Recommend me a fee-only financial planner for a not-wealthy Seattle mom?

September 20, 2024 7:26 AM

I would love personal recommendations from folks who love their CPA, which may or may not be based in Seattle (or maybe they all work online these days)? Looking to get my shit together, my debt assessed, my savings moving, etc. (Last Q on this topic was from 2019). Thanks in advance!
posted by tristeza to Work & Money (6 answers total)

I don't have any recommendations for you, but you might want to clarify whether you mean a CPA (an accountant, who you generally employ for doing taxes and/or business accounting) or a financial planner who will help you make a plan for what to do with your money. From your question it sounds like you want the latter, but these are different things so it's good to be clear about what you are looking for.
posted by number9dream at 7:52 AM on September 20 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Thanks number9dream, you're right - I'm trying to find a FINANCIAL PLANNER. :)
posted by tristeza at 7:54 AM on September 20

Best answer: The Seattle Times might give you a clue and/or help point you in the right direction.

Here's another link with more info.
posted by SageTrail at 9:27 AM on September 20 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I don't have personal recommendations but investing site Bogleheads.org often recommends people look into the Garrett Planning Network. These are exclusively fee-only fiduciary financial planners (so no commissions) and most are hourly but I believe some do charge a low AUM (but you can filter for that).
posted by matcha action at 10:37 AM on September 20 [3 favorites]

Best answer: NAPFA is the standard place to look for these people, I've been meaning to go down this path myself. I had bookmarked Clarity Northwest in Seattle to look into but have not to date. I've also found some good reading on the Can I Retire Yet blog, which is connected to Abundo, another fee-based advisor.
posted by sapere aude at 2:03 PM on September 20 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I'll throw in another option - a general fiduciary. I asked my Seattle lawyer for recommendations of people who could help my heirs, after I die, figure out what to do money wise - all aspects, not just investments. They said it would be good for them to go to a fiduciary. I then asked for recommendations. Their list was:

ohana
partners in care
coho accounting
pro feducia

This was from last year. I have no experience with them but I did Google them all and they looked exactly like what might be even more effective for you than a financial planner (who may well have minimum $ requirements).
posted by susandennis at 9:30 AM on September 21 [1 favorite]