Values-based financial planning is the cornerstone of our approach. We place your values and objectives at the forefront of every discussion, crafting a unique plan that resonates with you on a personal level. Collaboratively, we pinpoint optimal strategies for you to create a positive impact in the world while safeguarding your financial freedom. This involves a comprehensive array of strategies including passive income, tax optimization, retirement planning, investment strategies, budgeting, effective debt management, and aligning your career with your purpose, skills, and aspirations. Our approach extends beyond the technicalities of financial planning, incorporating aspects of career development, life coaching, business planning, and guidance in matters of marriage to ensure a holistic and fulfilling financial journey.
Our philosophy mirrors the scientific method: data-driven, systematic, and methodically designed to minimize bias. We deconstruct complexity to build tax-efficient, transparent portfolios primarily through low-cost index funds, adding active solutions only when data proves their merit. Your investments are structured with clarity and purpose, aligned with your objectives, including SRI/ESG options. While we manage client investments through our trusted partner Altruist, we analyze and advise on your complete financial picture—from employer accounts and tech equity to real estate and digital assets.
We use a flat-fee structure, meaning we don’t earn commissions or sell financial products, which reduces conflicts of interest. Our recommendations are focused on what’s best for you. We also absorb the platform fees for investment management, so you pay nothing extra beyond our flat fee. This allows your money to grow without the typical 1% advisor fee, maximizing your long-term financial gains through low-cost, effective investment strategies.
At Equal Path Investments, we actively promote economic justice through three fundamental approaches: an equitable fee structure, a social impact lens, and a diverse firm structure.
Yes! While some clients in the greater Tacoma region prefer to meet in person, the majority of our clients prefer online meetings via Zoom for pure simplicity. With our specialized service and process, we attract clients from all over the United States and are set up to serve them well. If you'd like to meet in person we are located in Tacoma's Union Club at 539 Broadway, Suite J1 Tacoma, WA 98402.
We follow a flat-fee model for financial planning. This is a sub-category of the fee-only pricing model. This means we charge a transparent, flat-rate fee, either as a one-time payment or a monthly or quarterly fee, for our services. We do not receive commissions or incentives for selling any financial products. Our focus is solely on acting in your best interest. We include investment management without any additional fees. We do not receive compensation for any of the platforms or funds we utilize (in fact, we cover platform costs). Monthly pricing is on a sliding scale, based on the complexity of your situation, and ranges from $6,000 to $12,000/year for ongoing planning or $4,000-$8,000 for project-based planning.
When advisors are compensated extra for investment management, such as when advisors charge 1% of assets being managed for investment management (known as the % AUM model), then advisors have created what is known as a "conflict of interest." The conflict is that the advisor will be financially compensated more if they recommend that you move assets to their firm, even though this may or may not be in your best interest. We believe it is important to minimize this conflict of interest and we do this through flat-fee pricing, where your fee is not based on the amount of assets managed (and not all clients chose asset management).
We've also noticed that DIY investing clients take us just as long (or longer) in terms of the amount of time that is required to manage their assets. DIY investors get significant tailored advice in regards to aligning their values to their investments, optimizing asset class, time, and tax diversification, and they also get detailed plans for how to invest. Therefore, since it is generally more streamlined for all parties if we manage your assets instead of going through the DIY process with you, we don't feel the need to charge extra. So it is a win-win: you win by getting your assets managed for no extra cost, and we win by being able to efficiently manage your assets and therefore know they are performing as expected.
The added bonus is that we all feel better about the increased transparency due to the flat-fee.
In the ever changing world of Fintech, we utilize our team's knowledge through the XY Planning Network, designed for independent registered investment advisor firms. We utilize numerous research tools through this platform as well as fully independent research on alternative investments.
What makes us unique is our ability to open financial paths you didn't know were possible through our WATER, not FIRE Framework. Drawing from extensive experience serving MDs and PhD researchers, we combine innovative planning approaches with scientific investment rigor, breaking down complex concepts into clear, actionable steps through our education-first approach. Values integration is central to our planning, and while not required for all clients, we specialize in values-aligned investing. As a flat-fee firm, we're free to explore creative solutions that truly align with your values and bold life choices, empowering you to make confident financial decisions.
