Ongoing Planning:

Make an ongoing commitment to your financial goals

Working with a Financial Advisor

When you engage in an ongoing relationship with Pathways Financial Planning, you can expect personalized guidance and support that aligns with your unique financial goals. During our semi-annual review meetings, we will assess your progress and adjust your strategy to reflect your changing life circumstances. Through comprehensive financial planning sessions, we’ll focus on cash flow including net worth, educational planning, retirement planning, tax-efficient strategies, insurance needs and estate planning. As fiduciaries and fee-only advisors, we are not compensated through any commissions or kickbacks, so our focus is simply on creating a holistic plan with you and your family at the center.

Effective Investment Approach

At Pathways, we don’t engage in active investment management (largely because of the approach’s failure to outperform the market), so our focus will be on working together to create a personalized investment portfolio that utilizes passive investment strategies. This approach is designed to align with your financial goals while minimizing unnecessary costs. As opposed to your planner placing trades for you at their discretion (which has shown to lead to unethical actions), your advisor will create an annual plan to rebalance your portfolio ensuring it stays aligned with your strategy and risk tolerance. This rebalance can thus be completed independently for those who prefer the DIY method or can be done together with your planner at a review meeting for those that would like the support. This straightforward, effective investment approach supports your long-term objectives in a streamlined fashion.

Continual Support

Our intentional communication and educational resources ensure you stay informed about your financial landscape, and in our ongoing relationship, we’ll proactively plan around any changes to policies such as tax law and federal rulings. By building a lasting relationship, your planner will be attune to your particular situation and provide continual support through all the stages of your life. This collaborative approach, all for one transparent flat-fee, empowers you to navigate your financial future confidently, knowing you have a knowledgeable ally by your side every step of the way.

The benefits of a flat fee advisor

  • Pathway

    Transparent Pricing

    Many traditional firms base their fees on assets under management (AUM), meaning they take a percentage—often around 1%—of your investment returns each year. This fee fluctuates with market performance, so when the market is up, your advisor is taking more of your money without providing you with any additional support. Because these AUM fees are often paid directly from the custodian bank to the advisor, clients often are left in the dark in terms of how much they’re actually compensating their advisor.

    At our firm, we believe in clarity and fairness. That’s why we offer a simple, transparent fee structure—one fixed annual fee paid quarterly or monthly (your choice). No percentages, no commissions, just straightforward pricing for the services you receive.

  • Growing wealth

    Grow Your Wealth, Not Your Fees

    With our flat-fee structure, your costs remain consistent, regardless of the size of your portfolio. Your flat fee will not increase each year as your portfolio grows which is a stark contrast to the AUM model.

    For instance, a client with $1 million in their portfolio might face a fee of $10,000 at an AUM firm, which could increase to $20,000 as their portfolio grows to $2 million. In contrast, with us, your fixed annual fee (capped at $9,600) stays the same, allowing your investments to flourish while keeping more in your pocket.

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    Decreased conflicts of interest

    Many traditional firms have a vested interest in the size of your portfolio, leading to potential conflicts of interest that can compromise the quality of their advice. For example, they may benefit financially if you roll your 401(k) into an IRA they manage, or they might discourage large withdrawals for personal investments, like buying a second home, to protect their earnings.

    With our fixed fee structure, your interests are our only priority. Since our compensation doesn’t depend on your portfolio size, you can trust that our advice is genuinely in your best interest.