Moving to a new place is scary enough when you consider leaving everything you're familiar with…read morebehind. When you know your rent will double (if not triple!) and other things get more expensive, it makes the situation even more stressful. Before making any major decisions, I figured it best to have someone take a look at my finances. Wendy and i have known each other socially for a few years now and I knew she did something with money, stocks and helping people make more money. That's about it. Don't get me wrong, either, I don't have extra money to be putting into stocks right now. I just wanted someone who doesn't count on his/her fingers (like me!) to make sure that my updated budget seemed reasonable. She was kind enough to meet up with me over coffee and talk through my concerns about "movin' on up" to a bigger city. She busted out her financial calculator and went through all of the expected expenses and even suggested that I start saving more money as a "cash cushion" in case there were any unexpected emergencies far, far away from anyone I know. She also told me that I won't be allowed to buy clothes for awhile, but somehow I just can't stick to that rule. Guess that means I'll be eating hot dogs at home on Friday nights for awhile, huh? :) Really, it's not any financial planner's "job" to go through some sad-looking Excel spreadsheets and help you do basic math to figure out how much rent you'll be able to afford. But it was very kind of Wendy to do so and I appreciate the reassurance that everything is going to be OK. If you do have extra money to invest and want to work with someone who's savvy and trustworthy, give her a call! She'll gladly help you out!

Andrew Weltz and his team at Charles Schwab are outstanding financial advisors. They advise, help…read moreset goals, and watch closely your investments. Communication and quarterly reports along with their mobile App make this firm outstanding. You get the same or better service from Charles Schwab than any other advisor service out there.

From the owner: Chuck Schwab started a stock brokerage company with a simple question: isn't there a better way?…read moreThat question led to the establishment of a new kind of investment firm - with a more contemporary approach to wealth management based on a set of core values and beliefs, not just profits and losses. These core beliefs have led to 40+ years of serving clients, innovating on their behalf, and developing brokerage products and financial services that put them - not us - first. At Schwab, we offer a wide range of wealth management services, personalized financial advising and retirement planning, and expert investment research, as well as a number of complimentary workshops covering everything from investing essentials to complex trading strategies. Brokerage Products: Not FDIC Insured - No Bank Guarantee - May Lose Value

Don't use Charles Schwab stock investing, I have margin account and had a margin call, Schwab…read morenotified me by mail about the margin call which arrived three days after they sold my stock shares. I had money in my bank account to cover the margin call. These people are half wits. There is a message system they could use which is what TD Ameritrade used before Schwab bought them out. Boycott Charles Schwab.

I am compelled to write this company is phenomenal. They are caring, intelligent, and work well…read morewith their clients. Trustworthy and supporting.

So unprofessional over the phone. Take the gum or candy out of your mouth before talking to clients…read moreplease. I'll try again later. Maybe the girl will be done with her lunch by then.

I would like to recommend Bill as a knowledgeable, caring and price conscious insurance specialist…read morewho helped our family as well as many of our friends to determine the best insurance plans for their needs.

I found out about Alternative Benefits from my neighbors who have known Bill since he was in middle…read moreschool, and in the process I discovered that he is the go-to insurance man for almost everyone I know. When you go out in public with Bill to eat it usually takes over an hour for him to be able to leave, again, because he seems to know everyone everywhere we may happen to go. It all comes down to knowing the market and what choices are available, which in my experience most others do not present to their clients in such clear and concise ways to help us to make the best possible choices. Bill is not only my insurance specialist, he is my friend and I could not give a stronger recommendation.