FINANCIAL ADVISOR FEES: A FEE-ONLY RETAINER VS TRADITIONAL AUM FEES Assets Under Management (AUM) fees are the primary fees assessed by about 90% of all financial advisors. And they are typically the most expensive way to work with a financial advisor. However, that doesn't mean they are bad. Fundamentally, there are 3 groups of people when it comes to handling personal finances: Do-It-Yourselfers (DIY) are comfortable handling their finances on their own and don't need/want a financial advisor. Delegators may stress about handling their own investments or simply don't want to, or lack the time, and would rather pay an advisor to do so. Hybrids don't mind handling their own money, but still want access to a financial advisor. Fundamentally, Delegators should be working with a financial advisor, and an AUM fee model is fine. However, for Hybrid folks, who are not in need of money management, the AUM fee model might not be the most efficient way to get access to a financial advisor. Another option is working with an advice-only financial advisor who does not manage client money and, therefore, works with clients who would prefer to do it themselves (or want to learn). A Fee-Only Retainer is charged throughout the year, usually monthly or quarterly, and usually includes all services such as an annual Comprehensive Financial Plan, quarterly review of all financial accounts, client meetings, and any other needs. Basically, a client has full-time access to a financial advisor for a stated cost. This Fee-Only Retainer model also has fewer financial conflicts of interest. A traditional AUM advisor will have a financial incentive for the client to move as much money as possible into the managed account. This is not inherently bad, but it does create a FINANCIAL DISINCENTIVE for the advisor to recommend paying off debt, investing in real estate, using money to build a business, etc, even though that could be in the best interests of the client. Lastly, a Fee-Only Retainer model does not have any minimum assets requirement assessed by the majority of financial advisors, usually starting around $500k or more. What are your thoughts? #FinancialPlanning #FeeOnly #FinancialAdvisor #WealthManagement #PersonalFinance #MoneyManagement #Investing #FinancialIndependence #RetirementPlanning #FinanceTipsFin