Hourly Financial Planning

Hourly financial planning offers a flexible, transparent way to get expert advice—without committing to ongoing asset management fees. Instead of paying a percentage of your investments each year, you simply pay for the time and expertise you need, only when you need it.

 

Membership in the Garrett Planning Network

I’m a member of the Garrett Planning Network, a nationwide group of fee‑only financial planners focused on making objective advice accessible through an hourly, as‑needed model. Every Garrett advisor, including my firm, offers planning and investment advice in an hourly fee model.

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Membership Criteria for the Garrett Planning Network is described here.

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An FAQ on the Garrett Planning Network is here and describes how all members of Garrett offer financial planning on an hourly fee basis.

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Garrett’s model has been highlighted by mainstream and professional outlets as a pioneering way to deliver advice‑only, hourly financial planning. Consumer Reports has pointed to Garrett as a national network of fee‑only advisers who charge by the hour, specifically as an option for people who want to avoid conflicted compensation structures. Industry publications and thought leaders, including Michael Kitces’ Financial Advisor Success podcast, have profiled GPN as unique trailblazers in bringing hourly, as‑needed planning to a broader segment of the public.

 

Consumer Reports:

Financial Planner Getting Rich at Your Expense? - Consumer Reports

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Michael Kitces

Providing Hourly As-Needed Advice w/ Sheryl Garrett

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How It’s Different from Traditional Asset Management

Many financial advisors charge an ongoing fee based on assets under management (AUM), typically around 1% annually. If you are in place where you need advice on a single issue only – it is likely not needed to commit to an AUM arrangement where you are committed to paying 1% of assets.  Hourly planning flips that structure. Its an alternative option to paying for an advisor to manage your assets.  With the hourly model, you’re paying a professional for targeted advice, strategy, and problem-solving. There’s no requirement to move your investments, no long-term contract, and no hidden incentives tied to how your money is managed.  In short, it provides clear separation for financial advice from investment management.

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How the Hourly Financial Planning Process Works

The process is straightforward and designed to be efficient:

• Initial consultation to understand your goals, concerns, and scope of work

• Clear estimate of hours and cost before any work begins

• Your approval and sign-off

• Focused analysis on specific areas like retirement planning, tax strategy, cash flow, or investment allocation

• A working session (or series of sessions) where recommendations are presented and discussed

• Completion of the project

 

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Example Needs where Hourly financial planning can be a great fit:

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Deciding whether to make a big purchase

• The question, “Can I afford this?” for things like a second home or a major renovation is a great fit for hourly planning.

• In an hourly engagement, I review cash reserves, cash flow, and existing savings, then model how the purchase and ongoing costs would affect other goals including retirement. 

• You leave with a clear sense of whether the purchase is financially reasonable, a rough price range, and practical guardrails so you can move forward—or not—with confidence.

 

One‑time review of existing investments

• A second opinion on the investment portfolio already in place is another excellent fit for hourly planning.

• During a focused review, I review your current holdings, fees, risk level, and alignment with your goals.  We address your specific concerns.

• You keep full control of your accounts, but walk away with a more solid and better understanding of your investment portfolio.

 

Deciding what to do with extra cash

• When clients have extra cash on hand, they may want to weigh different options. Those could include deciding whether to pay down debt faster, invest more, or direct it toward another goal.

• In a short project, we can look at the tradeoffs (risk, flexibility, and potential returns) and outline a few clear options based on your priorities and comfort level.

• You leave with a specific plan for how much to allocate where, so extra cash has an intentional job rather than sitting idle.

 

Work With Us

If you’re looking for a financial planner in Arvada, Colorado, my fee-only firm offers fiduciary hourly financial planning designed to provide clear, actionable advice without long-term commitments. We work with individuals and families locally and beyond who want thoughtful guidance without the pressure of ongoing asset-based fees.

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Whether you’re evaluating a big decision or simply want a second opinion, we’re here as a resource when you need it. If this approach resonates, feel free to reach out anytime—we’re always happy to connect and see if it makes sense to work together.