Abacus Wealth Partners

"I wasn't planning on writing this, but I noticed your review from a disgruntled caller, and I felt compelled to share my very different experience. I and my spouse have used Abacus Wealth Partners for the last five years and have had an excellent experiece. That is certainly largely because of the financial advior with whom we've worked, Jana Davis, out of their Santa Monica office. Jana is patient, knowledgible and truly cares about us. She's given us superior advice and, despite the fact that we have just moved back to the East, she will be our financial advisor for life. Kudos to Abacus for hiring a person like Jana."

"I spoke with a financial advisor from Abacus for initial consult to match me with one who would be best suited for my financial situation and goals. I thought that the conversation went well. I was told that a financial advisor would be in contact at the beginning of the following week. I never got a follow-up call or email. I had high hopes for Abacus. I met Brent Kessel, its founder, at a workshop years ago. I was impressed with what seemed to be Abacus' philosophy on money management. To me, wealth management is not just about the money. And Brent did write a book called "It's Not About the Money." I am not sure if my net worth was below the threshold of what Abacus required of its clientele and I would have understood if they could not take me as a client for that reason. It is a business after all and parameters need to be set for it to be profitable. But I was never informed of that during the screening call. In the end, the courtesy of a call informing me that I did not qualify would have been appreciated. It would be unfortunate if Abacus only caters to the financially affluent (I could be wrong), espousing socially responsible investing and wealth as not just about the money, but not having a division for people who are not as affluent in the material sense. I have since found a certified financial planner who does not only walk the talk but actually applies the principle that financial planning is not just about the money - that it is a part of a broader perspective of life planning as George Kinder, who wrote "The Seven Stages of Money Maturity," believes. He actually showed me that I have more to invest than I thought I did which was a pleasant surprise. And I am grateful to be life planning with him and not just financial planning. In the end, I believe that Abacus did not work for me as it may not have been the best avenue for me to grow my money and my life. It all works out in the end."