Got Questions About Financial Planning?

Yes. Alchemy Wealth Management operates as a fiduciary. That means we are held to a fiduciary standard to put your interests first and provide advice based on your goals, not commissions or outside incentives. We focus on reducing conflicts of interest and making recommendations designed to support your long-term financial plan.

Yes. We are fee-only. We are compensated directly by our clients and do not receive commissions for selling investments, annuities, insurance products, or other financial products. Our fees are transparent, clearly explained up front, and agreed upon before we begin working together.

We are a good fit for individuals and families who want a thoughtful, ongoing planning relationship and value clear communication, accountability, and long-term strategy. Many clients come to us when they are approaching retirement, already retired, or managing complex decisions around investments, taxes, and retirement income. If you want guidance that is coordinated and built to last, we’re likely a good fit.

Yes. We typically work with clients who have at least $250,000 in investable assets and are seeking an ongoing advisory relationship. If you are building toward that threshold, we’re happy to share resources and reconnect when the timing is right.

Your first meeting is a chance to understand your goals, get clarity on what you want to improve, and determine whether we are a good fit to work together. We’ll discuss your current situation at a high level, the decisions you are facing, and how we typically help clients in similar circumstances. Any costs and next steps are clearly explained before moving forward.

We work both ways. Many clients meet with us in person in Northern Nevada, while others prefer a fully virtual relationship for convenience. We use secure technology to meet, share documents, and coordinate planning so distance is not a barrier.

Yes. We view collaboration as essential. We regularly coordinate with CPAs, attorneys, and other professionals to help ensure your investment strategy, tax planning, estate planning, and financial decisions are aligned. If you do not have an established team, we can help you identify professionals to consider.

Client assets are custodied at Charles Schwab. Your accounts are held in your name at Schwab, and you receive statements directly from the custodian. This structure provides transparency and an added layer of checks and balances.

Meeting frequency depends on your needs and the complexity of your plan. Most clients meet at least once or twice per year for full review meetings, with additional check-ins as needed during life events, retirement transitions, tax planning windows, or major financial decisions. Between meetings, we stay available for questions and provide proactive outreach when planning opportunities arise.

Our investment philosophy is built on long-term, evidence-based investing. We focus on diversified portfolios designed to match your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance rather than trying to time markets or chase short-term performance. We emphasize disciplined portfolio construction, ongoing risk management, and tax-aware decisions that support long-term outcomes.

Yes. While our office is located in Reno, we work with clients throughout Northern Nevada including Sparks, South Reno, Carson City, Gardnerville, and surrounding communities.

Yes. Many clients prefer to meet in person at our Reno office, and we’re happy to schedule meetings that way. We also offer virtual meetings for clients who prefer the convenience of connecting remotely.

Yes. Many clients relocating from California to Nevada have unique financial planning considerations such as tax planning, investment transitions, and retirement income strategies. We frequently work with individuals and families navigating these types of moves.

Yes. We work with clients across the country and maintain relationships with many clients even after they relocate. Technology allows us to provide the same level of service through virtual meetings and secure online tools, regardless of where you live.

In most portfolios we use a diversified mix of low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds to gain broad exposure to global markets. These funds allow investors to access thousands of companies across different sectors and countries in a cost-efficient way. In certain situations we may also incorporate individual securities, but our primary focus is building diversified portfolios designed to support long-term goals rather than trying to pick short-term market winners.

Risk management begins with building a portfolio that reflects your goals, time horizon, and tolerance for market fluctuations. Diversification across asset classes such as stocks, bonds, and global markets helps reduce the impact of volatility in any one area. We also maintain a disciplined allocation strategy and avoid reactive decisions based on short-term market movements. Our focus is on creating portfolios designed to remain resilient through different market environments.

Portfolios naturally drift over time as markets move. Rebalancing helps bring your portfolio back to its intended allocation so that risk stays aligned with your long-term plan. In taxable accounts we also consider the tax impact of trades. When possible, we use strategies such as tax-loss harvesting, careful asset placement, and timing of sales to help manage the tax efficiency of your portfolio.

Evidence-based investing means relying on decades of financial research rather than predictions or speculation. Instead of trying to time markets or pick the next winning stock, we focus on factors that research has consistently shown to influence long-term returns. These include diversification, disciplined portfolio construction, and maintaining a long-term investment approach even during periods of market uncertainty.

Whether rolling a 401(k) into an IRA makes sense depends on several factors including fees, investment options, creditor protections, and your retirement timeline. In some cases leaving assets in a 401(k) may be appropriate, while in other situations an IRA rollover may provide more flexibility and investment choices. The right decision depends on your individual circumstances and long-term financial plan.

