Fee-only financial planning means I’m compensated only by the fees you pay me, not by commissions or third-party product incentives. This structure is designed to reduce conflicts of interest and keep my advice focused solely on what’s best for you.

A fee-only planner is paid directly by clients through clear fees (such as flat fees, hourly fees, or a percentage of assets under management). Commission-based advisors earn money by selling investment or insurance products, which can create incentives to recommend certain products over others.

I use a transparent fee schedule described here where I either charge on an hourly basis for specific needs or a flat-fee for one-time financial plans.

Fee-only and fiduciary are related but not identical. “Fiduciary” means I am legally and ethically obligated to put your interests first and before mine at all times. I embrace a fee-only model because it aligns well with that fiduciary duty and helps minimize conflicts of interest.