How Much Does a Financial Planner Cost?

One of the most common questions people ask when they first consider working with a financial planner is simple.

How much does it cost?

But in my experience as an advice only financial planner, that question is usually about more than just the price. Most people are really asking two things.

Can I afford this?
And will it actually be worth it?

Those are fair questions. Financial planning is an investment in your future, and like any investment, people want to know what they are paying for and what they will receive in return.

Let’s walk through how financial planners are typically paid, what it costs to work with an advice only planner like me, and what you should expect in return.

How Financial Planners Are Typically Paid

Not all financial planners charge in the same way. In Canada, many traditional financial advisors are paid through what is called assets under management.

This means they charge a percentage of the money they manage for you. For example, if an advisor charges 1 percent and manages $500,000 of investments, the annual cost would be $5,000.

This model is very common, but it can create potential bias. When an advisor is paid based on the investments they manage, the conversation naturally revolves around investment products.

Advice only financial planners work differently.

Advice only planners are paid directly for their advice rather than through commissions or investment management fees. This allows the guidance to remain objective and unbiased because there is no financial incentive tied to specific products or investment accounts.

In other words, the client pays for the advice itself.

What It Costs to Work With Me

Every advice only planner structures their services differently. In my practice, I offer three main options depending on what someone needs.

Retirement Consultation – $800

This option is designed for people who are earlier in their financial journey and looking for guidance on where to start.

Many people reach out with questions like:

“No one ever taught me about money and I feel like I should be further ahead.”

Or they simply want to know if they are making the right early decisions around saving, investing, and managing their finances.

In this consultation, we focus on answering their most pressing questions and identifying three to five clear next steps they can take to improve their financial situation.

For someone who is just starting out, those early decisions can make a significant difference over time. Having a clear direction often helps people move forward with much more confidence.

Financial Clarity Plan – $2,250

This is a more comprehensive financial plan designed for individuals or families who want to understand the bigger picture of their finances.

The goal is to bring together all of the important pieces including savings, spending, investments, and future goals.

By the end of the process, clients have a clear action plan and answers to the questions that have been weighing on them.

Comprehensive Wealth Plan for Business Owners – $3,600

Business owners often face more complex financial decisions because their personal and corporate finances interact.

This plan focuses on helping business owners structure their finances in a way that supports long term wealth accumulation while still aligning with their lifestyle and goals.

A Story About Cost and Value

Sometimes the biggest hurdle is simply deciding whether financial planning fits within someone’s budget.

I once worked with a client in her 40s who was single and earning a reasonable income. When she first considered financial planning, she worried that the cost would be too much for her.

After some thought, she decided to move forward anyway.

We have now been working together for about six months.

One of the changes she made was beginning to track her spending using a spending plan tool that I provide to clients. This helped her see exactly where her money was going and identify places where she could cut back.

But the biggest shift was not the tool itself. It was how she started thinking about money.

Instead of buying something simply because she wanted it in the moment, she began pausing and asking whether the purchase aligned with her goals.

Today she feels far more confident about her finances and the decisions she is making. The numbers did not magically change overnight, but the clarity and confidence she gained made a significant difference.

What You Should Receive From Financial Planning

If you are paying for financial planning, you should expect more than just a few charts or spreadsheets.

In my opinion, good financial planning should provide three things.

A clear action plan
You should walk away knowing exactly what steps to take next.

Answers to your financial questions
Many people carry financial uncertainty for years. A good plan provides clarity.

A trusted guide
Money decisions rarely happen once. Having someone you trust to help you think through future choices can be incredibly valuable.

Is Financial Planning Worth the Cost?

The answer depends on what you are hoping to achieve.

For some people, financial planning provides reassurance that they are already on the right path. For others, it reveals opportunities to make smarter decisions about saving, spending, investing, or retirement planning.

But perhaps the most valuable outcome is confidence.

When you understand your finances and have a clear plan, it becomes much easier to move forward without second guessing every decision.

And that kind of clarity is something many people find well worth the investment.

 If you would like to see exactly how pricing works and what is included, you can learn more about my financial planning services  and how the process works.