Advisory Fees

An investor’s chances of doing well in the financial markets are significantly improved if they keep advisory fees to a minimum. Over a long period, high management fees and related expenses can have a significant drag on wealth creation. Let’s examine the magnitude to which the cost of a financial advisor (even if they charge … Read more

Fiduciary vs. Suitability – key reasons it matters!

It does not sound like much, but these two words, fiduciary versus suitability, are critical to determining the type of care and investment advice you receive from your financial professional. Fiduciary standard vs. suitability standard of care What is the difference between fiduciary and suitability? In a nutshell, fiduciary advisors have to put the client’s … Read more

Average financial advisor fees – are you paying more than you should be?

What financial advisor should charge as fees is a topic of much debate. Unfortunately, there is little centralized reporting of data on what average financial advisor fees are. Here is our take, based upon industry data and our anecdotal experiences as financial advisors. Does the cost of financial advice matter? Yes, absolutely. What it costs to work … Read more

K-1 Tax Form for dummies: clear, easy guide (with screenshots!)

Whenever we hear the topic of form K-1 discussed, it’s always explained using highly technical language that is almost impossible for the average investor to decipher. We’re taking a much better approach. Here’s our clearly explained guide to the K-1 tax form, including an explanation of what the different parts of the K-1 mean, as well … Read more

So…how much do financial advisors ACTUALLY cost?

While there is much written about what they do, there is very little offered up to answer the question of what do financial advisors cost. In this article we will discuss: Finding a good, cost-effective financial advisor How do financial advisors earn money? Wealth managers are paid through advisory fees, which can be charged a few … Read more

Are financial advisors fiduciaries – all, or just some of them?

The question of if financial advisors are fiduciaries can be confusing. In this article, we will clearly discuss the different types of financial advisors, define what a fiduciary is, and clarify which advisors within the industry fit into this category. What is a financial advisor? A financial advisor is a professional who renders guidance which may include, … Read more

Low-cost ETFs: what you need to know

Low-cost ETFs are a popular choice for many investors. In this article, you’ll learn the benefits of investing in low-fee Exchanged Traded Funds, what makes a good one, and how to tell if an ETF is low-cost or not. What is an ETF? To offer a simple definition, an ETF, or Exchange Traded Fund, is a … Read more