Levi Larsen
Founding Financial Planner at Nino
Levi is a Certified Financial Planner with more than a decade of experience helping individuals and families plan their finances.
Schwab, Edelman, Beacon Pointe
VP at Charles Schwab, Director of Financial Planning at Edelman, Senior Wealth Advisor at Beacon Pointe.
10+ years
helping individuals and families plan their finances.
43
Nino articles Levi reviewed for accuracy.
What Levi reviews
The topics of the Nino articles Levi checks for accuracy.
- Financial advisors
- Tax planning
- Personal finance software
- Flat-fee planning
- Financial advisor fees
- Budgeting apps
- Choosing a financial professional
- Financial planning
- Flat-fee advisors
- Equity compensation
Reviewed by Levi
Levi reviewed each of these for accuracy. An article’s updated date records a later content edit, not a new review.
Mint alternatives (2026): what replaced Mint, and who pays for it
Mint shut down on March 23, 2024, and Intuit moved its users to Credit Karma, which has no Mint-style budgets and is paid by lenders when you take an offer. Here is how Credit Karma, Monarch Money, YNAB, Facet, and Nino compare when you want a budget, a planner, or financial planning and tax from one team.
Edward Jones alternatives (2026): a percentage of assets vs flat-fee planning and taxes
Edward Jones Advisory Solutions starts at 1.35% a year plus a 0.05% platform fee, and its advisors cannot give tax advice. Here is how Vanguard Personal Advisor Select, Facet, and Nino compare when you want financial planning, tax, or both.
Rocket Money alternatives (2026): bill cutting vs tax and financial planning
Rocket Money finds subscriptions and lowers bills, and from November 2, 2026, bill negotiation requires Premium+ at $15 a month. Here is how Rocket Money, Monarch Money, YNAB, Facet, and Nino compare when you want to cut bills, budget, or get financial planning and tax from one team.
Do I Need a Financial Advisor? Start With Last Year's Tax Return
An index fund costs 0.03% a year, and advisors attribute most of a 1% fee to managing investments. The part of advice you can't buy cheaply shows up on your tax return. Here is how to read last year's return to decide whether you need a financial advisor, which kind, and what it should cost.
Vanguard Personal Advisor Alternatives (2026): When You Want Planning and Taxes on a Flat Fee
Vanguard Personal Advisor charges about 0.30% of enrolled assets once you want a human advisor. Here is how Digital Advisor, Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, Betterment, Wealthfront, Facet, Domain Money, and Nino compare when you want financial planning, tax, or both.
When a Financial Advisor and CPA Are Not Enough
A CPA files and defends your return, and a financial advisor plans what your money does next. Most complex households need both, and someone owning the gap.
Best AI Financial Advisors and Planning Apps in 2026
What an AI financial advisor can and cannot do, and how ChatGPT, Origin, Monarch, Copilot, Range, Wealthfront, Betterment, and Nino compare in 2026.
CFP vs CPA: What's the Difference and Which Do You Need?
A CPA is a state-licensed accountant who handles your taxes. A CFP is a certified planner who advises on your whole financial plan. Here is when you need each.
Facet vs Range vs Domain Money: Pricing, Tax Filing, and Who Each Fits (2026)
Facet, Range, and Domain Money compared on 2026 price, renewals, tax filing, who prepares the return, investment fees, and meeting access.
How Much of Your Paycheck Should You Save? A Guide for High Earners
The usual answer is 15% to 20% of pay. High earners usually need more, because Social Security replaces less of a large salary. Here is the order to save in.
What Is a CFP? Certified Financial Planner Requirements and Costs
What the CFP mark means, what it takes to earn it, how far the fiduciary duty reaches, what CFP professionals charge, and how to check one before you hire.
Where to Put Cash Above Your Emergency Fund: T-Bills, Money Markets, or Savings
Keep 3 to 6 months of spending in insured savings. Park cash you need within a few years in T-bills, money market funds, or CDs, and invest the rest.
