Flat Fee Financial Planning
For millennials who want to plan for the future without putting their entire life on hold.
You can – and should – have both.
Managing your finances based on vibes is not the vibe.
Making the money isn’t your problem – in fact, you’re finally seeing the financial return on your career investments (you know, the ones you’ve been making out of your blood, sweat, and tears).
It’s what to do with the money you’re making that’s making you nervous.
Because now that you finally have it, of course you want to make better, smarter decisions with it… as soon as you figure out which decisions you need to make, what your options are, and how to actually implement said decisions. 😅
You deserve to actually enjoy the money you’re making – like, really enjoy it.
You know, like taking your dream trip and not worrying that you’re spending away Future You’s financial security. Putting in an offer on a place you’re obsessed with, instead of stressing that it’s “too much house” for your income. Maxing out your 401(k) and booking the kitchen reno – because you actually know how both fit into the bigger picture.
Reaching that level of financial confidence requires a plan – and a *lot* of decisions.
And let me tell you, it’s much easier to make big decisions (and feel good about them) when you have a financial planner who can show you the numbers, walk you through the options, back them up with a data-driven model that aims to answer every “what if” scenario keeping you up at night, and make sure you’re setting yourself up well at every step.
Flat Fee Financial Planning
No surprises here!
I’ll review your finances top to bottom (from your current situation to your goals for the future) and develop a rock-solid plan to help you get there.
The actual contents of your financial plan depend on your income, assets, goals, and more – but here’s a peek into just some of the things I consider when helping you plan for your financial future.
Life & Disability Insurance
✓ Making sure you have enough insurance coverage (and not more than you need)
✓ Reviewing life, health, disability, property, casualty, and long-term care insurance
✓ Coordinating with your partner’s benefits
Investment Planning
✓ Helping you with your investment strategy across pre-tax, post-tax, and taxable brokerage accounts
✓ College & health savings account guidance
✓ Concentrated stock planning
✓ Optimizing asset location of investments
Planning for Savings
✓ Helping you prioritize between retirement, home, and college savings
✓ Building models that help you see the trade-offs of early retirement, sabbaticals, etc.
✓ Mapping out a savings strategy that supports your goals without putting your lifestyle on hold
Tax Planning
✓ Reviewing your tax setup to spot missed opportunities
✓ Deciding which type of retirement contribution makes sense for you
✓ Helping you avoid underpayment penalties & unexpected tax bills
Home Ownership
✓ Figuring out the right time to buy a home for you
✓ Helping you decide how much house to buy & how to structure your down payment
✓ Weighing the pros and cons of renting vs. buying in your specific situation
Cash Flow Strategy
✓ Understanding what you’re earning, spending, and saving
✓ Strategizing around irregular or bonus-based income
✓ Creating a system for managing surplus income without restricting your lifestyle
$7,500
$5,000
for couples & combined finances
for individuals
Support for here-and-now and the long run.
If you’d like real-time support to implement your financial plan (and someone to panic-email when your car breaks down and you need to make decisions about how to buy another one), you can continue with implementation support for $250/month (or a financial plan update, should your circumstances ever change).
As a flat-fee financial planner, I'm here to make things easy. Your investment includes your complete financial plan, and the length of time we work together varies by complexity + your needs. I also offer implementation services and check-ins, should you need support beyond the initial creation of your plan!
Behind The Scenes Of Flat-Fee Financial Planning
I operate Better Planning as a flat-fee financial planner, which means:
✓ I’m paid a clear, transparent amount directly by you, not through commissions or product sales.
✓ I always act as a fiduciary, which means I’m legally obligated to put YOUR best interests first.
✓ You’ll always know exactly what you’re paying for – and exactly what you’re getting in return.
01. Complimentary Consultation
We’ll *officially* meet on a (free!) consultation call to talk goals, income, assets, and how I can support you. This is a completely pressure-free call, and a chance for us both to make sure we’re a great fit.
02. Document Prep
You’ll upload all of your financial documents to your client portal (basically, everything with a dollar sign on it – don’t worry, I’ll give you a checklist). This lets me see the full picture so your plan is actually built around your life.
03. Initial Planning Call
We’ll meet on a video call to walk through an official State Of The Finances review, get aligned on priorities, and start mapping your goals to real strategies. My goal is for you to leave our call feeling more in control, and with the peace of mind that I’ve got it from here.
04. Planning Time
Over the next few months, we’ll have a series of meetings to build your comprehensive plan, model different scenarios and map out clear, customized recommendations. Every strategy is filtered through your goals, lifestyle, and tax impact. We’ll tailor the meeting schedule to match the needs of your plan – some clients need more touchpoints, others less. Either way, I’m always a quick email away for questions.
05. Plan Delivery
We’ll review everything together, and I’ll make sure you have a prioritized action list (so you know exactly what to do next, and why it matters).
06. Optional Implementation Support
Need a partner to help implement everything? I offer ongoing, completely optional monthly support – so that not only does it all get done, but you’ve also got real-time financial backup for when life throws a curveball (like layoffs, surprise expenses, or emergency car purchases).
You could create your own financial plan…but who’s going to save you from yourself?
You’re more than capable of doing research, reading books, and learning how to DIY the beginnings of a financial plan – but you really don’t know what you don’t know, which is exactly what I’m here for. I’ll make sure your financial plan is built on solid ground, backed by modeling and projections that show you how different decisions could play out — so you’re not just guessing, you’re planning with clarity.
Whether you’d like an outside opinion on how to combine your finances now that you’re married, figuring out where to send money next (Kids’ college? Car? House?), or just insight into how to secure and grow your money over time, I’ll aim to help you make the smart, informed decisions that move you forward – and send you off into your financially-prepared future with peace of mind and a solid plan.
(Or maybe even save you and your spouse from each other…?)
You’re more than capable of doing research, reading books, and learning how to DIY the beginnings of a financial plan – but you really don’t know what you don’t know, which is exactly what I’m here for. I’ll make sure your financial plan is built on solid ground, backed by modeling and projections that show you how different decisions could play out — so you’re not just guessing, you’re planning with clarity.
Whether you’d like an outside opinion on how to combine your finances now that you’re married, figuring out where to send money next (Kids’ college? Car? House?), or just insight into how to secure and grow your money over time, I’ll aim to help you make the smart, informed decisions that move you forward – and send you off into your financially-prepared future with peace of mind and a solid plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t see the answer to your question? Email me at chelsea@startbetterplanning.com!
Yes, as a CFP® professional, I’m required to operate as a fiduciary at all times – which just means I’ll always make recommendations based on your best interest (which was always true, but the letters make it official).
Nope! I charge a flat fee (instead of the more “traditional” percentage-of-assets-fee), so there’s no minimum – and no hidden costs.
Of course! Many of my clients have classic 9-to-5 jobs with a side hustle, their own businesses, or plans to start their own businesses. I consider “untraditional” income to be the new traditional, and will tailor your plans to your exact season of life.