Pricing
Simple, transparent pricing
The Mid-Career Blueprint and Retirement Blueprint are available for a one-time, flat fee of $4,900. Compared to traditional AUM models, this flat fee approach can save tens of thousands over 5 years, and substantially more over multiple decades. By design, this comprehensive review is all most self-directed investors will need.
For clients seeking a continuous relationship after completing a blueprint, ongoing advisory services are structured as a flat fee based on complexity and cadence. Hourly options may also be available.
5 reasons a flat fee is superior for investors:
Reason #1: Cost Effectiveness
Significant savings vs AUM models
Traditional wealth management firms often charge ~1.0% of assets under management (an “AUM” fee.) It may seem small in percentage terms, but it can equate to significant dollars. And you pay the fee every single year.
This example shows how a client with a $2m portfolio could pay $100k in fees over a 5-year time period with a traditional advisor. And the reality is probably even worse: your fee increases as the market goes up.
In contrast, the Blueprint costs a one-time fee of $4,900, leading to over $95k in savings for this hypothetical client.
| Year | Traditional (1% AUM) | Crewson Financial | Net Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $20,000 | $4,900 | $15,100 |
| 2 | $20,000 | $0 | $20,000 |
| 3 | $20,000 | $0 | $20,000 |
| 4 | $20,000 | $0 | $20,000 |
| 5 | $20,000 | $0 | $20,000 |
| 5-Yr Total | $100,000 | $4,900 | $95,100 |
Reason #2: Long-term Impact
The Long-term Impact of Fees
Illustrative growth of a $2m portfolio at an 8% gross return vs 7% net return
The staggering cost of ongoing fees
A 1% fee sounds small in isolation, but when applied to a growing balance sheet, it creates a massive asymmetry over time. Consider the geometric divergence on the same illustrative $2m portfolio:
8% annual return: The uncompromised, optimized portfolio
7% annual return: The same portfolio with a traditional 1% AUM fee drag.
By Year 30, the optimized portfolio is $4.9m larger. By Year 50, avoiding that silent 1% annual drain leaves your family nearly $34.9m richer.
Reason #3: Simplicity
Simple is often better
To justify the high fees, the traditional advisor is likely going to pursue a more exotic and actively managed investment strategy. After all, why would clients pay tens of thousands of dollars each year just to buy-and-hold index funds?
Complex strategies often sound sophisticated, but the data tells a different story. According to SPIVA’s research, only ~5% of actively managed equity funds beat their benchmark over 20 years on a risk-adjusted basis (see report 1b).
Simple low-cost portfolios are not only easier to manage, but they often generate higher returns after fees. My goal is to help you achieve simplicity so you get the best of both worlds.
Reason #4: Transparency
You should know what you are paying
Traditional wealth managers typically automatically deduct their fee from your portfolio. Out of sight, out of mind. This makes it easy for many people to miss how much they are actually paying.
In contrast, at Crewson Financial I’ll invoice you directly at the end of the project for the amount we agreed upon upfront in the contract. No hidden fees. No surprises.
Reason #5: Conflicts of Interest
Focused on what’s best for you
The traditional AUM-based advisor is paid based on the size of the portfolio that they manage. Under this construct, they may be reluctant to advise you to take assets out of your investment portfolio and pay down your mortgage. Similarly, they have extra incentive for you to rollover a 401(k) into the IRA that they manage.
Because I don’t manage assets or sell products, my recommendations are based solely on what’s best for you — not on how much you invest or what you buy.
It’s impossible for any commercial relationship to completely eradicate all conflicts of interest, but I believe the flat fee / hourly model minimizes them.