FAQ
Transparency and trust.
We want you to have the information you need to make the financial decisions that are best for you—whether it benefits us or not.
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“Is financial planning with Stages Planning Group the right fit for me?”
Our planning relationship is designed for individuals and families who:
- Want a long-term relationship with a fiduciary advisor
- Value proactive financial guidance
- Prefer transparent, flat-fee pricing
- Need comprehensive planning rather than isolated advice
- Want a financial partner who helps them navigate life’s financial decisions
If you’re looking for a one-time financial plan or hourly consultation, we may not be the right fit. Our focus is building long-term relationships that help clients make confident financial decisions through every stage of life.
Curious to know more? Here are some of the questions we hear most frequently:
“Why do I need a financial planner?”
A financial planner can help you sort through your goals and priorities, and make sure that what you’re doing gives you the highest probability of a secure and fulfilling future.
“How does financial planning work?”
Done right, financial planning should be a fun exploration of your wishes in life, followed by a pretty deep dive into your current situation. What flows next is a set of recommendations that helps you put your entire financial house in order, and keep it that way!
“What is included in your services?”
There are different ways we work with clients. In some cases, we build a financial plan and provide guidance on how to implement the recommendations in the plan. In others, we manage investment accounts and portfolios. For many of our clients, we do both!
“What services are not included?”
Our planning relationship does not include: tax preparation, legal services, bookkeeping, business valuation services, investment management fees.
When appropriate, we’ll coordinate with your CPA, attorney, or other trusted professionals to help ensure your financial strategies work together.
“Stages Planning Group is a ‘fee-only financial planner.’ What does that mean?”
“Fee-Only” means we are only paid by our clients. We do not receive compensation or bonuses from the investment companies we choose. This means our recommendations are based solely on your best interests—not on us receiving any bonuses, kickbacks, or commissions.
“What is your fee structure?”
For ongoing financial planning, a typical fee is $600 per month, or $6,660 annually when paid in full, for a 12-month planning relationship.
For investment management, our fees are 1.2% of managed assets per year or lower.
“Why is there a 12-month commitment?”
Creating a comprehensive financial plan takes significant time and collaboration.
More importantly, meaningful financial progress is not just receiving recommendations in a colorful document filled with charts & graphs—it happens through implementation.
A one-year planning relationship allows us to develop your plan, help you put it into action, monitor progress, and make adjustments as your life changes.
“How is Stages Planning Group different from other financial advisors?”
We believe financial planning works best as an ongoing relationship. That’s why we build long-term partnerships to guide you through every stage of life—not just one-time transactions—adapting as life changes, opportunities emerge, and goals evolve.
In addition, we value and support groups who are regularly under-served by the traditionally white, heterosexual, patriarchal financial system. By acknowledging the harm done by these traditional systems in restricting access to wealth for certain groups, we hope to pave a new path forward where everyone can financially thrive.
Our clients tell us it’s because we listen. We don’t talk AT our clients in an attempt to impress them with our knowledge. Rather, we ask questions and listen, so we can understand the best ways to help you.
“What if I have questions between meetings?”
That’s exactly why we’re here.
Your planning relationship includes responsive access to your advisory team throughout the year. Reach out by phone or email whenever financial questions or important decisions arise.
Most questions can be handled through email, a phone call, or a brief virtual meeting. If a more detailed discussion is needed, we’ll schedule additional time with you.
“Are there additional fees for asking questions?”
No. Routine planning conversations and guidance related to your financial plan are included as part of your ongoing planning relationship.
“Is Stages Planning Group a fiduciary?”
Yes. This is a popular word in the financial press – being a fiduciary means we have an obligation to put our clients’ needs first. In practice, it means you receive full disclosure of: our compensation, known conflicts of interest, and even potential conflicts of interest.
“Who is not a good fit for Stages Planning Group?”
We find it easier to be inclusive rather than exclusionary, but here are some types of folks we don’t work best with:
People who want to “time the market”
People who want to “learn all about _____” (and expect us to teach them)
People who don’t have things or people in their lives that are more important than money.
“What is Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing, and do you offer it?”
ESG Investing is a framework to shape your investments so they align with the broad goals of more justice and more transparency. We use the concept of ESG as a tool to reduce or eliminate investing in companies that do not meet those standards, and to screen IN those that do. We offer ESG investing because we believe aligning actions with values is an essential component of a truly fulfilling life.
“Do I need to have a ton of money saved up to work with you?”
No, we do not have a minimum investment amount. In fact, we’ve helped many people “get started!”
“How does an IRA/Simple plan/Roth work?”
An IRA is an individual retirement account, and a Roth is a special version of that. These accounts are funded directly by you and have “some” tax implications depending on the type.
A SIMPLE IRA is an employer-based retirement plan, designed for smaller employers, that works a bit like a 401(k) without some of the administrative burden.
“How do I move a 401K?”
Each 401K plan has its own forms and requirements. We can help you navigate those!
Most of the time, the best way to move your 401k is directly. A direct move means that you don’t legally take possession of the money, so it’s not taxed as income. It goes directly into a different plan – another 401k, a SIMPLE Plan or an IRA.
You do not want to take the money out of your 401K and deposit it into your checking account… there are taxes and potential penalties for doing that!
“Do I have enough to retire? Will my family and I be okay?”
The answers to these questions are exactly what we seek every day! Our goal is to keep our clients on track over the long-term, as things come up and life gets bumpy sometimes. We are here for you as a long-term partner, to help you make the right moves and adapt to changes in your income and your life.
Let’s Start the Conversation
Choosing a financial planner is an important decision. Schedule an introductory conversation to learn more about our approach, talk about your goals, and find out if Stages Planning Group is the right partner for your financial journey.