Your Guide to Financial Freedom

Retire Early, Live Better.

Serving Clients Locally in Dallas, TX and virtually across the country

Chao Zhang, MBA, CFA®, CFP®

Chao Zhang,
MBA, CFA®, CFP®

Financial freedom means having the flexibility to live your life to the fullest without having to worry about money. At Think Different Wealth Advisors, I help tech professionals and physicians retire early and live better by getting to their first million dollars and beyond. 

With more than ten years of experience working at multiple hedge funds, I am ready to leverage my unique insights and deep research process to make your hard-earned money work even harder for you.

I am a fiduciary, fee-only advisor who is knowledgeable, skilled in investing, responsive, willing to listen, not judgmental, and above all else, always putting your interests first. Look no further. I am ready to serve.

Why We Are Different

Chartered Financial Analyst®

Chao Zhang is a CFA® charterholder, one of the highest distinctions in the investment management profession.

Hedge Fund Experience

Chao Zhang has more than 10 years of experience working at multiple investment funds in both equity and fixed income strategies.

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

Chao Zhang has earned the CFP® certification, which has been the standard of excellence for financial planners for more than 30 years.

Differentiated Investing Process

Some investment advisors outsource their investment management to third-party robo-advisors. We are proud of our unique, research-driven, investing process.

Fee Only

We only accept compensation directly from you, our clients. No commissions from third parties. No product sales. Period.

Transparency

We believe our clients deserve clear and simple pricing. You shouldn’t have to attend a meeting to find out how much we charge. We don’t hide our fees.

Fiduciary Responsibility

We put the interests of our clients first. We respect your time and privacy. You have placed great trust in us. We will do right by you.

Gen X and Gen Y

Many advisors only serve wealthy retirees. We happily accept Gen X and Gen Y clients, knowing we can make the greatest impact in the lives of younger working professionals.

Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it ... He who doesn't ... pays it.

Our Services

Financial Planning

We take a comprehensive approach to financial planning that looks at all aspects of your finances, including: budgeting, debt, workplace benefits, insurance, estate planning, saving for college, tax planning, and retirement planning. Learn more about how financial freedom can change your life and read about the steps of our financial planning process.

Investment Management

Inspired by Warren Buffett’s investing style, we believe we can add substantial value to our clients through active management and superior stock selection. We are patient, long-term, value investors. Not afraid to think differently, we are contrarians at heart.  Read about our differentiated investment philosophy and our rigorous research process.

Plans are of little importance, but planning is essential.

Who We Serve

Tech Professionals

Whether you have restricted stock, RSUs, stock options, or employee stock purchase plans, we specialize in helping you maximize your stock compensation with our expertise in stock analysis and tax planning. Having worked with clients from well-recognized companies such as Tesla, Apartment List, 23andMe, and Dropbox, we are ready to serve as your experienced guide to all your workplace benefits questions.

Physicians

We understand the unique planning needs of healthcare professionals, everything from student loan repayment plans to tax-efficient sheltering of income. Being married to a physician, Chao knows all too well the unique challenges and demands that healthcare professionals face. We have worked with physicians employed by private practice, Parkland and UT Southwestern systems.

And Their Families

As a father of two young kids, Chao fully understands the difficulties families face in this most financially stressful period of life. Balancing the needs of childcare, home purchase, saving for education, and planning for retirement while pursuing career development and still trying to live life is enough to overwhelm almost anyone. Whatever your questions are, we are ready to help.

If you aren't willing to own a stock for 10 years, don't even think about owning it for 10 minutes.

Our Ideal Client

Just as you are looking for a financial advisor who fits your needs, we are also looking for our ideal clients. We view our clients as our partners in our investment enterprise and want to associate with individuals who share our values.  

Our Ideal Investment Client

Our Ideal Financial Planning Client

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Plus, receive our free article on "The Magic of Compounding and the Three Parts to Building Wealth."