FAQs

We’re happy to answer any questions you have about our firm and our processes. Below are answers to some of the questions we receive most frequently.

How do I know my assets are safe, and where are they held?

Blankinship & Foster does not hold your money or investments. Instead, they’re held securely by a custodian, typically Charles Schwab, a third-party, regulated financial institution. Established custodians such as Charles Schwab provide safeguards, transparency, and oversight to protect you and your assets. Additionally, as fiduciaries, we’re legally bound to act in your best interest. Learn more about our fiduciary commitment.

Is Blankinship & Foster an SEC-registered investment advisor in San Diego?

Yes, Blankinship & Foster is an SEC-registered investment advisor in San Diego, primarily conducting business in California, and serving clients around the country. This means our firm has made all required disclosures to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

What is the difference between your investment advisory services and comprehensive financial planning?

Our holistic approach to wealth management integrates financial planning and investment advisory services. Financial planning addresses your retirement, taxes, legacy and estate planning, insurance, benefits, and business decisions. Learn more.
Through our investment management services, we design and manage investment portfolios that reflect your goals, risk tolerance, cash flow, and tax situation. Learn more.

How do you work with clients to build and maintain a personalized financial plan?

We build an ongoing relationship by taking the time to understand your goals, values, and concerns. This allows us to review your total financial picture and uncover gaps and opportunities across your investments, taxes, estate plan, insurance, and cash flow. We meet at a cadence that works for you and make adjustments as life changes or market shifts occur, so your plan stays on track, with “bite-sized” action items that make progress feel manageable. Learn more about our process.

How do you work with clients to simplify complex financial decisions?

Whether you’re supporting adult children, caring for aging parents, managing taxes, or planning for healthcare, we can help simplify decisions by providing clear, actionable steps and coordinating with your professional team of CPAs, attorneys, and insurance specialists. Powerful tools like multi-year cash flow modeling and financial independence analysis show how decisions impact your long-term plan, so you can move forward confidently, knowing every piece fits together.

How do you build a retirement plan that accounts for inflation and long-term market volatility?

Our financial advisors use a long-term strategy to design your retirement plan, focused on growth, discipline, and diversification. Ideally, your retirement portfolio combines stocks (which drive growth and counter inflation), bonds (which provide stable income during volatility), cash (which offers liquidity), and other assets for diversification — spreading your investments across different asset classes to manage risk and optimize your portfolio’s allocation. A long-term view is especially important before retirement, when reacting to market swings, political shifts, or fads can be tempting.

FAQs

GUIDES

The Essential Guide to Retirement Planning

Fiduciary

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