The Advice-Only Model
Alta Via provides ongoing, comprehensive financial planning services without investment management through our “Advice-Only” approach. This model is a good fit for those with the Time, Desire, and Ability to implement recommendations. As your guide and accountability partner, we’ll provide support, answer questions, and offer screen-sharing assistance to build your investment confidence. Your timely participation powers the journey toward your adventure-driven financial goals.
Advice-Only financial planning with us may be right for you if any of the following resonate:
• I’ve reached the limits of my DIY financial knowledge
• I need professional insight to identify blind spots
• I feel comfortable implementing recommendations such as placing investment trades
• I want to maintain full control of my finances and investments
• I value transparent fees based on my situation’s complexity, not portfolio size
• I seek a financial planner focused on me as a human and my unique goals, not the size of my portfolio or net worth
• I see the value of ongoing financial planning services to ensure I don’t miss something
What we cover
Financial goals, athletic goals, life goals – I want to know them all! Let’s have a conversation with your 90 year old self to help uncover how to align your money with your values.
One of the foundational pieces of your financial plan, here we will construct your current cash flow, and determine your level of spending. Then, based on your values and the priority of your financial goals, we will construct an optimized cash flow and budget, and discuss steps for turning that cash flow into a reality.
Gone are the days of working at the same employer for 30 years and then retiring. What is your ideal scenario? Maybe you plan to stay in your fast-paced tech job for another 10 years, but then want the option to back off the gas a bit. Or how about a mid-career sabbatical and tour around in a Sprinter van for a year? We will help you map out the possibilities.
Alta Via Financial Planning believes in a passive investment strategy that does not attempt to beat market returns. We will recommend low-cost index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and establish a portfolio allocation that is in line with the overall market and your own personal risk tolerance. As a result, we don’t need to review your quarterly portfolio returns, but instead focus on things that you have control over, such as progress toward your financial and life goals. We will help to prepare you for the inevitable market downturns, and then hold your hand during those market storms, to keep you from making a decision you may regret.
We will conduct a review of your most recent tax return to determine ways to optimize your tax situation. We will help to identify strategies for retirement savings, charitable giving, and reducing stock concentrations with the goal of tax-efficiency in mind. For ongoing service clients, we will also meet with and collaborate with your tax preparer, as needed.
It is not uncommon for parents to have sticker shock upon hearing the price for a college education these days. Add in the cost of private tuition for primary and secondary education, and things start to really add up. We will discuss what percentage of the college education costs you would like to cover, as well as which institution you would like to plan for (Stanford or Yale, or an in-state public school?). We will also cover where to be saving for this goal, and how to invest the funds.
We will discuss all the considerations for employer stock awards such as Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), stock options (both ISOs and NQSOs), as well as Employer Stock Purchase Plans (ESPP). What to do with them, tax considerations, as well as avoiding a concentrated stock position.
This financial planning topic can be difficult for clients, as it involves discussing life events that you don’t ever want to imagine happening. It is nonetheless important, in order to minimize the financial impact if they do occur.
- Review of your disability, life and property and casualty insurance.
- Guidance on estate planning and the documents to have prepared.
- Review that your account titling is in-line with your wishes.
- Establish an adequate emergency reserve.
Our Process
The Route to Success
Relationship Fit Meeting
45 minutes
In this complimentary meeting we will get to know each other, assess a mutual fit, and share about our firm model, pricing, and next steps.
Onboarding Meeting
90 minutes
We collect necessary information and focus on your concerns, values, and goals to understand your unique needs and organize your financial life.
Uncovering Possibilities Meeting
60 minutes
Analyze, evaluate, and refine your financial status using our planning software to align with your goals and values.
Tailored Plan Meeting
60 minutes
Develop and present the financial planning strategies. Depending on the scope of your plan, two or more plan meetings could be necessary.
Extending the Relationship
Ongoing
Once your Initial Plan is complete, you may choose to extend the relationship by moving into an Ongoing Services relationship. We will meet semi-annually to update your plan and ensure that you are staying on track with your financial goals.
Pricing
We are currently taking new clients for Ongoing Services. New clients should expect the 1st year of fees to cost between $9,000 and $12,000 (includes Phase 1 and Phase 2 below). After that, only the Ongoing Services annual fee will apply, between $6,000 and $8,000, depending on complexity. All prices are based on our $400 hourly fee and are paid in arrears.
Phase 1: Plan Foundations
The starting point for all new clients, this onboarding phase covers the first 3 meetings of the ROUTE process over the course of 6 to 8 weeks. We will gather the necessary information to:
Draft your Net Worth and Cash Flow Outline your financial life goals Review initial retirement projections Begin crafting your investment strategy
Fee: $3,600 - $5,000*
*Depending on complexity. Fee due upon completion of Uncovering Possibilities Meeting.
Phase 2: Ongoing Services
Once onboarding is complete, Ongoing Services will begin with a new, annual agreement. We will dive into detailed recommendations surrounding cash flow, investing and all other areas applicable to your situation. We will meet at least two times per year, and more as needed. See Client Service Calendar for a typical year and services covered.
Fee: $6,000 - $8,000*
*Billed quarterly in arrears