Preferred Partner Network

Galia Gichon, Founder
Down-to-Earth Finance, LLC

119 East 84th Street
Suite 9B
New York, NY 10028
Phone: (212) 734-0433
Fax: (309) 418-1064
Email: galia@downtoearthfinance.com
Website: www.downtoearthfinance.com

Service Offerings

Down-to-Earth Finance offers it's clients unbiased financial education: the opportunity to gain financial independence, increase their confidence and help create financial security - without selling any investments or managing money. We help people get closer to their financial goals by creating spending and savings plans, phasing out debts and mapping out realistic investment strategies - all the while teaching them about their finances so they are able to eventually handle it on their own. This is done through seminars and individual consultations. Due to our independent status, we are able to help people at all levels, with no money saved and/or unstable income (especially small business owners).

Billing Information

Working with Individuals: $125/hour currently. $150 an hour as of September 1, 2003. Require a 3-session minimum with clients. They can pay over the course of the sessions.

Corporate/Organizational Seminars: $300/hour. If more than 4 hours, then $250/hour.

Estimated Response Time

Same day to 24 hours.

Industry Specialization

Down-to-Earth Finance is dedicated to women, small business owners and entrepreneurs. We are a leading expert in personal finance and financial services, from an unbiased perspective.

Client Testimonials

Before my fiancé and I began working with Galia, I considered budget a dirty word and dismissed financially savvy behavior as tightwad tendencies. As for my partner-in-life Dan (a natural-born saver), he thought plunking money into a savings account epitomized fiscal health. So you can imagine how our different approaches to moolah impacted our relationship BG (Before Galia). Oh, what a difference three sessions with this "down-to-earth" financial advisor made. Not only do practical fiscal tips roll off of Galia's tongue, but she sends you away from sessions with a manageable to-do list. And "do" we did. We switched banks, set up automatic monthly deposits, and moved our nest egg from a savings account to a money market and CDs. Now we pay nada for banking services and earn twice as much interest on our hard-earned cash. We learned how to evaluate our retirement funds. Now our balanced portfolios no longer contains tanking mutual funds and they're consolidated instead of scattered amongst dozens of accounts. As for me (the spender in our duo), I transferred my debt to a low-interest credit card. Now I'm only months away from being debt-free. Perhaps the most valuable lesson we learned from Galia is this: Through her unassuming yet confident manner she taught us that getting our financial house in order isn't rocket science. That knowledge erased our fears and instilled a confidence in us to take control of our money and dream. That's why we recently signed up for three more sessions. Hey, if financial freedom and empowerment is what you're after, we recommend you do the same.
Evantheia Schibsted and Dan Ouellette
New York

*****
Galia has helped us through some pretty significant milestones in our life. During the three sessions with her, we got married and bought a house. Galia helped us see exactly how we were spending our money (a huge surprise) and ways that we could maximize our savings. She also reassured us that we were not doing so bad and could afford to buy a house now instead of waiting. Most importantly, she helped us begin to think as a couple when it comes to our finances. Now we're ready to open that joint checking account! Receiving financial education has helped minimize our worries and arguments over money, one of the main sources of conflicts in most relationships. It has gotten our marriage off to a great start. I would recommend it for any couple. Galia is not only a fountain of resources but she is great at explaining in plain English everything from making the best investments to bringing down debt. Best of all, she gives you homework until you meet with her next time. And she holds you accountable for the things you say you want to do. As a result, we completed in days the things we had procrastinated over for years. Galia was also helpful to me as a freelancer. She helped me shift my thinking from trying to control my income to controlling my spending, since I was not always sure when I would get paid. Now that I am clear on my expenses, I know that is what I need to make for the year. It has helped me to feel more control over a situation that is constantly changing. Getting financially educated with Galia is well worth it. I and my husband would highly recommend it to anyone.
Luchina Fisher and David Parr
New York

*****
Before using Down-to-Earth Finance I had no set savings schedule or financial plan. Galia helped me define my goals and create automatic monthly contributions to my savings, retirement and investment accounts. Previously I was using a very costly brokerage firm that was not giving good advice. I've now switched to a low cost firm where I am more in control. I feel I am now on track to meeting my financial goals.
Stephanie Aaron, Aaron Design Inc.
New York