FAQ - Fee-Only Financial Planning

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Get in touch with us:

How do you charge and what are your fees?

We are a fee-only financial planning advisor that charges monthly for our services. You can pay at no added cost to you through an account debit on assets that we manage for you, or an ACH from a bank account.

$3600 a year billed $900 per quarter for all households under $1m in assets managed by CPJ

$4800 a year billed $1,200 per quarter for all households over $1m in assets managed by CPJ

No AUM fees, no commissions, no selling of products. EVER. Your flat planning fee is the only fee that you pay.

Do I need a certain amount of money to work with you?

Absolutely not. Our process is designed to be able to help anyone construct and implement an actionable financial plan that is centered around your unique financial goals and circumstances. Whether you are just starting out in your career, or have more complex needs, our practice is designed to be able to help anyone and everyone, no matter what your net worth is or how much you have in investable assets.

How do you customize your advice for individual clients?

We begin by understanding your financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance. This is done through thorough examination of your financial documents and the conversations that we have. This information allows us to create and implement personalized strategies that meet your unique goals and needs.

All clients receive a customized financial plan through Right Capital. This is a living, breathing plan that we will implement, monitor, and adjust as your needs, circumstances, and goals change.

What does "fee-only" mean?

At CPJ financial, we work on a fee-only basis, meaning you pay us directly for our advice and investment management. We do not sell products, earn commissions, or charge assets under management (AUM) fees, so our focus is entirely on what is best for you. The only fee you pay is your quarterly planning fee.

Do you sell products?

No. We do not believe that products solve problems. If you do need a product or service, we have trusted partners that we will refer you to. For example, a term life insurance policy or creation of estate planning documents. We do not, and will never, receive a commission, fee, or “kick-back” for providing a referral.

Are you an independent financial planner and how are you registered?

Yes, we operate independently, which means we are not tied to any specific financial institution or product provider. We are registered as an Investment Advisor Representative (IAR) under Core Planning LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). This structure allows us to provide objective, client-first financial advice while benefiting from the support, compliance, and regulatory framework of a larger advisory firm.

What credentials do you hold and are you a fiduciary?

I am a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner™) and an Investment Advisor Representitive (IAR). I am obligated to act in your best interest when it comes to your money and financial plan, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I believe that working with a fiduciary when it comes to your money and finances is a must.

How often will we communicate or meet?

During the onboarding process, we will be meeting often over the first few months to put an actionable financial plan into place. After the initial onboarding phase, we will schedule semi-annual meetings that will be centered upon your needs and life events. Before each meeting, you will receive an agenda that will highlight the topics we plan to cover. After each meeting, you will receive a detailed follow-up that will include a run-down of what we covered, and any action items that the client or planner must work on or complete.

You will also receive quarterly check-in’s and have unlimited messaging access with your planner through email. If there is a need to schedule some face-to-face time between our semi-annual meetings, you will have access to my calendar to put time on.

You can see a more detailed explanation of the process through the services page

Do you provide advice on assets that are not managed by CPJ Financial?

We will provide limited advice on assets held outside of our management that are outside of a workplace retirement plan. We will make you aware of concentrated positions, if you are overexposed to one sector, and the fees that are associated with the portfolio and/or the portfolio management. We will not provide specific advice on when and what to buy and sell in your outside accounts.

What is your investment philosophy?

Our investment philosophy centers on managing assets with low-cost, highly diversified portfolios through our custodian Altruist. By focusing on broad market exposure and time in the market vs. timing the market, we minimize risk while reducing expenses, ensuring that all your money works for you over the long term.

When will I share and send data and information to you?

After you sign on to become a client, we will send you a checklist of the documents, data, and information that will be required for us to begin building your financial plan. Some will be self-explanatory, like uploading investment statements or life insurance policy statements. Others may be more subjective. For example, calculating your essential and non-essential monthly spending and a risk tolerance questionnaire. Once you have all the necessary documentation and information uploaded to our secure portal, we can schedule our first official planning meeting.

What sets you apart from other advisors?

As an independent advisor, we provide unbiased, fiduciary advice that is designed to help you work towards and achieve your financial goals. We stress action, automation, and participation in markets over long periods of time to effectively and efficiently grow your money to help you live your best life possible with the resources that you have.

How will we meet?

We meet virtually, which allows us to work with individuals and families throughout the USA. If you are within an hour drive of beautiful Charleston, SC, I am happy to meet you in person!