WHO WE ARE
TRUSTED ADVISORS
As a fiduciary and fee-only financial planning firm, Method, is committed to providing objective advice and guidance on your entire financial picture. We do not receive compensation outside of the client/advisor relationship, and provide advice with no other incentive but to help you to identify and achieve your own personal financial goals. We offer unparalleled peace of mind by designing and implementing individualized financial plans regardless of where your investment and financial accounts reside.
INDUSTRY LEADING PROFESSIONALS
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals must complete extensive training and experience requirements and be held continuously to rigorous ethical standards. They must adhere to the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence when dealing with clients. Only 20 percent of all financial advisors hold a CFP® designation. (Source: www.cfp.net)
Katie Burke, CFP®
...to offer clients simpler, more effective solutions to achieve their financial goals, by focusing on what is important to you, the client.
My experience gives me the knowledge my clients trust and the personalized service they receive at Method gives my clients the service experience they deserve.
As a wife, mother and business owner I understand the stress of managing the household finances on top of everything else on your never ending list of things to do. My goal is to simplify this process and help clients take control of their finances and feel empowered to make good financial decisions.
I am so passionate about my work and the relationships that I have with my clients that in 2018 I co-founded Equita Financial Network, a collaboration of women-led planning firms to help attract, support and retain women in the financial planning profession. I am also a mentor through the CFP® Board to support others through the process of obtaining the CFP® certification.
If I can find some free time after chasing after my two sons, Parker (5) and Ashton (3) I like to spend my time running, reading, getting together with family and planning (I can’t help it – I am built to plan!) with my husband, Ryan, for whatever is next.
Mario Nardone, CFA®
...financial advisors on investment policy, portfolio construction, and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).
Mario also contributed to the research and publication of the firm's world-renowned investment philosophy and served as a municipal bond fund specialist, among other roles during his tenure.
In 2003 he earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, widely regarded as the highest standard in the investment profession, and he continues to mentor aspiring Charter candidates in its curriculum, ethics, and career opportunities. Mario relocated to Charleston in 2010 to serve as Chief Investment Officer and Chief Compliance Officer for a respected financial planning and advisory firm in Mount Pleasant before establishing East Bay Financial Services, the collaborative partner firm of Method Financial Planning. Mario is Past President and of CFA Society South Carolina and Former Chairman of the College of Charleston Finance Department Advisory Board.
His approach to investments and the industry has been featured in Investment News, NAPFA Advisor Magazine, and other regional and local publications. Mario is active in recreational sports and the Charleston community, and is a member of the Historic Middleton Place Foundation. He is an avid traveler and SCUBA diver, and enjoys spending time with his wife, Piper, and their "energetic" lab/shepherd mix, Cady.
WHAT WE DO
Our planning process starts with you. Together we will shape your financial future by building a customized plan and action list based on your needs, concerns and goals. We focus exclusively on financial planning and offer the following services:
- Organize your entire financial picture
- Define the path to reach your financial goals
- Create a system of accountability to help you attain financial success
- Serve as a trusted advisor to support you every step of the way
Comprehensive Financial Planning – Every client relationship begins with a comprehensive financial plan to understand where you are today and where you want to be. We will work with you every step of the way to organize your financial life and create a clear path to achieve your goals. Along the way we give you the tools and education to feel empowered financially and the support needed to make informed financial decisions. The planning process culminates in a personalized assessment and an implementation checklist detailing the steps needed to put your customized plan into action.
Investment Management – Our investment management solutions are tailored for each client specific to their needs. We are a member of a select group of advisors utilizing the Dimensional Fund Advisors investment platform. Dimensional’s investment approach is grounded in economic theory, backed by decades of empirical research. Over time the performance of your investments may vary, however Method’s role as your trusted advisor is to cut through the noise, adhering to your financial plan on your road to success.
Ongoing Financial Consulting – Financial plans are dynamic and we are here to provide you with the advice and guidance that is important to you. As a client you will have access to our innovative planning solution, MyBLUEPRINT, providing a clear dashboard of your entire financial picture. My BLUEPRINT and its features, are available when convenient to you (24/7); providing a central location for viewing all of your financial accounts, managing budgets, and the ability to archive your important documents in a secure vault.
Blog
Growing Your Savings
Most of us have a savings account at the bank where we do our everyday banking. We don’t think much about it and move on with our busy lives. Do you know if your money is actually working for you? What is the interest rate you are earning? Are you being charged fees for the[…]
Protecting Your Credit
It is a story we unfortunately hear too often – a bank or financial institution was hacked and our personal information may have been breached. What can you do if your information has been breached, and what can you do to protect yourself in the future? Run your credit report You are entitled to a[…]
Method is 4!
Dear Method Community, Can you believe it? Method is 4! The past four years have flown by and I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you that has supported us through the years, including the first year we were in business when we added a baby to our growing[…]
Are Your Finances Sparking Joy?
If you are like so many of us right now you might have seen (or at least heard of) the new Netflix craze, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Each episode focuses on world-renowned tidying expert Marie Kondo helping a family declutter their homes to choose joy. Watching the show you see how the process of[…]
#Goals
So how many of us are still working towards those lofty goals we set back on January 1st? As financial planners we speak with clients all day long about goals – setting goals, short-term goals, retirement goals and of course there is some celebration when clients have reached a goal! While the financial goal[…]
The Catalyst
Last Saturday I jumped on the bandwagon and tried celery juice for the first time. I do not own a juicer so after reading a few blog posts I decided I could make it using a few other items I had in my kitchen. As usual, my 4 year old woke me up before 6:00am,[…]
I Don’t Pay For My Investments…Wait, I’m Paying How Much???
Question: Do you know how much you are paying in fees in your investments accounts each year? Unfortunately for most investors this is not an easy question to answer, so here is a quick summary of the ABCs of investment fees: Account/Custodial Fee: An annual fee may be charged by the financial institutional holding[…]