Here are a few frequently asked questions.

What’s so great about fee-only, hourly advice?

You pay me for the time it takes to share my knowledge, so I can recommend any option that is available to you, anywhere. I’m completely free to base my recommendations on the absolute best choice. Salespeople can only sell what they have sales agreements to sell. If they make recommendations to their competitors, they risk losing these sales agreements or losing their job. Furthermore, most of the financial products and services we would actually want can bought direct at a lower cost, and many are not even available through financial salespeople. Bottom line, you may need advice on what to buy, but you don’t need your advisor to sell stuff to you. 

What makes Swan Financial Planning’s services different from other financial services?

I am Fee-Only: I only work for you, not a brokerage house, a bank, or an insurance company.  I do not accept any kind of referral incentives from other professionals.  My advice is not subject to limitations imposed by sales agreements with third-parties. 100% of my compensation comes directly from the clients I serve, so you won’t compete with a third-party for my advice.

I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional:  The term “financial planner” is not regulated and anyone may call himself or herself a financial planner. However, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professionals are regulated, and must agree to abide by written standards of practice and a code of ethics set forth and enforced by The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.

There are no minimum requirements to work with me:  Swan Financial Planning has no minimum income, portfolio or net worth requirements to become a client.  There is not even a minimum billable time requirement.  You don’t have to already be rich to get advice.

What is your investment philosophy?

Rather than trying to beat the markets, which very few people actually do, I focus on helping you get your fair share of market returns.  Trying to match market performance, minimize investing costs, and controlling risk through asset allocation is the best way to reduce uncertainty and achieve long-term investment results.  Therefore, I recommend passively managed, low-cost, index strategies that are well diversified.  Asset allocation and investment recommendations are based on your financial planning objectives, not on recent market activity or economic outlook.

What if I need to purchase financial products?

While I do not sell financial products, I will offer specific recommendations and opinions regarding the purchase of the various financial products that may be appropriate for you.  So, if you need to obtain an insurance policy or a new mortgage, open a brokerage or banking account, or find an estate planning attorney or tax preparer, I can direct you to the resources you need and/or help you obtain these products and services.

How much do your services typically cost?

It really depends on what questions you’re looking to get answered. A lot can be accomplished in a 2-hour session which costs $350, and is great for getting started. A simple Baseline Retirement Plan is $1,200 and annual updates to a Baseline Retirement Plan will typically cost $600. You can always re-engage my services at any time if you need more advice, and additional customization and other advice is done at my hourly rate of $200, billed in 6-minute increments. Most of my clients spend $350 to $2,000 in the first year of working together and then about $350 to $900 annually on updates and financial advice.  Visit my Fees page for details.

Do you offer a free initial consultation?

Yes, If you are interested in becoming a client, you can schedule a Get Acquainted call lasting up to 30 minutes to discuss your needs, my services, and determine how best to proceed.

How can I get started?

Visit my How to Work With Me page to see how to get started.

Want More Q&A?

Check out my answers to the CFP Board’s 10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Financial Planner.

See my answers to the NAPFA Comprehensive Financial Advisor Diagnostic tool.