FAQ
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We want you to have the information you need to make the financial decisions that are best for you—whether it benefits us or not.
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Frequently Asked Questions
“Why do I need a financial planner?”
A financial planner can help you sort through your goals and priorities, and make sure that what you’re doing gives you the highest probability of a secure and fulfilling future.
“How does financial planning work?”
Done right, financial planning should be a fun exploration of your wishes in life, followed by a pretty deep dive into your current situation. What flows next is a set of recommendations that helps you put your entire financial house in order, and keep it that way!
“What is included in your services?”
There are different ways we work with clients. In some cases, we build a financial plan and provide guidance on how to implement the recommendations in the plan. In others, we manage investment accounts and portfolios. For many of our clients, we do both!
“Stages Planning Group is a ‘fee-only financial planner.’ What does that mean?”
“Fee-Only” means we are only paid by our clients. We do not receive compensation or bonuses from the investment companies we choose. This means our recommendations are based solely on your best interests–not on us receiving any bonuses or kickbacks.
“What is your fee structure?”
For investment management, our fees are 1.2% of managed assets per year or lower.
For financial planning, a typical fee ranges from $3600 to $8000 depending on the complexity of the plan.
“How is Stages Planning Group different from other financial advisors?”
Our clients tell us it’s because we listen. We don’t talk AT our clients in an attempt to impress them with our knowledge. Rather, we ask questions and listen, so we can understand the best ways to help you.
“Is Stages Planning Group a fiduciary?”
Yes. This is a popular word in the financial press – being a fiduciary means we have an obligation to put our clients’ needs first. In practice, it means you receive full disclosure of: our compensation, known conflicts of interest, and even potential conflicts of interest.
“Who is not a good fit for Stages Planning Group?”
We find it easier to be inclusive rather than exclusionary, but here are some types of folks we don’t work best with:
People who want to “time the market”
People who want to “learn all about _____” (and expect us to teach them)
People who don’t have things or people in their lives that are more important than money.
“What is Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing, and do you offer it?”
ESG Investing is a framework to shape your investments so they align with the broad goals of more justice and more transparency. We use the concept of ESG as a tool to reduce or eliminate investing in companies that do not meet those standards, and to screen IN those that do. We offer ESG investing because we believe aligning actions with values is an essential component of a truly fulfilling life.
“Do I need to have a ton of money saved up to work with you?”
No, we do not have a minimum investment amount. In fact, we’ve helped many people “get started!”
“How does an IRA/Simple plan/Roth work?”
An IRA is an individual retirement account, and a Roth is a special version of that. These accounts are funded directly by you and have “some” tax implications depending on the type.
A SIMPLE IRA is an employer-based retirement plan, designed for smaller employers, that works a bit like a 401(k) without some of the administrative burden.
“How do I move a 401K?”
Each 401K plan has its own forms and requirements. We can help you navigate those!
Most of the time, the best way to move your 401k is directly. A direct move means that you don’t legally take possession of the money, so it’s not taxed as income. It goes directly into a different plan – another 401k, a SIMPLE Plan or an IRA.
You do not want to take the money out of your 401K and deposit it into your checking account… there are taxes and potential penalties for doing that!
“Do I have enough to retire? Will my family and I be okay?”
The answers to these questions are exactly what we seek every day! Our goal is to keep our clients on track over the long-term, as things come up and life gets bumpy sometimes. We are here for you as a long-term partner, to help you make the right moves and adapt to changes in your income and your life.
Tell us where you want to go and we’ll help get you there.
Schedule a consultation to get started.