Your contribution amount should reflect your retirement goals, current income, and available employer match. At a minimum many people aim to contribute enough to capture the full employer match, since that represents an immediate return on your contribution. From an investment standpoint, the focus is typically on building a diversified mix of funds that aligns with your risk tolerance and retirement timeline.

The primary difference between Roth and traditional contributions is when taxes are paid. Traditional 401(k) contributions are generally made with pre-tax dollars, which can reduce taxable income today but are taxed when withdrawn in retirement. Roth 401(k) contributions are made with after-tax dollars, meaning withdrawals in retirement may be tax-free if certain requirements are met. Choosing between the two often depends on your current tax bracket and expectations about future tax rates.

A backdoor Roth IRA is a strategy used by higher-income earners who are not eligible to contribute directly to a Roth IRA due to income limits. The process typically involves making a non-deductible contribution to a traditional IRA and then converting those funds to a Roth IRA. Because this strategy can involve tax considerations and specific reporting requirements, it is often best implemented with guidance to ensure it is done correctly.

Determining whether you can retire soon involves evaluating several factors including your current savings, expected retirement expenses, Social Security timing, investment income, and withdrawal strategy. A comprehensive retirement analysis can help estimate whether your assets can support your lifestyle throughout retirement while accounting for market volatility, inflation, and longevity.

The order of withdrawals can significantly affect how long your portfolio lasts and how much tax you pay. Many retirement strategies consider drawing from taxable accounts first, followed by tax-deferred accounts such as traditional IRAs and 401(k)s, while allowing Roth accounts to continue growing tax-free. However, the best strategy depends on your tax situation, income needs, and long-term planning goals.

A Roth conversion involves transferring funds from a traditional IRA or pre-tax retirement account into a Roth IRA. The converted amount is taxed as ordinary income in the year of the conversion. Conversions can make sense when you expect future tax rates to be higher, when managing future required minimum distributions, or when filling lower tax brackets during early retirement years.

Reducing taxes in retirement often involves coordinating withdrawals across different account types, managing Roth conversions strategically, harvesting capital gains or losses when appropriate, and planning around required minimum distributions. A thoughtful tax strategy can help smooth taxable income over time and potentially extend the longevity of your portfolio.

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory withdrawals from most tax-deferred retirement accounts such as traditional IRAs and 401(k)s. For most individuals, RMDs begin at age 73. The amount withdrawn each year is based on IRS life expectancy tables and the value of the account. These withdrawals are generally taxed as ordinary income.

Social Security benefits may be partially taxable depending on your overall income in retirement. Up to 85% of benefits can become taxable when combined income exceeds certain thresholds. Coordinating Social Security timing with retirement withdrawals and other income sources can help manage taxes over time.

Sequence-of-returns risk refers to the danger of experiencing poor investment returns early in retirement while simultaneously withdrawing money from a portfolio. Early market declines can have a lasting impact because withdrawals reduce the assets available to recover when markets improve. Managing this risk often involves diversified portfolios, thoughtful withdrawal strategies, and maintaining flexibility in spending.

Planning for inflation and longevity means building a retirement strategy designed to support income for several decades. This typically includes maintaining exposure to growth-oriented investments, adjusting withdrawal strategies as conditions change, and reviewing income sources such as Social Security and retirement accounts to help ensure long-term sustainability.

We incorporate tax-aware planning into financial decisions and frequently collaborate with our clients’ CPAs. While we do not prepare tax returns, we work alongside tax professionals to help ensure that investment decisions, retirement withdrawals, and planning strategies are coordinated effectively.

The “retirement tax bomb” refers to the potential for large tax liabilities later in retirement when substantial balances remain in tax-deferred accounts. Required minimum distributions combined with Social Security income can push retirees into higher tax brackets. Planning strategies such as Roth conversions, withdrawal sequencing, and long-term tax projections can help manage this risk.

IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) increases Medicare premiums when income exceeds certain thresholds. Because Medicare premiums are based on prior-year income, planning ahead can help reduce the likelihood of crossing these thresholds. Coordinating withdrawals, Roth conversions, and investment income can help manage this risk.

Capital gains occur when an investment is sold for more than its purchase price. Tax-loss harvesting involves selling investments at a loss to offset taxable gains or income, which may help reduce taxes in certain situations. When implemented carefully, these strategies can improve the tax efficiency of a portfolio over time.

Moving between states can significantly affect your tax situation, especially when relocating from a higher-tax state like California to a state with no state income tax such as Nevada. Planning considerations may include residency rules, the timing of investment sales, retirement withdrawals, and the taxation of deferred compensation. Proper coordination can help avoid unexpected tax complications.