Ari Linder

How does this start?

**Getting to Know Each Other with Accessibility and Comfort** Whether you prefer structure or flexibility, no‑prep conversations or checklists, cameras on or off — I tailor the process to what feels comfortable for you. Your comfort tells me what pace we'll follow. 📞 **1. Intro Call or Zoom Meeting (15–30 minutes)** **Your first conversation with your financial advisor** A simple first hello — no prep needed. We get a sense of each other, answer a few easy questions, and see whether the conversation feels comfortable. If it does, we schedule our next meeting. If not, we part ways without pressure or hard feelings. ++Expect us to discuss:++ top concerns on your mind, what you're looking for in a financial advisor, how I work with clients, how to communicate securely and for scheduling, and confirm your address for state licensing registrations **🔍 2. Discovery Meeting (60 minutes)** **Understanding your goals, your current financial picture, and my role as your advisor** You choose the pace and style: * **Show up as you are,** and we talk everything through together, or * **Use a short checklist to gather important numbers for our meeting** if talking about the numbers feels grounding. We explore your concerns, the role money plays in your life, and where things stand today. I offer a few practical ideas you can use right away. If your situation is layered — and we're connecting well — we agree to a deeper follow‑up. ++Expect us to discuss++: your goals and timelines, current cashflow experience and savings strategies, ways you've been saving and investing, your comfort with risk and investment types, your options available, my initial recommendations, and how to securely share account statements that create useful answers in the next meeting , **💡 3. Personal Wealth Analysis (60 minutes)** I build a clear, easy‑to‑understand picture of your financial life. Together, we look at: * What's working * What could improve * What isn't worth stressing about You leave with realistic next steps. If partnering long‑term makes sense, you choose the pace — take time to reflect, or begin preparing for onboarding. ++Expect us to discuss++: whether or not you're currently on track to afford your goals as you described them, potential tradeoffs if there's a gap, potential upgrades if you're ahead of schedule, both easy and tougher changes that would impact your plan, a realistic first investment plan for you, all costs and expenses involved in potentially working together. **🤲 4. Decision Meeting** We decide together: * **Not the right fit?** I'll share other options that can still support your goals. * **Ready to begin?** We gather the pieces needed to open your home accounts at Merrill — calmly, step by step. ++Expect us to discuss++: your online access for digital signature tools, basic account\-opening information about account owners and beneficiaries (name, date of birth, address, etc) **If you're curious about how this process might look for your household or your financial goals, reach out when it feels right.** *** ** * ** *** **Then What Happens?** **4 Phase Onboarding** **🏡 1. Make Your Home at Merrill** Sign digitally to open accounts that match your goals and needs. I prepare the forms — you review and sign. **🔗 2. Move Pieces Into Place** With just a few digital signatures, I help you transfer your funds smoothly. Then we set up your online access and link your accounts so money moves easily where you need it. **📘 3. Informed Decisions to Begin Investing** We review your investment options in clear, grounded language. You'll understand my recommendations and choose any optional features that add convenience to your daily financial life. **⭐ 4. Take Action Together** We choose one starting priority for your financial plan and take the first steps — at a pace that feels steady and manageable. This often starts with: * Right‑sizing your emergency fund * Simplifying your cash‑flow or savings strategy * Tackling the financial concern at the top of your list After your first month, we review **your first statement** and **your first month invested** together to make sure everything feels clear, comfortable, and aligned with your goals.

