Financial planning that puts your goals first
Whether you need a one-time plan or ongoing guidance, our advisors focus on what’s best for you.
Use our search tool to find a planner who fits your needs.
All Garrett Planning Network advisors share a few key commitments
FEE ONLY
They are fee-only, meaning they are paid only by their clients with no commissions or hidden incentives.
Fiduciaries
They act as fiduciaries, always putting your best interests first.
Time-based services
They offer time-based services, including hourly or project-based options.
no minimum asset requirements
They impose no minimum asset requirements for hourly or project-based financial planning engagements.
Education & Expertise
Our members are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals (CFP® practitioners) or are working toward the certification, which must be earned within five years of joining Garrett Planning Network. The only alternative credential accepted is the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation for CPAs, which is subject to the same requirement.
You Asked, We Answered
What is a financial planner or advisor?
A financial planner or advisor helps individuals and families make informed decisions about their money and work toward their financial goals. Advisors may provide guidance on budgeting, saving, investing, retirement planning, taxes, insurance, education funding, estate planning, and other financial matters.
Because anyone can call themselves a financial planner or advisor, it is important to understand an advisor’s qualifications, credentials, and standards before engaging their services. Most Garrett advisors offer a no-obligation Get Acquainted meeting to discuss your goals and determine whether the relationship is a good fit.
How can a financial advisor help me?
Anyone, any age looking for financial peace of mind can benefit from working with a good financial advisor either periodically or on a regular basis. Garrett Planning Network members serve people at all income levels, whether the need is ongoing financial assessment, management, or direction. Because their fees are on an hourly or project-based basis, Garrett advisors offer an accessible option for beginners, middle-income Americans, and do-it-yourselfers to get quality financial and investment advice.
Garrett members also provide corporations and organizations financial education programs for employees or members.
Each individual’s situation is unique. Someone just starting out may need a detailed, long-term plan of action while someone else already on the road to achieving their goals simply may need a new strategy, professional insight, fine-tuning or second opinion of an existing plan. That’s why Garrett advisors work to custom tailor their services to meet each individual’s needs.
Goals can be short, intermediate, or long-term. Reducing current income tax liabilities, for example, is a short-term goal, while funding a child’s education is an intermediate one, and enjoying a secure financial retirement is a more long-term goal.
By focusing on cash flow, investments, taxes, pensions and retirement plans, estate planning, insurance issues, savings opportunities, and other general financial matters, Garrett Planning Network advisors can design a customized financial plan for you.
What makes Garrett Planning Network Financial Advisors different?
Garrett Members adhere to four key standards.
- Fee-only: GPN members are compensated solely by their clients. No commissions from any source are received by the advisor.
- Fiduciary: All GPN members put the needs of their clients first.
- Time-based services: All GPN members offer time-based financial advising services. We define this as either work done on an hourly basis or as a fixed project-fee derived from an hourly rate.The advisor may provide other services as well, such as a retainer option or asset management.
- No minimums: Advisors provide time-based financial planning services to individuals without any minimum requirements as to income, assets, or net worth and no requirement for on-going services.
In addition, Garrett advisors are required to be CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals (CFP® practitioners) or actively working toward the certification. They complete extensive professional education, adhere to rigorous ethical standards, and are registered investment advisors regulated at either the state or federal level. Members also agree to uphold both the CFP Board Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct and the NAPFA Fiduciary Oath.
Do Garrett advisors provide only comprehensive financial planning?
No. While a comprehensive financial plan often provides the greatest long-term benefit, Garrett advisors can also focus on specific areas of concern, such as cash flow and budgeting, investment analysis, retirement planning, or education funding. Services can be tailored to your needs, whether you are looking for comprehensive planning or guidance on a particular financial issue.
How do I get started?
Click here to search for an advisor in your area and to set up your no-obligation Get Acquainted meeting. Contact us if you need personal assistance.
At your Get Acquainted meeting with a Garrett member, he or she will then discuss your immediate financial planning needs and provide a firm estimate of the charges involved, the data needed, and when the work will be completed.
Explore our full FAQ list here