Managing a Windfall: Withholding Is Not Your Tax Bill
How much of a windfall you keep depends on where it came from. Classify it, reserve for the tax, then pay down debt, hold cash, and invest the rest.
XY Planning Network Alternatives (2026): When You Want One Team for Planning and Taxes
XY Planning Network's fee-only advisors each set their own price and decide whether to file your return. Compare it with Garrett Planning Network, NAPFA, Facet, Domain Money, and Nino for planning and tax from one team.
Personal Capital Alternatives (2026): Beyond Net Worth Dashboards
Personal Capital is now the free Empower Personal Dashboard. Here is how to choose among Empower, Monarch Money, Origin, Facet, and Nino, depending on whether you want to track your net worth or get a plan and your taxes filed by one team.
TurboTax Alternatives (2026): When DIY Tax Software Is Not Enough
TurboTax is built to file your return: DIY, Expert Assist, or Full Service. Here is how H&R Block, TaxAct, Keeper Tax, Facet, and Nino compare, from seasonal software to an in-house CPA and financial planner.
Origin Alternatives: How to Choose When a Money App With Optional Financial Planner Sessions Is Your Starting Point
Origin lists a $99/yr membership with bookable financial planner sessions and DIY tax for eligible members. Compare it with Nino, Facet, and Domain Money when you want financial planning and tax with humans on one team.
Range Alternatives: How to Choose When a Flat-Fee Specialist Team Is Your Starting Point
Range lists Premium at $3,950/yr, Platinum at $5,950/yr, and Titanium at $12,500/yr, with personal tax filing on Titanium. Compare it with Nino, Facet, and Domain Money for planning and tax with humans on one team.
Best Flat-Fee Financial Advisors in 2026: How to Compare Memberships, Hourly Planners, and CPA-Led Teams
Nino Advisor is $3,600 a year with federal and state filing; Facet lists $2,600 to $8,700, Domain Money $3,900 to $9,000 in year 1, and Range $3,950 to $12,500. Compare fee shape, filing, and fit.
Financial Advisor With Tax Filing Included: Who Actually Prepares Your Return
Nino Advisor includes federal and state filing from $3,600 a year. Facet includes partner filing from Plus ($5,500 standard), Domain Money from Strategic ($5,200 in year 1), and Range only in Titanium ($12,500).
Garrett Planning Network Alternatives: How to Choose When Hourly, Advice-Only Planning Is Your Starting Point
Garrett Planning Network rates vary by member, with no income or account minimums for hourly engagements. Here is how it compares with Nino, Facet, and Domain Money for one-off advice or flat-fee planning and tax.
Keeper Tax Alternatives: How to Choose When Bookkeeping and Tax Filing Are Your Starting Point
Keeper Tax lists Monthly bookkeeping at $20/mo and annual plans from $199 to $1,199/yr with filing on Standard+. Here is how to choose among Keeper, Nino, Facet, and Domain Money when you need tax filing alone, or tax plus financial planning with a human team.
Kubera Alternatives: How to Choose When a Paid Net Worth Tracker for Crypto, Real Estate, and Alternatives Is Your Starting Point
Kubera Essentials is $250 a year and Kubera Black is $2,500 a year, after a 14-day trial with a $1 non-refundable fee. Here is how to choose among Kubera, Nino, Empower, and Monarch Money when you need a balance sheet alone, or financial planning and tax with a human team.
Morgan Stanley Alternatives: How to Choose When a Full-Service Financial Advisor or a Morgan Stanley Robo Is Your Starting Point
Morgan Stanley's Select UMA lists a maximum advisory fee of 2.0% a year; its Core Portfolios robo charges 0.30%. Compare Nino, Vanguard Personal Advisor, and Facet for advice without a percentage-of-assets wrap.
Quicken Alternatives: How to Choose When Desktop Money Management and Budgeting Software Are Your Starting Point
Quicken lists $6.99 to $12.49 a month, billed annually. Here is how it compares with Nino, Monarch Money, and Empower for tracking alone, or financial planning and tax with a human team.
