Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • No, I am not a financial advisor or certified financial planner. Therefore, there are several topics I cannot give guidance on because I’m not qualified and/or licensed in those areas.

    If you need a referral to a financial advisor/certified financial planner, I can refer you to a company that has helped many ChristianaCare employees. Just let me know if you need this referral and I’ll make the introduction.

    You’ll get complimentary guidance and then you can decide if you want to hire them for additional guidance.

  • It sure is! There's absolutely no cost to you. It's 100% free.

  • ChristianaCare (CCHS) subsidizes 100% of the cost.

  • ChristianaCare is one of several employers and institutions in Delaware that wanted a dedicated Stand By Me Financial Coach available for their employees and contractors at their place of work.

    Whether you're an employee or contractor at ChristianaCare...

    Full-time, part-time, seasonal or retired...

    Doctor, nurse, cafeteria worker or valet driver...

    Free financial coaching is available to you!

  • No. I'm a consultant/contractor at ChristianaCare. I have an 801#, ChristianaCare ID badge and ChristianaCare email address.

    Stand By Me is a program in Delaware and its financial coaches are employed by various organizations throughout the State.

    I'm employed by West End Neighborhood House in Wilmington.

    The simplest way to summarize it is this: I'm an employee of West End Neighborhood House, for Stand By Me, at ChristianaCare.

  • Yes! While the majority of my clients are ChristianaCare caregivers, I do have a small group of clients who are not. Some of them are former ChristianaCare caregivers and some of them have never been employed there.

    Remember, I’m still a Stand By Me financial coach. And Stand By Me provides free financial coaching. So that’s why you can be my client no matter where you work.

    But if you'd rather meet with a different Stand By Me financial coach, please sign up here.

  • Yes! While this is a Delaware-based program, we have many customers who live in other states, but work or attend school in Delaware.

    Even if you work at one of the ChristianaCare affiliates in Pennsylvania, you are still eligible.

    And if you live and work in an entirely different state, you are still eligible! While we don’t actively promote ourselves outside of Delaware, we won’t turn anyone away who comes to us.

    So no matter who you are, where you live, where you work or who you work for, you can be one of my financial coaching clients! And for free!

  • No! There are no minimum requirements for financial coaching!

    You can be employed, unemployed or in school.

    You can work full-time, part-time or be retired.

    You can be a high school grad, college grad or not have graduated.

    You can have lots of debt or no debt.

    You can have a low income, moderate income or high income.

    You can have great credit or not-so-great credit.

    Etc.

    No matter where you are in life, I can help you!

  • Yes. Nothing will be shared with ChristianaCare HR, your manager, the person who referred you to me, etc.

    We also don’t share any information with other agencies you’re involved with, unless you want us to and give us permission to.

    For example, if you are receiving State or government assistance, we would never contact them about your personal finances.

  • Financial coaching sessions are available via Zoom, Phone or Email. You can select your preferred method on the Scheduling Page.

  • Absolutely! They're more than welcome to join us on our Zoom Call or Phone Call.

  • No. There's no contract. You can start, pause, resume or quit financial coaching anytime you want.

  • We can meet as often as you'd like!

  • I’m available Monday - Friday for financial coaching appointments. I offer appointments in the early morning, during normal business hours and in the evening.

    I check and respond to emails every day, including weekends. Exceptions include holidays, vacations and emergencies.

  • Click here to learn how to prepare for your appointment.

  • Zoom Consultations are scheduled for an hour, but they can be shorter.

    Phone Consultations are scheduled for 45 minutes, but they can be shorter.

    Zoom and Phone Consultations rarely go beyond their scheduled time limits. However, if we’re in the middle of discussing something important, I’m happy to go beyond our allotted time if both of our schedules allow for it.

  • Yes! If you’d like to discuss partnering together to achieve your goal of buying, selling or renting a house, please initiate that discussion with me.

    It can be as simple as saying, “Manoj, I’d like to talk to you about your real estate services.”

    If you have general real estate questions, I’m happy to answer them within the parameters of financial coaching. But I won’t sell my real estate services to you nor make you feel obligated to hire me.

    And if you’re currently working with a REALTOR®, I won’t step on their toes or attempt to get you to hire me instead. I’ll treat your relationship with them with the utmost respect and professionalism.

  • No. We don't sell or promote any products, services or vendors at Stand By Me.

    If we recommend a solution to you, you can rest assured that we have no vested interest in it.

    There are no backdoor deals, kickbacks, commissions, etc.

  • Yes. Here are some topics I'm not qualified or licensed to give guidance on:

    1. Your 401(k) or 403(b). If you’re a ChristianaCare employee, please schedule an appointment with Lincoln Financial Group by clicking here.

    2. Investing in individual stocks, mutual funds, or other financial products

    3. Life insurance

    4. Disability Insurance

    5. Malpractice Insurance

    6. Filing tax returns

    7. Medicare

    8. Medicaid

    9. Affordable Care Act (ACA)

  • Simply contact me! If I can’t answer immediately, then I’ll get back to you soon.