> I got my start in money the strange way. I was a bank teller at 15 in Spring Hill, Kansas, and I'm told the age requirement went up after me. > Since then: eight years at Fidelity learning how big firms care for clients, a wealth management chapter, a CFO seat at a startup. And in 2025 I went advice-only, because I kept meeting families who'd been offered plenty of products and percentages, when all they really wanted was someone on their side of the table to hand them the plan. > That's what advice-only means. You pay one flat fee for advice. I don't sell products, I don't take a percentage of your money, and nothing I recommend pays me a commission. The advice is the whole business. > I work with couples and families like my own, people who love what they do and want to know their family is taken care of. We map the whole picture, cash flow, investments, taxes, protection, and you leave with a plan you actually understand and own. > Away from the desk I'm a husband and a dad of three. Whatever time is left goes to guitar, piano, and singing and a long audiobook queue. > If you've been wanting real advice without wondering who's earning what off the recommendation, message me here. That's the easiest way to start!

Thanks for checking out my profile! Here's a little about me: I'm happily married to the love of my life who somehow hasn't realized how far out of my league she is (so please don't tell her). When not working, I’m probably chasing after our two amazing kids who keep life loud and full in the best ways, or experimenting with new vegan curry recipes, or injuring myself trying to get back into a workout routine since I refuse to accept that I’m no longer a 20-something Marine. I'm often asked how I got into financial planning. After the military, I headed to San Diego State University not knowing what my next steps would be, but knowing that I 1) wanted to do meaningful work that could genuinely help people, 2) had a strong interest in finance, and 3) was compelled to continue my lifelong string of side projects and small businesses I kept finding myself in. Smashing those together led to becoming a CFP® and founding Next Gen Financial Planning to serve clients often overlooked by our profession, giving me the chance to help hundreds of people navigate their financial and life journeys. Along the way, I did my best to learn from every financial planner in San Diego or elsewhere who would answer my calls or emails. Jim taught me the importance of truly listening to clients before offering solutions. Michael showed me how to think like a business owner, not just an advisor. Nancy taught me that sales can be ethical and fun. Taylor showed me the power of community and supporting each other as we grow. I'm deeply grateful to them, and to the many others who helped me get here. Next Gen grew up to be bigger than just me, and I passed the torch over to the team in 2024. Now I'm excited to set my sights on a new mission with AdviceOnly because it's time for change, not just for me but in how our profession treats both financial advisors and the clients we serve. I’m building a new model to help advisors focus on giving advice, not sales pitches. Too many are overwhelmed by compliance/tech/admin, or feel lonely, or pressured to put the firm's financial performance over their sense of what’s right. Quick note: I'm not currently taking on new ongoing financial planning clients while focusing on building the AdviceOnly platform to support other advisors, so please consider checking out www.adviceonly.com or another credible place. I do still take on an occasional small hourly projects.

Grant Knox has been a Financial Advisor since 1994 and holds the following registrations and licenses: General Securities, California Life and Health Insurance, and California Real Estate and Mortgage Lending. A Southern California native, Grant excels at strategies for financial health and wealth that are attainable and effective. He is passionate about helping others achieve financial success and exceed their goals. He is a certified Kingdom Advisor, able to offer counsel on the integration of a Biblical worldview into financial practices. He holds the Certified Plan Fiduciary Designation (CPFA), designating expertise in company retirement plans. He holds a Bachelors degree from Evangel University and a D.Min. from Summit Bible College. Grant lives in La Mesa with his wife, Nicole and their son Noah. He loves to travel, active in his church, is a voracious reader and an avid soccer fan, having played on and managed recreational soccer teams for over 30 years.

Scott Smith is the sole advisor at Conscious Investment Services, LLC in San Diego, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 28 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial from 2011 to 2018 before founding his current independent advisory firm in 2018. Smith is also a licensed insurance agent. Conscious Investment Services, LLC serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and other advisers. The firm provides non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, pension consulting, and participant account management using a third-party platform, applying a combination of fundamental analysis, modern portfolio theory, and technical strategies across various time horizons.

