F.A.Q.

Financial Planning can be integrated and comprehensive, where all elements of your financial affairs (like retirement planning, investments, insurance and college funding) are brought together into a coordinated, cohesive plan. Or, it can be very specific, focusing just on a single issue of importance or concern to you. In either case, financial planning is a multi-step process that provides you with two important deliverables. First, an in-depth review of your current situation (either comprehensive or specific, depending on your planning objective) and secondly, a road map that provides clear direction on how to achieve your planning goal(s). It is important to remember that financial planning is a dynamic process, not a single, one-time event. The economy, your planning objectives and earned income can all change, necessitating a revisit of the road map.

Any individual, couple or family seeking financial advice can benefit from our services. As a member of the Garrett Planning Network, we have taken a pledge to offer our services to all persons, regardless of their income or assets. We welcome clients who simply want a one-time financial review or are interested in a second opinion before making a major financial decision. Equally welcome are those persons who are seeking ongoing financial coaching and plan monitoring over a longer period of time.

Our Financial Planning fees are determined on a project basis.  The total fee for a financial plan will vary from client to client based on the specific needs and complexity of the situation.  An estimate is provided after the free Get Acquainted Meeting, when your current personal needs are fully identified.  My hourly fee is $200 and most of our full plans range from $2,200 to $3,200. Smaller projects may be lower cost and more complex plans may be above this range.

Any organization (profit or non-profit) wanting to provide unbiased, conflict of interest free advice and financial education to their employees can benefit from our services. We can also provide financial advice and coaching to rank and file employees and/or senior executives on a retainer basis. Your employees will appreciate the fact that you have engaged an independent, fee-only firm, thus eliminating the possibility of sales pressure related to product sales or bundled services. Call us for details (910) 867-8464 in Fayetteville or (919) 627-1567 in Durham.

Our fees are based on the time we spend meeting with you, either in-person or over the phone, researching and analyzing your situation, and formulating our recommendations that are specific to your situation. Before you hire us, we will always provide you with a written quote of the full cost of the engagement. We fully disclose all of our fees. We offer an initial consultation, up to one hour, that is complimentary to prospective clients. Following the delivery of our financial plan, if you have questions or need clarification on anything we recommend, please feel free to give us a call. We will not bill for modest amounts of additional time spent during the 30-day period after we present our recommendations to you. We realize that our plan must be understood by you to secure the necessary emotional ownership required for full implementation.

We will advise you on financial products such as investments and insurance, but we do not sell them or receive any benefit from their sale. We can recommend ethical and competent insurance agents to assist you in addressing an insurance need, or we can help you to secure coverage through the services of a no or low-load Internet-based insurance company. We can also assist you in establishing a brokerage account at a discount broker (Fidelity, Scottrade, Vanguard, Schwab, T.D. Ameritrade, and etc.). We can provide minimal or full support in helping you create an online brokerage account. For more information on this service, call (910) 867-8464 in Fayetteville or (919) 627-1567 in Durham.

Our fees are based on the time we spend meeting with you, either in-person or over the phone, researching and analyzing your situation, and formulating our recommendations that are specific to your situation. Before you hire us, we will always provide you with a written quote of the full cost of the engagement. We fully disclose all of our fees. We offer an initial consultation, up to one hour, that is complimentary to prospective clients. Following the delivery of our financial plan, if you have questions or need clarification on anything we recommend, please feel free to give us a call. We will not bill for modest amounts of additional time spent during the 30-day period after we present our recommendations to you. We realize that our plan must be understood by you to secure the necessary emotional ownership required for full implementation.

For a complete description of the financial planning services offered by Stalwart Financial Planning, review our services.

Yes, with certain limitations. Section 212 of the Internal Revenue Code permits an itemized deduction for tax and/or investment advice in the miscellaneous section of Schedule A on your Federal Income tax return. It is currently subject to a 2 percent floor of adjusted gross income.

The “7 Steps” approach was designed to clearly communicate the way that we work our clients and to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the financial planner and the client.  Review a detailed description “7 Steps” process.

If you are looking for help getting your financial life in order, we can assist you. We offer a no-fee, no-obligation “Get Acquainted” meeting so that you can see how we work and decide if it’s the right fit for you. You can schedule an introductory meeting by email or phone. Our office is in Fayetteville, NC, but we also have a location in Durham, NC. There are three easy ways for you to get started:

1) Click “Let’s Start a Conversation” at the bottom of the page

2) Email us at info@StalwartPlanning.com to schedule an introductory meeting.

3) Call us at (910) 867-8464 (Fayetteville, NC location), or call (919) 627-1567 (Durham, NC location).

Although an investment advisory fee of 1% of assets under management may seem like a modest price to pay for investment management, when compounded over time, this “modest” fee can add up to some very large sums of money. Please review the “Comparative Cost Analysis of Investment Management” that illustrates the cost savings that can accrue to those investors who are willing, with professional guidance from a fee-only financial planner, to take more control and involvement in managing their investments. Please call us with any questions at (910) 867-8464.