Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the things people most often ask before working with me. Don’t see your question? Just ask — I’m happy to help.
Two things. Fiduciary means that when I provide advisory services, I am required to act in your best interest and put your interests ahead of my own. Fee-only means my advisory compensation comes directly from you, not from commissions, product sales, or referral payments. That helps keep the advice focused on your goals rather than on selling a product.
The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification reflects education, examination, experience, ethics, and ongoing continuing education requirements set by CFP Board. CFP® professionals are required to act as fiduciaries when providing financial advice. You can learn more at CFP Board.
Many advisory firms charge a percentage of assets under management, often called an AUM fee. Some advisors may also receive commissions or other compensation from financial products. My model is different: I charge flat planning fees based on the scope and complexity of the work, not the size of your investment account, and I do not sell financial products.
No. I do not take custody of your assets and I do not have discretionary trading authority. Your assets remain with the custodian or platform you choose, and you make the final decision about whether to implement any recommendation. I provide financial planning and non-discretionary investment advice.
Yes. I own and run my own registered investment adviser, Action Financial Planning — independently owned, with no sales targets — so I decide how advice is delivered — designed around your goals, not product sales or asset-based fees. Working solo keeps things personal, too: you work directly with me, not a rotating team. Behind the scenes, I also participate in the XY Planning Network, a national community of fee-only fiduciary advisors that provides professional resources, technology, compliance support, and shared expertise. You still work directly with me.
I work with people at every stage, with a special focus on those still building wealth:
While I work with clients across a variety of professions and life stages, my services are often a particularly good fit for professionals, business owners, real estate investors, and individuals seeking objective, fee-only financial planning.
No. I’m based in Twin Falls, Idaho and can meet with you locally by appointment, but I also work virtually by Microsoft Teams video or phone in any state where I’m registered or exempt from registration. If you’re not sure whether that includes your state, just ask.
It’s a relaxed, no-pressure conversation — usually by video or phone — to understand your goals, questions, and whether my services may be a good fit. There’s no cost and no obligation. I do not provide personalized financial planning or investment recommendations during the Discovery Call because an advisory relationship has not yet been established.
Four simple steps:
Whatever works for you. I offer in-person meetings in Twin Falls by appointment and virtual meetings wherever I’m registered. Working virtually is simple: a secure client portal, video meetings, and e-sign.
Mostly openness and engagement: be candid about your full financial picture, complete your questionnaire and upload documents before meetings, bring your questions (no question is too small), and take action on the recommendations that fit you. Planning works best as a partnership.
Yes. With your permission, I can collaborate with your CPA, attorney, insurance professional, and other trusted advisors to help ensure recommendations are coordinated across your financial life. I do not provide legal or tax advice, but I can help identify planning topics to discuss with those professionals.
That’s perfectly fine. Many people come to me for an independent second opinion. I can review your existing financial plan, investment strategy, or recommendations and help you determine whether they continue to align with your goals. Whether you decide to make changes is entirely up to you.
You pay a clear, flat planning fee based on the complexity of your situation:
Your exact fee is confirmed in your written agreement. Full details are in my Form ADV Part 2A.
An asset-based (AUM) fee is charged as a percentage of your assets, so the dollars you pay rise as your portfolio grows. A flat fee is based on the complexity of your plan, so it stays the same regardless of account size. Each structure has trade-offs, and which fits best depends on your situation and service needs. You can compare the two with the fee comparison calculator.
One-time planning fees are billed in two installments: 50% when you sign your advisory agreement and the remaining 50% before your plan presentation. Plan development begins once the agreement is signed and your first payment is received. Your exact fee, scope, and payment terms are confirmed in writing before work begins.
Yes, and it’s optional. You can keep guidance going with a monthly subscription (from $50/month for Evaluate to $195+/month for Executive, including planning meetings through the year) or an as-needed periodic check-in (from $625 to $2,500+) within two years of your plan, with no ongoing commitment.
Yes. Targeted financial planning — a focused session on a single question such as cash flow, benefits, education funding, or a second opinion — is billed at $275/hour with a one-hour minimum. I also provide retirement-plan consulting for employers (non-discretionary investment-menu review, education, and fiduciary support) at $325/hour or a flat scoped fee.
No. One advantage of my planning model is that you generally do not need to transfer your investment accounts to work with me. Because I provide non-discretionary financial planning and investment advice, your assets remain with the custodian or financial institution you choose.
Yes, when appropriate. Depending on the scope of your engagement, your financial plan may include investment recommendations, portfolio analysis, and an Investment Policy Statement. Because my services are non-discretionary, you decide whether and how to implement any recommendation.
Absolutely. Many clients choose to implement recommendations themselves, while others work with their existing financial institutions or other professionals. Because my services are non-discretionary, implementation decisions always remain yours.
It means you stay in the driver’s seat. I give you recommendations and explain what I suggest and why, but I can’t buy, sell, or move anything in your accounts on my own — nothing happens unless you decide to do it and place (or approve) the trade yourself. By contrast, with a “discretionary” advisor, you grant authority in advance to make investment decisions and place trades on your behalf, without needing your sign-off on each one. I work only on a non-discretionary basis, so the final call on every decision is always yours.
Yes — that’s your choice, and I’m glad to work with it. A robo-advisor is a low-cost online service that builds and automatically manages a diversified portfolio for you. One thing to understand: the account stays in your name and you own everything in it, but you grant the robo authority to place trades and rebalance for you — so you’re delegating the day-to-day investing to a third party. Either way, I stay non-discretionary: I never take custody of or trade your accounts, and I receive no compensation from robo-advisors or any other provider. I give you the plan and the guidance; you decide whether to implement it yourself or through a service like this.
Your information is gathered and stored through a secure client portal protected with strong encryption. I maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, limit access to those who need it, and never sell your information. See my Privacy Policy for full details.
Yes. Action Financial Planning, LLC is a registered investment adviser in the State of Idaho (CRD #338203). You can review my background and full disclosures anytime on my Form ADV / IAPD page.
Market volatility is normal, and your plan should account for it before it happens. I help you use diversified, evidence-based investment principles, appropriate asset allocation, and disciplined rebalancing guidelines rather than making reactive decisions based on headlines. Investment strategies involve risk, and no plan can eliminate market losses, but a thoughtful process can help you make decisions with more clarity.
You don’t need to decide before we talk. During the complimentary Discovery Call, we’ll discuss your goals and financial circumstances, and I’ll recommend the planning engagement that best fits your needs. Your fee and scope of services will always be confirmed in writing before any work begins.
The first step is simply a conversation. Schedule a complimentary Discovery Call to discuss your goals, ask questions, and determine whether Action Financial Planning is the right fit for you.