Steven Friedman is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 63 license with 14 years of industry experience. He has been with Kalo Capital Management, LLC since 2011, where he also serves as Portfolio Manager for affiliated hedge funds. Additionally, he has a minority ownership interest in ABF Enterprises, Inc., and serves as Portfolio Manager for Potomac Partners, LP, a family fund of funds hedge fund. Kalo Capital Management provides discretionary investment management and advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, family offices, hedge funds, and institutional clients. The firm focuses on an emerging-growth equity strategy centered on North American companies and employs fundamental and technical analysis, including derivatives and leverage when appropriate.

Gabriel Kadmiri is an independent financial advisor at Green Harvest Capital Management with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has operated a screen printing business and a dog walking service alongside his advisory work. Green Harvest provides portfolio management and fee-based financial planning primarily to individual investors, with occasional services for small businesses and non-profits. The firm combines fundamental and technical analysis, utilizing both passive fixed-income and index strategies as well as active investment approaches tailored to client objectives.

Lee Tobey is a financial advisor at Hedgewise with 11 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 65 designation and has been with Hedgewise since 2014. The firm serves individual and institutional clients, offering discretionary portfolio management and developing pooled investment products through a managed-account structure. Hedgewise employs a systematic, research-driven investment process that combines quantitative and fundamental techniques, using ETFs, ETNs, options, and futures with automated rebalancing and tax optimization.

Kyle Tweet is a financial advisor with Tweet Management Services, Inc. in La Mesa, CA. He holds the ChFC® designation and Series 66 license, and has 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Tweet Management Services since 2011. Tweet Management Services is a small registered investment adviser serving individuals, families—including some high-net-worth clients—as well as businesses, charities, and small pension plans. The firm provides comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management using a non-discretionary approach that combines fundamental and technical analysis.

Arden Chan is a financial advisor at Chan, Arden with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and concurrently serves in the United States Navy, a role he has maintained since 1993. His background also includes a medical degree. Chan, Arden is an independent firm that provides investment advisory services primarily to institutional clients such as banking and thrift institutions, sovereign wealth funds, government entities, and charitable organizations. The firm focuses on serving institutional and governmental accounts and employs fee arrangements that do not rely on assets under management.

Rajiv Rebello is the president and chief actuary of Colva Capital LLC in San Diego, CA, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses with six years of industry experience. He has held leadership roles at Colva Insurance Services and Colva Actuarial Services, where he provides actuarial consulting and insurance services. Rebello also serves as an independent insurance agent and leads financial planning activities. Colva Capital serves high-net-worth individuals and entities by offering discretionary portfolio management along with financial, tax-efficient, and estate-planning advice. The firm uses a tailored investment approach based on client risk profiles and manages portfolios that may include traditional securities, private placements, hedge funds, and affiliated funds.

David Thomas is a financial advisor based in San Diego, CA, operating as the sole advisor at David Thomas, CPA, Esq., PC. He holds a Series 65 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked at Gradient Capital Advisors, LLC and managed his own sole proprietorship. Outside of advisory work, he runs a small tax and estate planning practice with several employees, which does not engage in investment advisory services. David Thomas, CPA, Esq., PC provides discretionary and non-discretionary asset management along with financial planning and consultation services to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm combines investment management with an affiliated tax, legal, and accounting practice, utilizing fundamental and cyclical analysis to inform investment decisions.

Christopher Russell is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Tempus Pecunia since 2019. His prior work includes roles at GreenGrowth CPAs and Pure Financial Advisors, Inc. In addition to his advisory work, he serves as President of 1789 West, a business consulting firm for small and midsize companies. Tempus Pecunia is an independent, state-registered advisory firm managing approximately $24.3 million for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm provides personalized investment management primarily through passive strategies, along with comprehensive financial planning and employee benefit plan consulting services.