Who I Serve

You deserve financial guidance that understands who you are. That includes your identity, your family structure, the communities you belong to, and the version of a good life you're working toward. These are the people and households I support most often. **🌈 LGBTQ+ Life \& Family** Affirming, identity\-aware support for gender‑affirming transitions, family building (IVF, adoption, donor paths, surrogacy), chosen‑family structures, multi‑parent households, and the ongoing balance of queer joy with long‑term financial stability. **✡️ Jewish Households** Warm, culturally aware planning for families navigating multigenerational responsibilities, high cost‑of‑living regions, meaningful giving, lifecycle events, and the desire to pass down values around money, generosity, and stability. **🧡 Non‑Traditional \& Chosen‑Family Estate Planning** Compassionate, clear guidance for households that don't fit traditional templates — partners, co‑parents, close friends, blended and interfaith families — with a focus on protection, clarity, identity updates, and honoring the relationships that matter most. **🧠 Neurodivergent Individuals \& Families** strengths‑based, judgment‑free planning for autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, and otherwise neurodivergent adults — and for families supporting ND kids. I offer clear, predictable processes that reduce overwhelm, and support executive‑function needs. I continuously adapt my approach to help you build long‑term stability in ways that work with your brain, not against it. **💼 Career Transitions \& Equity Compensation** Structured, practical support for professionals navigating role changes, burnout pivots, equity compensation (RSUs, ISOs, ESPPs), relocation, uneven income, or shifting career identities in fields like tech, healthcare, nonprofit, media, and education. **🌱 Values‑Aligned Legacy \& Philanthropy** Purpose‑driven planning for families and individuals who want their financial decisions to reflect their ethics — from intentional giving to long‑term legacy design — in a way that feels authentic, sustainable, and meaningful. **Let's plan for the life you're building.** Whether you're caring for your family, navigating a transition, or shaping your future, we can map your next steps together in a way that feels grounded, personal, and doable. These aren't just financial choices. They're expressions of your identity, values, and connections.

Why Clients Choose Me

• Identity‑aware, judgment‑free planning that respects your life and values • Predictable structure with flexible pacing and low‑prep options • Clear explanations and choices that reduce overwhelm • Joy and experience in serving LGBTQ+ households, neurodivergent adults, first‑generation wealth builders, nontraditional families, and equity compensation • A focus on practical steps that build stability and confidence

Common Concerns I Help With

• "I know I *should* be saving, but I'm not totally sure what I'm saving for." • "I want a plan that actually fits my energy, bandwidth, and the way my life works." • "I have RSUs, ISOs, or ESPP, and I want a clear path instead of guessing." • "We're juggling two careers, a kid, and a lot of moving parts — we don't have time to figure this out alone." • "We want to be sure our plan fully protects our queer or trans family." • "I'm neurodivergent and need a process that's predictable, low‑pressure, and easy to follow."

Clients Like You

**Partnership Approach** I work with people who want a financial partner who "gets" them — LGBTQ+ individuals and families, Jewish households, and the many thoughtful allies who value intentional, values‑aligned planning. For some, that means saving for a gender transition or navigating a major job or geographic shift. For others, it's buying a home for a constellation of family — kids, partners, co‑parents, or chosen family. And for many, it's creating a legacy that reflects who you are, who you care for, and the impact you want to make. Whatever your version of a good life looks like, we plan for it together — with clarity, practicality, and a shared sense of purpose.

Personalized planning

**Helping you create a personalized plan** At Merrill, we go beyond the traditional role of an advisor. * Your goals, concerns and attitude about investing are the foundation of your plan. * We actively listen and provide personalized advice — ensuring we understand what matters most to you and your family. * We're committed to creating a personalized plan that evolves with you to help you live well today while preparing for the future.

Team and resources

**Giving you access to our teams and solutions** Your advisor is one part of an experienced team dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. Acting as your single point of contact, your advisor provides personalized strategies and connects you with: * Bank of America specialists, such as mortgage or trust professionals * Timely insights from BofA Global Research1 to help you stay informed and navigate ever\-changing markets * A [full suite](https://www.ml.com/solutions/all.html) of Merrill investing and Bank of America banking solutions ^1^~BofA Global Research is research produced by BofA Securities, Inc. ("BofAS") and/or one or more of its affiliates. BofAS is a registered broker\-dealer, [Member SIPC](http://www.sipc.org/), and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp.").~

Recognition