FAQ
Answers to Common Questions: Your Guide to Clarity
Why is Arena Investor an “online advisory”?
It's the 21st century. It's time for modern financial planning and investing to serve Clients well, with elegant integrations and industry-leading apps. The Advisory was built on a key principle, one which we couldn't find elsewhere -- so we built Arena Investor:
You don't need a mahogany office and a lecture. You need wise investments and a coffee.
Today's professionals are busy, so we offer recorded financial planning and investment reviews delivered directly to your inbox. Now you can enjoy them on your time instead of being forced to meet in-person.
And when today's professionals do have free time they want the work-life balance a professional teammate can offer. Arena Investor is that professional teammate. We truly believe that you're the hero of your financial journey, and we're the guide.
General
Why Fee-Only and no commissions?
Fee Only is the future of financial advising in our opinion. We don’t want to be involved in earning commissions anyway. Why? We feel it can create conflicts of interest.
An example of how commissions are earned is: Company X creates an investment product (perhaps a mutual fund), then pays advisors when they sell that fund to Clients. So that advisor got paid by both the mutual fund company and the Client . We only get paid by you, the Client, so we are never thinking about putting someone into a certain investment product that earns us a commission. It feels more honest to us. And that’s what we want.
General
Financial Planning. How does financial planning work?
Financial planning is a key step to financial success. The process is designed to: 1) understand and improve your financial health, 2) establish or improve your monthly budget, 3) understand your debt and build a path to becoming debt free, 4) understand your credit score and build a path to maximizing it, 5) understanding your financial Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT), and 6) learn from Arena Investor about financial planning and investing through our Special Topics.
General
Financial Planning
Financial Planning. How does Getting Started work?
Getting started is easy, by design. First, you purchase the Initial Planning offering from our Planning (or Pricing) page. Please note that the first month is more expensive because there is a lot of work for your Advisor to build your financial plan. Then the monthly cost drops significantly. Next you get the Elements app from your app store, and you go through Elements' quick 8-minute onboarding steps, which ask some basic questions. After that, you'll sign our Agreement, and schedule a meeting!
General
Financial Planning
Financial Planning. After the Initial Meeting then what?
There are two meeting at the beginning: the Initial Meeting and the Second Meeting. These two meetings are where we get to know each other, understand your goals, current financial picture, set next steps for your journey, and discuss important things like your budget, debt, credit, insurance, and investments. This is the when we "get our hands dirty" but you'll be so happy you did. You'll have a plan and peace of mind!
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Financial Planning
Financial Planning. After the Initial Meeting and Second Meeting what can I expect?
Yay -- you've done the hard part. Now you get awesome reports from us sent to your inbox every month. The reports are super thorough and include a video of your Advisor going over everything you'd go over in a live meeting (but now you can enjoy it when it fits your schedule). These meetings are called Ongoing Meetings, and they are designed to keep you on track, ensure you are using or developing healthy financial habits, and constantly teaching you more and more about finances and investing through educational videos. You are officially on your journey... a journey you can actually enjoy!
General
Financial Planning
Investment Management. Is there an option to have someone else invest my money for me?
Yes, Investment Management here at Arena Investor is just that. It is a discretionary account, which means you purchase the service, fill out an investor questionnaire, fund the investment account, and a Registered Investment Advisor manages it for you. You still have access to your funds, performance reports, and other important factors. Simply put, you've invested in an Advisor to help you meet your goals and grow your wealth.
Investment Management
General
Investment Management. Can I see how my investments are doing?
Yes, you will have a login to see the account balances, transaction history, and so on. You'll have total transparency along the way.
General
Investment Management
Investment Management. What if I need to withdraw some or all of my money/investments?
It is perfectly fine for you to do so. Just be aware that there may be tax implications, and other considerations. We recommend you contact us as well, to avoid making any mistakes.
General
Investment Management
Investment Management. Do I get an annual review?
Absolutely, an annual review is emailed to you so you can enjoy it when it's convenient for you. Have questions, comments, or concerns? Just contact us, and we'll answer them with a thorough reply. This is modern investing.
General
Investment Management
Investment Management. What if I have questions about my annual review?
The annual review is designed to be easy to understand, but please contact us if you have any questions. Some questions are simple and some require more time; an hourly fee may apply, but you would be made aware of the fee beforehand so you do not unintentionally incur any expenses.
General
Investment Management
Investment Management. How do I get started?
To get started, you click the Get Started button on the Investing page and enter your contact information. Arena Investor gets a notification, and we coordinate the onboarding at a time that's convenient for you. You'll answer necessary questions (a 3-minute questionnaire), and create a login. You sign the Agreement, fund the account, and you are officially a client. If you are moving investments to us from another place, the process is smooth as well -- and you'll be guided by your Advisor along the way!
Investment Management
General
Arena Investor Offers
Income Research Assistance
Are you being compensated properly? Let us check on that for you.
A boost in compensation can make a major impact on your financial goals.
We Also Offer
Philanthropy Assistance
Enjoy our well-curated list of charitable organizations to donate to. Have a favorite organization already? Great! Let's get those donations coordinated for you.
Charitable donations can reduce your tax obligations too.
Win-win scenarios are the best!
Did You Know That Your Business Can Have Investment Portfolios?
Put business money to work too.
Tailored to your business’s unique needs.
Arena Investor Offers Something For Everyone
FINANCIAL PLANS
Simple Financial Plans.
Built for Your Situation.
So You Can Reach Your Goals.
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT
Optimized Portfolios.
Professionally Built.
Professionally Managed.
PORTFOLIO
CHECKUPS
Personal Portfolio Reviews.
Adjustment Recommendations.
From a Registered Investment Advisor.
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Understanding: Insurance Rate, Debt Rate, Savings Rate, Burn Rate, Qualified Term, Tax Rate, Liquid Term, Real Estate Term, Equity Rate, Total Term
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• What Is Your Financial SWOT?
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Plan
One-on-One Financial Planning
Enjoy an Initial Meeting to get to know each other, set your goals, and evaluate your debt and credit
Enjoy a Second Meeting to refine the gameplan, review insurance, and review your investing
Get easy-to-understand Monthly Reports specific to you and the Financial Plan we built recorded and delivered to your inbox for your convenience
Schedule live or recorded Quarterly Meetings to stay on track, review your Financial Health, Financial Plan, and make adjustments as needed
Enjoy Income Research Assistance -- Let us confirm you're being properly compensated
Enjoy Philanthropy Assistance -- our curated list of organizations you can donate to if desired
Financial Health Monitoring & Alerts
in the Elements app
Get professional monitoring of your Financial Health
Receive alerts when certain thresholds are met
Understand your Financial Health and actually enjoy the journey!
Invest
Investment Management
for Individual and SMBs
Fee-Only, never any commissions or conflicts
At just 0.75% AUM, Arena Investor offers great value!
No hidden [fill-in-the-blank] fees -- we absorb them all!
Enjoyable user experiences with elegant industry-leading apps
A modern Advisory designed to serve today's professionals
Professionally managed portfolios
Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Bonds,
Crypto, High Yield Cash Accounts
Also included
Financial Health Monitoring & Alerts in the Elements app
Portfolio Checkups for DIY Investors
For All 401ks
For Personal Brokerage Accounts
Have your Investor Profile analyzed (your goals, time horizon, risk tolerance, et al)
Have your actual portfolio analyzed and compared to your Investor Profile to ensure alignment
Get specific stock, ETF, mutual fund, crypto, etc recommendations to realign your portfolio
Invest with the peace of mind that you have a Registered Investment Advisor as a teammate when desired