Hourly Financial Planning
Together Planning’s hourly financial planning is designed for DIY investors seeking expert financial guidance without ongoing fees or product sales. Whether you need a professional second opinion or help navigating a major financial decision, we provide clear, actionable recommendations to help you move forward with confidence.
Our financial reviews are written in plain English, making it easy to implement recommendations on your own. If you ever need additional support, Together Planning is available for financial check-ups as needed—on your terms.
Hourly Financial Planning Topics
Cash Flow & Retirement Counsel
Are you on track to reach your financial goals? We provide guidance on key decisions, including:
When can you afford to retire?
What is the most tax-efficient way to withdraw from your accounts?
How should you claim Social Security or elect your pension?
What strategies can help reduce your income tax burden?
How should you save for education expenses?
Is now the right time to buy a home?
Are you maximizing your employee benefits?
How can you incorporate charitable giving into your financial plan?
Investment Analysis
Is your investment portfolio aligned with your goals and risk tolerance? We help answer questions such as:
Are your current investments cost-effective?
Does your portfolio have the right asset allocation?
Which mutual funds or ETFs should you consider?
Insurance Sufficiency
Do you have the right insurance coverage to protect yourself and your loved ones? We evaluate:
What types and amounts of insurance do you need?
Does your current coverage meet your financial goals?
Are there better insurance options available?
Estate Planning Design
Have you structured your estate plan efficiently? We help you consider:
What are your estate planning goals?
How is your current estate plan designed?
Are there alternative strategies that better align with your objectives?
Hourly Financial Planning Process
Our five-step financial planning process ensures you receive a structured, actionable financial review tailored to your needs.
1. Introductory Call (20 min, free). A complimentary call to determine if Together Planning’s hourly services are the right fit for you. Prior to the call, please complete a Confidential Personal Profile.
2. Sign Agreements & Gather Data. If you choose to move forward, we’ll provide an engagement agreement and a secure document upload link to collect your financial details.
3.Financial Review Consultation (2 hours). We’ll review a preliminary financial plan that outlines key areas of your financial picture. During this session, we’ll discuss potential recommendations, refine assumptions, and address any questions to ensure the final review reflects your unique situation and goals.
4.Final Review Delivery. Within a week, you’ll receive a concise, action-oriented financial review summarizing key findings and recommended next steps. You’ll also have two months of follow-up access for any questions.
5. Ongoing Support (As Needed). As your financial situation evolves, you can schedule additional hourly sessions at our current rate.
Services & Pricing
We offer transparent, hourly financial planning with no asset minimums or long-term commitments.
Comprehensive Financial Plan
- One-time plan starting at $3,240—no ongoing costs or hidden fees
- Covers all major areas: retirement readiness, investment strategy, tax efficiency, estate and insurance planning
- 2-hour consultation to review key recommendations
- Your finalized review will be delivered within one week and will include clear, actionable next steps.
- Two months of follow-up access included at no additional cost
Ongoing Hourly Planning ($270/hr-$300/hr - For Returning Clients)
- Available for plan updates, financial check-ins, or additional guidance
- Only available to clients who have previously completed a financial review
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The fee reflects the time and expertise involved in analyzing your full financial picture, preparing personalized recommendations, and delivering a structured financial review. This process includes 12–18 hours of in-depth financial analysis, ensuring your plan is clear, actionable, and tailored to your goals.
Absolutely—this is an investment in your financial future, not just another expense. Many clients find that their plan pays for itself by helping them:
- Avoid costly mistakes with investing, insurance, and estate planning
- Optimize savings & investments for long-term financial security
- Reduce unnecessary investment expenses by selecting cost-effective options
- Gain clarity and confidence knowing exactly what steps to take
For those who want expert guidance but prefer to manage their own investments, hourly planning provides a clear, actionable roadmap with no ongoing fees. Others may prefer an ongoing advisory relationship, and our firm offers both options depending on what best suits your needs.
No. The $3,240 financial review is a one-time fee. If you ever need updates, you can book additional sessions at our hourly rate of $270 per hour.
A financial review covers your entire financial picture, including investments. Investment decisions don’t happen in a vacuum—they should be aligned with your retirement goals, tax strategy, and broader financial plan. Reviewing only one piece in isolation can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities.
Your review includes:
- A customized, step-by-step financial summary tailored to your goals.
- A 2-hour consultation to walk through findings and recommendations.
- A finalized document with clear next steps.
- Two months of follow-up support to address questions as you implement recommendations.
If you’re unsure, we offer a free 20-minute introductory call where we can discuss your situation and see if financial planning makes sense for you. There’s no pressure—just an opportunity to ask questions and learn more.
No problem. Many clients start without everything perfectly organized. We’ll guide you through what’s needed and work with what you have to ensure the review is still valuable.
The financial plan includes clear, step-by-step action items, and you’ll have two months of follow-up access to ask questions as you start making changes. If you need additional guidance after that, returning clients can book hourly sessions as needed.
Our standard financial plan starts at $3,240, which covers approximately 12 hours of work and includes a comprehensive review of your finances, personalized recommendations, and two months of follow-up support.
Some clients may require additional planning time due to added complexity. Common examples include:
Security-by-security recommendations for large taxable accounts
Carefully planning which investments to sell—taking into account unrealized gains, tax lots, risk exposure, and fund fees—can be time-intensive but helps minimize taxes and improve overall portfolio efficiency.Equity compensation planning
Guidance on RSUs, ISOs, NSOs, and ESPPs, including tax timing, diversification strategies, and cash flow planning.Business ownership or self-employment
Including retirement plan setup, estimated quarterly taxes, income smoothing, and entity structure evaluation.Rental real estate investing
Evaluating income, expenses, depreciation, financing, and tax treatment of investment properties within the broader financial plan.Advanced estate planning strategies
For higher-net-worth families potentially subject to estate taxes, we may review trusts, gifting strategies, and other planning tools in coordination with your estate attorney.