Our hourly PERS-focused consultations are $400 for the hour.
Project-Based Financial planning fees are based on complexity. 50% is due upfront, with the remaining 50% due at the end.
Our Ongoing Wealth Management services are based on a percentage of the assets managed, with a $500,000 investment minimum.
You can find the detail about each under the “How We Do It” tab on the top menu.
You can expect us to ask many questions and actively listen to your responses. We’ll share a bit about the practice, how we work with client families and our thoughts based on what you shared. We’ll then mutually determine the next right step. Every client is looking for something different; we want to be sure we’re a fit before we move forward.
Initial meetings take place in our office or via Zoom. For ongoing clients, we offer flexibility — meeting in our office, virtually, or in the homes of client families throughout the Willamette Valley.
Our process will factor in your financial numbers and your heart’s values. Through every step of our work together, you can expect a process designed to explore your perspectives, aspirations, and finances so that we can co-create a financial plan that is unique to your life.
For our Project-Based Financial Planning clients, it varies. Some people want to work together on a focused 1-2 topics; others need a broader comprehensive plan. Throughout our engagement, you can expect us to communicate clearly about where we are in the process, what we’re working on, and what’s next for you. It is a collaborative process that we both commit to.
For our Ongoing Wealth Management clients, we begin by working through the transfer process, which typically takes about two weeks. We then collaborate to determine the best time to pursue the financial planning process. For some, it’s right away; for others, we may wait a few months. Within the first year of our partnership is the best time to create a base financial plan. This serves as a solid foundation for future decision-making and proactive planning.
Do you want more information on the financial planning process and what is involved? This resource from Investopedia hits the highlights.
Our client engagement standards provide insight into what it’s like to be a part of our client family. They outline our principles, values, what we promise to deliver in exchange for your trust, and what we need from you to make this engagement as fulfilling and valuable as possible.
Most of our client families are public employees in Oregon 5-10 years from retirement. They’ve waded through OPSRP, IAP, OSGP, and the myriad other acronyms that come with our PERS system. They are ready for a holistic approach to planning their retirement.
The second most common client demographic we serve is those who are retired. They’re happy with their lives, always growing, learning, and looking for ways to ensure they are living lives of contentment, not complacency. We have a process designed specifically for retirees to help explore the opportunities and challenges unique to them, including tax planning, legacy planning, and developing a philanthropic philosophy.
If that doesn’t describe you, we can still work together. While we have expertise in the Oregon PERS system and retirement planning, our process applies whether you’re 35, 55, or 95.
If you’re looking for tips on the next hot stock, measure success solely on your portfolio’s performance, or have no interest in discussing life beyond the numbers, we probably aren’t a match for one another.
Engaging in a financial planning process is a commitment from both of us. Just as tackling estate planning requires a certain mindset, the season has to be right to get the most out of financial planning.
If our fees are prohibitive, or you’re looking for an hourly engagement, you might check out the XY Planning Network Directory, NAPFA, or the Garrett Planning Network.
This is a one-hour, one-on-one consultation focused on helping Oregon PERS members understand their benefits and retirement options. We can review your PERS estimate, retirement timing, and key decision points, but this session does not include comprehensive planning, investment management, or tax advice. The fee is $400, and you can book directly through the intake form.
Tax planning involves distilling general information on settled tax law and understanding how it applies to your unique situation. This often includes projecting the impact of potential tax strategies moving forward. This is what we offer.
Tax advice is given by a federally authorized tax practitioner, meaning an individual licensed under federal law to practice before the IRS (CPAs, attorneys, enrolled agents, enrolled actuaries, etc.). It often involves case-specific strategies, ensuring compliance with federal and state tax laws, and filing tax returns. This is not what we offer.
With nearly 15 years of doing this work, our experience offers us the wisdom and framework to collaborate with you and your tax professional on proactive tax planning.
We have made arrangements for continuity planning to ensure the smooth management of your accounts in the case of an unforeseen circumstance. Our continuity partner, who is also based in Oregon, shares our investment philosophy and has similar credentials and experience. In the event of Brenna’s death or incapacity, our continuity partner will reach out and guide you through the next steps regarding your options. Our top priority is your financial well-being, and this arrangement ensures that you will continue to receive the same level of attentive care and expertise that characterizes our commitment to every client.
The financial planning industry has strict requirements for protecting client data, and we take this responsibility very seriously. We partner with Team Logic IT to ensure our cybersecurity practices meet high standards, including regular audits to identify and address vulnerabilities. Data is encrypted both at rest and in transit, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) is required for all sensitive systems. We also conduct daily third-party cloud backups to ensure data redundancy and protection against loss.
For remote work, we use a VPN and personal hotspots to maintain secure connections and avoid risks associated with public networks. Physical documents are securely stored, scanned, and shredded when no longer needed. In addition, we follow a comprehensive data breach response plan to quickly address any potential incidents, safeguarding your information at every level.
There is no difference – neither requires any professional training or experience. If you’re blown away by that fact, you’re not the only one. It’s one of the most stunning pieces of information we share when we speak on financial planning.
This industry is full of titles and acronyms. When you’re looking for a financial planner, we encourage you to hold these two titles as your litmus test: 1) Certified Financial Planner (it takes two years of study, a grueling exam, and 6,000 hours of client experience before you can call yourself a CFP Professional), and 2) Fee-only (this means the advisor does not receive commissions on specific mutual funds).
Whether working with us or another firm, we firmly believe everyone should have a solid financial plan. If you want to learn more, check out our blog: How Do You Find a Financial Advisor? It explains the various ways advisors partner with clients so you can find your best fit.
A fee-only financial advisor is compensated directly by their clients for financial advice and ongoing investment management. We do not receive commissions or kickbacks from financial products, which minimizes conflict and requires us to act as fiduciaries (i.e., we act in your best interest). This is the most transparent and objective compensation structure available.
We believe every one of our clients is capable of making smart financial decisions when the options are clear. A financial advisor can help to clarify your options, keep you accountable and be proactive. It’s easy to document your plan on paper, but if someone isn’t in your corner looking out for your financial well-being, it’s easy to get off track. It’s about creating a to-do list, getting it done, and then doing it again – life evolves, and so does your plan. Our goal is to give you confidence in your financial decisions and free up your time, enabling you to live a better, more confident life.
