3FG FAQs
Let’s Bring Clarity to the Details
Financial and legal planning can bring up a lot of questions — especially when your life, career, or family structure doesn’t fit a simple template. These FAQs highlight the topics we’re asked about most, from managing complex income to navigating planning as a woman or LGBTQ+ professional.
What should inclusive financial planning feel like?
Inclusive financial planning should feel like a conversation, not a presentation. Does your financial advisor spend more time listening to you or talking? Do you feel the freedom to discuss what’s worrying you, or ask for clarification? Your advisor should know your short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals, the unique challenges YOU face, and be an active participant in helping you overcome them.
How can a financial advisor help me feel more confident with money?
Imposter syndrome and self-doubt can show up no matter how savvy you are. We help you build a solid base through financial education and a lot of conversations about what matters to you. We’ll talk you through each step and help you make confident financial decisions shaped by sound data and your life goals.
How can I find a financial advisor who makes me feel heard and respected?
Look for a fiduciary advisor who takes time to understand your values, your lived experience, and what money represents in your life (especially if you’ve felt dismissed or talked over in the past). A good advisor will explain options clearly, invite your questions, and collaborate with you rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all plan. When in doubt, check to see what type of questions they ask during their onboarding or discovery process.
How can I simplify my complex compensation and equity income?
When your paycheck isn’t straightforward, you need a financial coach who shoots straight and can help keep your big picture in focus. Partner with someone who can help you understand the difference between base salary, bonuses, RSUs, and all the other acronyms that may be in your contract. They should help you get strategic about how each piece of your income is taxed, so you can plan strategically. And when it’s time to re-negotiate your pay, they should be able to offer relevant guidance.
What’s the best way for busy professionals to manage multiple income sources?
Educate, prioritize, and automate. Know what you’re working with as far as regularity, taxation, etc. Work with an advisor to identify and prioritize your financial goals, and then automate contributions and transfers. Annual reviews are a great way to make sure everything is still working cohesively.
How can I simplify my financial life and reduce decision fatigue?
Let’s just agree that you have enough on your plate already! Simplifying your finances is a bit like cleaning out a closet–you know, the one you’re afraid to open. It may get messier before it gets better, but we’ll work through it together. Once we create a framework for your priorities and values, and we put your full financial picture in focus, it gets much easier to know what to say yes to and what to skip. Automating things like retirement contributions can also reduce the mental load of knowing when it’s a “good” time to buy in.
What does working with a fiduciary mean for women investors?
A fiduciary advisor is someone who has legally committed to acting in your best interest. That means they must disclose any conflicts of interest. If they’re a fee-only advisor (like we are), that means they don’t make commissions on any recommended products. In short, it means no sales pitches, no hidden costs or ulterior motives, and you’ll never get the same feeling as when you take your car to a mechanic and have to figure out if you’re getting scammed.
How can LGBTQ+ families build wealth confidently and securely?
LGBTQ+ families can have unique estate-planning needs, particularly when it comes to decision-making authority and legal recognition of family relationships. Planning focuses on ensuring the people you trust can speak for you, care for your children, and carry out your wishes—regardless of marital status or biological ties.
How does estate planning differ for LGBTQ+ families in Hawai’i?
LGBTQ+ families have some unique estate-planning needs. Two major considerations are making sure you and your partner can make decisions for one another even if you aren’t married, and ensuring parental rights for non-biological children. Having the right pieces in place, like a Healthcare POA, HIPAA Authorization, Durable Financial POA, and a living trust, can help.
How can I protect my family’s financial future if something happens to me?
A good financial plan should focus just as much on the curveballs; that’s where estate planning comes into play. For clients living in Hawai’i, we can help you make a plan to provide for your loved ones even when you’re no longer able to. We’ll work to uncover what a meaningful legacy looks like to you, plan to adapt to the unpredictable, and help your wealth accomplish your goals with as few taxes as possible.
How can a financial advisor help me make decisions faster and feel in control?
Sometimes, even with all of the pieces in front of you, things can still feel murky and overwhelming. A good financial advisor doesn’t take the reins in uncertainty–they help you feel confident in your ability to steer. Whether you just need someone to talk it out with or you need help laying the groundwork for a streamlined decision-making process, we’re here.
How can I make confident financial decisions without spending hours on them?
It’s the dreaded analysis paralysis! Overcoming this energy drain is as simple as putting the right systems in place so your finances can keep moving forward without your constant attention. Stuck on whether to put extra cash toward your mortgage principle or your retirement account? We’ll help you take a step back and get strategic so you can work toward multiple goals without getting lost in the details.
How can I save time in financial planning without losing control of my goals?
Convenience doesn’t have to mean sacrificing intentionality. Busy, professional women need the freedom to be active participants in their financial decisions without the obligation of managing every detail themselves. We handle the complexity behind the scenes while keeping you informed, empowered, and connected to your underlying goals. You get to maintain control and confidence without adding another full-time job to your life.
Understanding the 3FG Approach
Every client brings a unique story. Our integrated process is built to understand it, organize it, and guide you through financial and legal planning with strength, flexibility, and a clear sense of direction. Learn what that experience looks like from start to finish.