Advice-Only™ Is Not a Fee Model – It’s a Structural Methodology
The Advice-Only™ Methodology is not a fee model. Advice-Only™ is a structural fiduciary design that separates financial advice from implementation-linked incentives. Because Advice-Only™ prohibits implementation-linked incentives, planning engagements are economically complete at delivery of advice — and any invoicing methods follow from that structure rather than defining it. In an Advice-Only™ engagement, advice must be […]
Advice-Only Declarations: 57 Predictions for the Future of Fiduciary Advice
With these 57 Advice-Only Declarations, we celebrate the 57 years since the founding of the financial planning profession. A brief history of the financial planning profession. The modern financial planning profession is widely traced to December 12, 1969, when Loren Dunton convened the First Conference on Financial Planning in Chicago—leading to the IAFP and the […]
Structural Separation Complements Fiduciary Duty: Solving the Two Masters Problem
If you ask most investors what protects them, you’ll hear the same answer: “My advisor is a fiduciary. Fiduciary is a powerful word backed by law. It implies loyalty, prudence, and undivided service to the client’s best interest. And the word duty adds an ongoing obligation to uphold and protect those qualities. But here’s the […]
Active vs. Passive Investing: Finding the Right Strategy for Your Financial Plan
When it comes to Active vs. Passive Investing, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The real question isn’t whether active or passive investing is “better”—it’s which approach fits you: your goals, your timeline, your preferences, and your broader financial plan. As a financial advisor, I help clients cut through the noise and build strategies that serve their […]
Why Experience Is the Product in Advice Only™ Financial Planning
In the financial services industry, advice and compensation are often intertwined, allowing economic incentives to influence recommendations and creating conflicts of interest. While firms may disclose these conflicts, the prevailing assumption is that every model has conflicts. That mindset leaves clients uncertain and second-guessing the guidance they receive. The formal definition of Advice-Only™ is defined […]
Advice-Only vs Fee-Only vs Flat-Fee vs Fee-For-Service
When seeking financial advice, you’ll encounter a confusing mix of terms—all promising “unbiased” help. Advice-Only vs Fee-Only vs Flat-Fee vs Fee-For-Service all sound like they should be conflict-free. But what’s the real difference? Here’s the uncomfortable truth: industry definitions leave room for hidden conflicts that shape your plan before you realize it. Because the industry […]
Advice-Only Financial Planning Services | Advice-Only™
Advice-Only® offers 40+ financial planning services delivered through the Advice-Only™ methodology—objective, transparent, and free from sales or solicitor referrals. Our standardized process creates an objective environment and keeps your interests first. 🎥 Guide to Financial Planning Services (YouTube) Core Advice-Only® Financial Planning Build a strong foundation. These core services help organize your finances, manage debt, […]
Advice-Only Financial Planning Methodology — Origins, Formalization, and Standards
In response to ongoing discussions regarding the origins and formalization of the advice-only financial planning model, this article clarifies the distinct contributions of several early advocates and distinguishes those contributions from the later formalization of a comprehensive Advice Only™ Methodology. Put simply: an Advice-Only financial planning methodology is not just a pricing preference—it is a […]
Why the Transparent Advisor Movement Isn’t So Transparent
The financial advice landscape is evolving, with new movements and philosophies emerging to address perceived shortcomings in traditional models. One such movement, the Transparent Advisor Movement (TAM), has gained traction by advocating for ‘advice-only’ models and emphasizing ‘transparency.’ However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the concept of ‘advice-only’ has been formalized previously. Notably through the […]
What To Know About Bonds (2025)
Fulfill retirement planning competence with 2024 Retirement Planning Basics, an exciting and comprehensive course from Advice Only®, and available from the Google Play and Apple stores.