Dave Moerlein
Full plans or hourly guidance for people who want to manage their own finances, with the reasoning behind every recommendation.
Belay Finance · Cincinnati, Ohio
Dave Moerlein is a fee-only financial advisor at Belay Finance in Cincinnati, Ohio, who holds the MBA and MS credentials. Dave charges a one-time planning fee and hourly fees (one-time plans $2,500 and $250 an hour) and focuses on retirement planning.
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Specialties
Who they serve
- Tech employees
- Pre-retirees
About
Dave Moerlein founded Belay Finance on the belief that most people can manage their own finances and may just need support along the way. Through full plans or hourly guidance, he works as an educator: he explains his reasoning, not only his recommendation, so clients can make informed decisions on their own later. He invites questions and pushback, drawing on psychological safety, the subject he specialized in while leading teams at Google and later wrote a book about.
Dave's background includes 30 years of independent investing, 15 years of leadership at Google, building and selling a rental portfolio of more than 40 units, founding several philanthropically focused businesses and reaching financial independence at 44. He also spent four years developing a simpler way to compare portfolios by performance and cash flow.
The firm's name comes from climbing, where the belayer guides the climber and catches a fall.
Facts
| Firm | Belay Finance |
|---|---|
| Based in | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Fee model | One-time planning fee · Hourly |
| Fees (Advice-Only Network profile) | One-time plans $2,500 · $250 an hour |
| Works virtually | Yes |
| Accepting new clients | Yes |
| Credentials | MBA · MS |
| SEC registration | Investment adviser representative in CA, MI, OH, TX · CRD 8034529 |
| Exams passed | Series 65 (2025) |
| Firm size | 1 employee |
| Disclosures | None reported |
| Website | belayfinance.com |
How Dave's firm compares
- A one-time plan starts at $2,500, above the Ohio median of $1,500 for fee-only firms that publish prices.
- The hourly rate is $250, below the US median of $300 for fee-only firms that publish prices.
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Questions about Dave
Is Dave Moerlein a fee-only financial advisor?
Yes. Dave Moerlein is listed in the Advice-Only Network (advice-only practices, no product sales). SEC records as of November 2, 2026 show no broker registration and no commission compensation reported by Dave's firm.
How does Dave charge for financial advice?
Dave charges a one-time planning fee and hourly fees.
Does Dave work with clients virtually?
Yes. Dave's Advice-Only Network profile says they meet with clients virtually.
Where is Dave Moerlein based?
Dave Moerlein is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
What does Dave specialize in?
Dave's specialties include retirement planning. Dave works with tech employees and pre-retirees.
What credentials does Dave Moerlein hold?
Dave Moerlein holds the MBA and MS credentials.
Is Dave Moerlein registered with the SEC?
Yes. Dave Moerlein is registered as an investment adviser representative in CA, MI, OH and TX (CRD 8034529), per SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure data as of November 2, 2026.
How do I contact Dave Moerlein?
Through Dave's website, belayfinance.com.
What these terms mean: fee-only · fiduciary · CFP · CRD number · all terms
Where this information comes from
- Advice-Only Network listing : advice-only practices, no product sales
- SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure : registration, exams, and the firm's Form ADV, data as of November 2, 2026
- Directory listing last checked November 2, 2026.
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