Ask Jade Anything
Send additional questions to: info@thewealthgardenfs.com, and it will be added to this post.
Q: Are you a fiduciary?
Jade: Yes!
Q: How many years of experience do you have?
Jade: 14 years in the Royal Australian Navy and nine years in financial services.
Q: What is your financial planning experience?
Jade: In the early 2010’s, I covered the West coast region, guiding air traffic controllers to maximize their pensions within their overall financial plan, and hosted financial literacy seminars for Social Security employees. Most recently at TIAA, I designed, delivered, and executed financial plans for professors, scientists, and medical professionals in the later stages of their careers into retirement.
Q: What is your personal investment philosophy in one sentence?
Jade: Save what you can and don’t over react to short term changes in the market.
Q: What type of clients do you work with?
Jade: My clients typically range in age from late 40’s to their late 90’s. Some clients have never done financial planning before while others have multimillion-dollar estates, where we focus on intergenerational wealth planning and family foundations. I treat every client and relationship with equal importance and respect.
Q: How many clients do you work with?
Jade: I used to have 559 clients. Going forward I want to limit the number of clients I work with to 100 so that I can ensure that I deliver a high level of service and attention to my clients and families. Ultimately by having less clients I feel that I can be more present and available for those families I work with daily.
Q: Why did your parents name you Jade?
Jade: Oh boy…now that is a story. In short it came down to not have a name after 45 days, a gas station and an obituary in a newspaper column. Ask me :)
Q: What was the most memorable part of your Navy service?
Jade: I will never forget the horrific Box Day Tsunami of 2004, where I was deployed aboard HMAS Kanimbla as part of the lead Australian response to Banda Ache in Northern Sumatra. Our mission there was to go ashore each day and aid in the clean up and humanitarian response following this natural disaster. Tragically, several of my friends also perished in a helicopter accident. Despite the utter devastation, it was incredibly rewarding seeing the world nations come together for a common goal and working alongside people from all walks of life.
Q: What’s been positive about the pandemic for you? Negative?
Jade: Positive - I have a whole new respect for teachers, as I’ve taken a more hands-on approach with my 8 year old son’s education. We work side-by-side at home, Zoomed into our respective meetings.
Negative - I honestly miss seeing my friends and clients in person and giving them hugs. My son and I had to cancel our annual trip to Australia to see my family. My parents also had to cancel their annual trip to the United States. We had a great excursion planned to tour the Pacific Northwest via Amtrak and camper van.
Q: Sweet or savory?
Jade: Savory all the way! Cooking has been a big part of my life and I love to share this passion with friends and family. Perhaps trying to cook for 150 people a 20 course dinner all by myself was a step too far but it was a fun challenge.
Q: Vacations on your bucket list?
Jade: My son and I have this beautiful cork globe we have on a coffee table in our house with different color pins for the countries we’ve visited. I am thankful for being able to have traveled extensively, but we are always planning that next trip. As for trips on my bucket list: North and South Poles in the next 4 years. Go Great White Shark cage diving again in Mexico, this time with my son.
Q: What’s one thing you wish you could change about yourself?
Jade: To slow down and appreciate the finer points of life.
Q: What do you love about your job?
Jade: Connecting with my clients and being able to impact and improve their lives. I have dedicated my professional life to serving my clients, as I help them and their families plan and solve for their financial goals and challenges. I view my clients as family. I care personally for each of them, forming deep connections with them and their families.
Q: What causes are important to you?
Jade: Cancer Support Community of Redondo Beach and the Sierra Club