Avelino Cortina III is the sole advisor at AC3 Capital, an independent firm based in La Jolla, CA. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has 30 years of industry experience. Cortina has led AC3 Capital since 2011. AC3 Capital provides wrap asset management and standalone financial planning primarily to high-net-worth individuals, as well as trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm operates mainly on a non-discretionary basis, using a combination of technical, cyclical, and fundamental analysis to tailor portfolios according to client objectives.

Jay Liao is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 66 license, with 15 years of experience in the financial industry. He has been the principal advisor at Mandala Wealth Management, LLC since 2016 and previously worked at Portfolio Monkey from 2008 to 2017. Based in San Diego, CA, he leads the firm as its sole advisor. Mandala Wealth Management provides comprehensive portfolio management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and other business entities. The firm employs a range of investment strategies including fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis, and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary management across various asset classes, with regular portfolio reviews and rebalancing.

Barbara Norman is a CFP® professional with 26 years of industry experience, operating independently through her firm Sage Path Solutions in San Diego, CA. Her prior work includes managing her own sole proprietorship and operating under various business names related to Sage Path Solutions since 2014. She serves on the Scripps Hospital Gift Planning Advisory Council as a volunteer. Sage Path Solutions provides discretionary asset management and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, charting, and cyclical analysis to tailor investment programs under discretionary authority, with ongoing portfolio management and periodic reviews including rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting.

Bradley Gilbert is a financial advisor with Thrive Portfolios in San Diego, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing six years of industry experience. He has worked at multiple firms including Impact Investors and Cresta Advisors, and currently owns Delta Companies, LLC, where he provides consulting services related to property management. Thrive Portfolios serves individual investors and other registered investment advisers with discretionary asset management, financial planning, and consulting services. The firm combines boutique scale with institutional-style work, acting as a sub-advisor to other RIAs while offering educational content and public seminars.

Siva Kumar is the sole advisor at Serene Growth Partners LLC in San Diego, CA. He holds a Series 65 designation and has 10 years of industry experience. Kumar is also the managing member of Zen Trading LLC, an investment-related business where he provides portfolio management services. Serene Growth Partners is an independent investment adviser serving high-net-worth individuals with discretionary asset management and ongoing portfolio supervision. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and charting analysis across long- and short-term strategies, and offers several alternative fee structures including performance-based fees for qualified clients.

Jonathan Luskin is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience and is the principal of Luskin Financial Planning, an independent advisory firm based in San Diego, CA. His prior roles include positions at Ferri Investment Solutions, Define Financial, LLC, and Advanced Practice Advisors, LLC. He is also the owner of an investment-related online blog and engages in financial writing and consulting. Luskin Financial Planning provides advice-only financial planning services to individuals, families, family offices, retirement plan sponsors, trustees, nonprofit organizations, and other advisers. The firm employs a passive, index-focused investment approach using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, and offers fixed-fee or hourly services without managing client assets or exercising investment discretion.

Michael Hood is a financial advisor with Hood Financial, LLC in San Diego, CA, holding the ChFC® designation and a Series 65 license. He has 11 years of industry experience, including roles at ARS Investment Advisors, Inc. and Allegis Investment Advisors, LLC. Hood also spends a significant portion of his time as a licensed insurance agent. Hood Financial serves individual and high-net-worth clients by providing discretionary investment management and comprehensive financial planning through its "Complete Sherpa Experience" platform. The firm employs a primarily passive investment strategy using diversified, asset-class-weighted portfolios with index mutual funds and ETFs, and incorporates portfolio audits, risk scoring, and periodic reviews into its process.

Thomas Murphy is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 30 years of industry experience. He has operated T.M. Murphy Investment Management, Inc. since 1992 in San Diego, CA. T.M. Murphy Investment Management provides discretionary portfolio management primarily for individual investors and some small-company retirement plans, managing approximately $33.3 million across 143 accounts. The firm focuses on no-load mutual funds and diversified portfolios tailored to clients’ asset-allocation goals and risk tolerances, with selective use of individual stocks or ETFs, and offers optional hourly financial planning services.