Monterey Associates Financial Planning & Education

The firm provides personalized, fiduciary financial planning and education to individuals, couples, nonprofits, and small business owners, covering topics such as cash flow, retirement, tax planning, debt management and college funding. Services are delivered on a fee-only basis through fixed-fee engagements (initial reviews and comprehensive plans) and hourly engagements for ongoing work.

Investment guidance favors low-cost, passive vehicles (index funds and ETFs), a diversified buy-and-hold allocation, and tax-aware periodic rebalancing, with low-cost active funds used only in specific situations. The firm does not provide portfolio management or custody of client assets; clients retain final decision-making and are responsible for implementing recommendations, though implementation assistance is available at the firm’s hourly rate.

Noteworthy features include regular educational outreach—periodic publications/newsletters and seminars or workshops—and an ongoing role in nonprofit financial literacy efforts led by the firm’s principal. Unlike most independent solo advisors, the firm explicitly avoids percentage-of-AUM fee arrangements, does not accept commissions or referral fees, and offers a focused two-hour self‑employed planning engagement as a standard service.