Question 1

Are you a fiduciary?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ruda Financial is a fiduciary, which means I am legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interest at all times. I do not sell financial products or accept commissions or referral fees.

Question 2

What makes you different from other financial advisors?

Accepted Answer

Unlike many advisors who focus primarily on investments, I take an integrated approach that starts with tax planning. Drawing on my experience as an IRS economist, I help clients make decisions that minimize lifetime taxes while aligning their investments, retirement planning, and financial strategy. I'm also fee-only, meaning I don't earn commissions or sell products.

Question 3

What services do you offer?

Accepted Answer

I offer two main services: ongoing financial planning and investment management starting at $6,500 per year, or project-based planning for $2,500. Both focus on tax-efficient strategies for professionals and business owners in the DC area.

Question 4

What types of clients do you serve?

Accepted Answer

I work with professionals and business owners in Silver Spring, Bethesda, and throughout the Washington DC metro area. Typical clients include high-income professionals navigating complex tax situations, business owners planning for retirement, and pre-retirees optimizing their strategies before RMDs begin. There are no asset minimums - what matters most is that we're a good fit in terms of goals, values, and approach.

Question 5

Do you work with clients outside Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. While I'm based in Silver Spring, MD, and many of my clients are in the Washington, DC area, I work virtually with clients across the country.

Question 6

What is your investment philosophy?

Accepted Answer

I focus on what you can control: costs, taxes, diversification, and discipline. I build portfolios using low-cost index funds and ETFs from Vanguard, Schwab, and Fidelity. Tax efficiency is central to my approach - minimizing the tax drag on your returns over time.

Question 7

Who will hold custody of my assets?

Accepted Answer

Your assets are always held in your name at a third-party custodian. I recommend that my investment management clients custody at Charles Schwab & Co., an independent, SEC-registered broker-dealer with whom Ruda Financial is unaffiliated.

Question 8

What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

For ongoing financial planning and investment management, there is a flat quarterly fee that starts at $1,650, which equals $6,500 per year. For project-based financial planning, there is a one-time fee of $2,500.

Question 9

What are the ongoing costs beyond your fees?

Accepted Answer

All mutual funds, even low-cost index funds, have a small yearly fee called an expense ratio. In the portfolios I typically recommend, these expenses are very low, usually under 0.05% per year, or $500 per $1 million invested.

Question 10

Can I cancel or pause services if needed?

Accepted Answer

For project-based planning, there's no ongoing commitment. For ongoing clients, services are billed quarterly with 30 days' notice required for termination. There are no long-term contracts or penalties for ending the relationship.

Question 11

Do you offer a free initial consultation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I offer a complimentary introductory call to learn more about your goals and see if we're a good fit.

Question 12

How often, and how, will we meet?

Accepted Answer

We'll meet regularly throughout the year, especially during the first year when we'll develop your financial plan over a series of structured meetings. In subsequent years, we typically have quarterly in-depth check-ins, plus additional meetings as needed. Most clients prefer virtual meetings for convenience and flexibility, but I'm also happy to meet in person in Maryland, Washington, DC, or Northern Virginia.

Question 13

What if I already have a financial advisor?

Accepted Answer

Some clients come to me for a second opinion or project-based planning on a specific decision. Others transition to working with me ongoing after comparing our approaches. I'm happy to discuss your current advisory relationship and help you determine whether a change makes sense for you.

About Alex Ruda

A Fee-Only, Fiduciary Approach to Financial Planning

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Alex Ruda

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