to go through it alone. If your situation requires a distribution from your portfolio, we will walk you through the rebalancing options and explain what, if any, taxes you can anticipate.

What if I want to change my financial goals?

Your financial plan is flexible, and we can adjust it as your life changes and new goals emerge. Seldom do plans ever go exactly as planned. However, we know that the financial planning process gives clients confidence that they’ll be able to handle whatever’s up next.

How will I receive updates from you?

You will receive regular communication via phone calls, emails, newsletters, and our face-to-face or virtual meetings. Additionally, you can access your financial data through your online client portal 24/7.

What personal finance software do you use?

We use MoneyGuidePro, Orion Advisor, Morningstar, and Quicken, to name a few. We believe in leveraging the best technology available to help us to make comprehensive and tailored recommendations.

How do you help clients with debt management?

We believe in proactive debt management strategies that prioritize high-interest debts while maintaining enough liquidity for your needs. Sometimes this means coaching clients to become comfortable with having some amount of “good” debt like a mortgage or student loans.

Investments & Financial Planning

What type of investments do you typically recommend?

We recommend a broadly diversified portfolio that aligns with your risk tolerance and financial goals. Our portfolios typically include publicly traded ETFs, Mutual funds, stocks, and bonds. In complex cases, we will use highly customizable SMAs.

How will you choose investments for me?

We select investments based on an analysis of your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance, using thorough research and industry-leading tools.

How often do you review the investment portfolio?

We review portfolios quarterly and make adjustments as needed based on economic conditions and your changing financial goals.

Can you assist with estate planning?

Yes, we collaborate well with estate planning attorneys to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes and that your family’s needs are taken care of. We also suggest strategies to reduce taxation of any generational wealth transfers that you can discuss with your estate planning attorney.

What are your strategies for retirement planning?

We develop personalized retirement strategies that take into account your expected retirement age, lifestyle, and sources of income. We also consider what your ’second act’ could entail, recognizing that retirement involves more than just ensuring you don’t run out of money.

How do you measure success in a client’s portfolio?

We measure success by how well your portfolio is performing in relation to your income goals. Clients receive a customized investor policy statement that specifically names the benchmark indexes we will use to measure a portfolio’s performance.

What is your preference for using low-cost, diversified funds vs. higher-priced funds?

We prefer using low-cost, diversified funds, as much as possible (such as index funds and ETFs) because they offer broad market exposure with minimal fees, which can significantly enhance long-term returns. However, there may be instances where higher-priced funds are appropriate if they provide unique advantages or align with specific investment strategies. Our goal is to balance cost and performance to best meet your financial objectives.

How can you help me save for a large purchase?

We will create a savings strategy that factors in your time horizon and risk tolerance to help you save for a home, car, or other large purchases.

What is the most common financial mistake clients make?

A common mistake is not investing early due to fear of market volatility. We educate our clients to become comfortable with and to expect some volatility. We also emphasize the benefits of long-term investing, diversification, compounding, and the importance of a customized and systematic savings program.

Fees & Compensation

How do you get compensated?

We work on a fee-only basis, which means we only get compensated through the fees our clients pay and not through commissions from selling products. In most cases, our fee is calculated based on the liquid assets that we manage for you in your brokerage. See our Firm Brochure for more details.

Do you ever receive commissions for investment recommendations?

No, we are a fee-only firm, meaning we do not accept commissions, referral fees, or incentives from third parties. Our sole compensation comes directly from our clients, ensuring our advice is always unbiased and in your best interest.

How do you handle conflicts of interest?

As fee-only planners, we minimize conflicts of interest by not accepting any commissions for recommending specific products. None of the investments we pick for you pay us commissions. We do not sell life or disability insurance products.

Tax & Financial Strategy Support

Do you have experience with tax issues?

Yes, we are knowledgeable about strategies to optimize a portfolio’s management to reduce any tax consequences. We believe that the best overall tax outcomes occur when we can work collaboratively with your tax professional. And if you don’t already have one, we’ll get you set up with one.

How do you help reduce my tax liability?

Managing tax liability is an integral part of our financial planning process. We focus on tax-efficient investment strategies, such as:

Utilizing tax-advantaged accounts (e.g., IRAs, 401(k)s): Saving in tax-advantaged accounts is important because it allows your investments to grow tax-deferred or tax-free, maximizing your long-term savings and reducing your overall tax burden.

Implementing tax-loss harvesting to offset gains: Tax-loss harvesting is a strategy where you sell investments at a loss to offset taxable gains, reducing your overall tax liability.

Timing sales of trades: Considering the tax implications of all investment decisions, including the timing of sales and distributions. Long-term capital gains are profits from the sale of assets held for more than a year and are taxed at lower rates, while short-term capital gains are profits from the sale of assets held for a year or less and are taxed as ordinary income.

Customizing a charitable giving strategy: In some cases we prioritize qualified charitable distributions from an IRA as a strategy to meet required minimum distributions. We also use any highly appreciated shares in taxable accounts and donate shares in-kind which prevent a realization of a capital gain for the client and the qualified 501(c)3 organization. The client can then itemize a portion of the gift as a charitable deduction on their Schedule A.

Close collaboration with your tax advisor: We find that when we have an intentionally coordinated approach with your tax preparer, it leads to best outcomes.

Still Have Questions? We’d Love to Hear From You!

Whether you’re ready to take the next step or just want to learn more, we’re here to help. Reach out to schedule a consultation or get answers to any lingering questions.

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