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Know Exactly What You Pay Your Financial Advisor—And Why.

Beware of financial advisors who only speak in percentages. Typically, it’s a gimmick used to soften what you’re actually paying. At PDS, we talk in dollars and cents. It’s our refreshing, honest approach to fee-only financial planning. You know exactly what you are paying, and why.

When We Say Fee-Only, We Actually Mean It. 

We have attempted to remove any conflicts of interest so that we can focus on giving you truly objective financial advice. When selecting and working with a financial advisor, it’s important that you receive objective advice that’s truly in your best interest.

Transparent Fee-Only Structure

We have a very straightforward fee structure. We charge a clear fee for the time and resources to do the financial planning and work required.

Dollars, Not Percentages

We believe it’s unfair for you to pay more simply because you’re worth more. That’s the penalty of a percentage-based fee. Our fixed-dollar fees reflect our work, not your net worth.

No Commissions

We don’t receive compensation for the sale of securities, insurance products, or other investments.

No Performance-Based Fees

Performance-based compensation creates an incentive for advisors to recommend riskier investments. Our fee structure ensures we are working in your best interest, your financial goals and plans.

No Hidden Costs

We don’t pay referral fees to third-parties, participate in wrap-fee programs, or charge fees for work we don’t perform.

We Work For You

Some firms make money from referral fees. Not at PDS. The only person who pays us is you.

We Don’t Charge More Because You Have More.

Traditional percentage-based fees only benefit the advisor, not the customer. Most advisors or brokers base their fees on a percentage of your assets. You pay more simply because you have or are making more. You also pay more every time you save more! We think this is fundamentally unfair because more money doesn’t necessarily mean more complexity, or work. That’s why at PDS, we charge a fee based on your needs.

PLEASE NOTE: Limitations. The above is for illustration purposes only. The Traditional Planner fee estimate is based on Advisory HQ’s independent 2021 average financial advisors fee report. Although fees impact investment performance, no specific fee structure can produce positive investment returns. To the contrary, different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended and/or undertaken by PDS Planning, Inc.) will be profitable.

Our Flat Dollar Fees Seek to Help Grow Your Portfolio.

Our fee structure is designed to minimize fees while maximizing growth. Less fees can keep more of your money invested. And that means more funds in your retirement or investment accounts.

PLEASE NOTE: Limitations. The above is for illustration purposes only. This analysis assumes a $2,000,000 starting value, $25,000 of annual contributions for 25 years and 5% annual gross rate of return over a 25 year time period for both the projected Traditional Planner and PDS Planning Client. The Traditional Planner fee estimate is based on Advisory HQ’s independent 2021 average financial advisors fee report. This also assumes 1% annual inflation to the PDS Planning fixed fee. Although fees impact investment performance, no specific fee structure can produce positive investment returns. To the contrary, different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended and/or undertaken by PDS Planning, Inc.) will be profitable.

Who We Serve

Over 30 years, we’ve proven that the work, time, and resources required to achieve your goals is often defined by where you are in your financial journey.

Portfolio Management

Your planning, business and legal needs are satisfied. You want professional investment management and back-office support under a flat, fee-only structure. We serve as your Outsourced CIO. Typical clients include Ultra High Net Worth individuals, foundations, endowments, nonprofits, and family offices seeking management of their public securities portfolios.

This is likely you if...

This is likely the plan you need if you:

  • Recognize the need for sound, professional investment counsel
  • Investment assets are generally $1 million dollars or more
  • Want to preserve and grow your wealth using tax-efficient strategies and low-cost investments
  • Desire objective advice and access to all investment opportunities without the conflicts of interest most advisors have because of their fee structure
  • Recognize paying a percentage fee based on the investment assets you have accumulated is not a fair representation of the value received from an advisor

Wealth Management

You recognize life has become too busy, you can no longer do this on your own, and need to delegate your financial planning strategy to a team of professional advisors. Typical clients will have $1 – $10 million of investment assets wanting a flat fee schedule stated in dollars, not a percentage of their investment assets. We believe this eliminates many of the conflicts traditional advisors face.

This is likely you if...

This is likely the plan you need if you:

  • Want a financial plan with conflict-free advice not focused on assets under management or selling products
  • Desire to work with an advisor whose fee structure is based on the complexity of your plan, not the amount of assets you have to invest
  • Want an advisor who is keenly aware of tax implications and strives to reduce them
  • Have considered private investments to further diversify your portfolio
  • Wish to review existing investments such as life insurance and annuities and determine if they fit your financial plan
  • Need guidance on your stock options and potential concentration risk
  • Need to create liquidity from your business to support your retirement lifestyle
  • Have a blended family with complex estate planning considerations
  • Want a strategy to maximize charitable giving and related tax benefits

Advanced Planning

You have complex challenges and need more than traditional wealth management. We serve as your Personal CFO to help preserve, grow and transfer your wealth. Typical clients will have investment assets in excess of $10 million dollars and do not want to be charged excessive advisor fees simply because they have significant wealth.

This is likely you if...

This is likely the plan you need if you:

  • Need someone to coordinate your planning strategies, including tax, insurance, estate and philanthropy
  • Want to organize and properly track your financial assets in one place
  • Have generated a level of wealth that requires very customized planning solutions
  • Recognize the responsibility of preserving multi-generational wealth and are concerned about how to introduce or transfer wealth to your children
  • Have had a recent liquidity event or financial windfall
  • Need someone to serve as a sounding board to complex decisions, which may not always be financial

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It’s Your Future. Let’s Plan For It, Together.

We are fee-only financial advisors who charge a fair fixed fee for our services. We’d love to meet you and discuss your needs.

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