YNAB Alternatives: How to Choose When Zero-Based Budgeting and Giving Every Dollar a Job Are Your Starting Point
YNAB is $14.99 a month or $109 a year, with a 34-day free trial and sharing for up to 6 people. Here is how to choose among YNAB, Nino, Monarch Money, and Empower when you need a budget alone, or financial planning and tax with a human team.
Betterment Alternatives: How to Choose When Automated Investing and Optional Premium Advice Are Your Starting Point
Betterment Digital is $5 a month or 0.25% a year (thresholds apply); Premium is 0.65% with advisor access (min $100k). Here is how to choose among Betterment, Nino, Wealthfront, and Empower when you need a robo alone, or financial planning and tax with a human team.
Empower Alternatives: How to Choose When a Free Dashboard and Optional AUM Advice Are Your Starting Point
Empower's Personal Dashboard is free; Personal Strategy advisory lists 0.89% AUM on common bands. Here is how to choose among Empower, Nino, Wealthfront, and Betterment when you need free tracking alone, or financial planning and tax with a human team.
Wealthfront Alternatives: How to Choose When Automated Investing and Cash Are Your Starting Point
Wealthfront is automated investing at 0.25% plus cash management. Here is how to choose among Wealthfront, Nino, Betterment, and Empower when you need a robo alone, or financial planning and tax with a human team.
Monarch Money Alternatives: How to Choose When Budgeting and Net Worth Tracking Are Your Starting Point
Monarch Money is paid budgeting and net worth software. Here is how to choose among Monarch, Nino, YNAB, and Empower when you need tracking alone, or financial planning and tax with a human team.
Fee-Only vs. Fee-Based Financial Advisors: What Actually Changes?
Fee-only and fee-based describe how an advisor can be paid, not the quality of the plan. Compare compensation, conflicts, fiduciary duty, tax coordination, and total dollar cost.
When Should You Exercise Stock Options?
Exercise stock options when the tax, cash cost, expiration risk, and company concentration fit one plan. This framework compares ISOs, NSOs, private-company risk, and holding periods.
What Is a Flat-Fee Financial Advisor?
A flat-fee advisor charges a dollar amount instead of a percentage of your portfolio. Compare the math, included services, and questions to ask before signing.
Domain Money Alternatives: Compare Cost and Ongoing Support
Compare Nino, Facet, and Range with Domain Money, including first-year fees, renewals, required services, and software access.
Nino Is Live in Beta
A look back at Nino’s beta: accounts, equity scenarios, and financial questions in one place, with a human team to help.
What Happens When You Die Without a Will?
State law determines who inherits probate property when there is no will. Beneficiary designations, surviving parents, and state rules still matter.
Facet Alternatives: Compare Planning, Tax Filing, and Software
Compare Nino, Range, and Domain Money with Facet by required services, annual cost, tax-filing scope, and access to software.
What Is a Trump Account? Eligibility and Contributions
Trump Accounts are retirement accounts for eligible children. Learn who can open one, how the $1,000 pilot contribution works, and what to check before funding.
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage or Keep the Cash?
Compare interest saved with after-tax returns, liquidity, and household risk before paying down a mortgage.
Should You Sell Employer Stock When It Vests?
A useful sell-or-hold decision weighs tax reserves, company concentration, and cash needs. Here is how to compare them.
How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost?
Typical 2026 advisor fees by model, in dollars: AUM percentages at $500,000 to $5 million, flat retainers, hourly rates, one-time plans, robo-advisors, and tax preparation.
Buy, Borrow, Die: How It Works and What It Costs
Borrowing against appreciated assets can defer capital gains tax, but interest, collateral calls, and estate rules can outweigh the benefit.
Introducing Nino
Why we built Nino: AI software to understand your finances, with optional human help to plan your finances and taxes and put the plan into action.
Written by Levi
What Happens When You Die Without a Will?
State law determines who inherits probate property when there is no will. Beneficiary designations, surviving parents, and state rules still matter.
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage or Keep the Cash?
Compare interest saved with after-tax returns, liquidity, and household risk before paying down a mortgage.