No person was compensated for the testimonials (statements provided by current clients) and endorsements (statements provided by persons who are not current clients) presented here. Each person gave permission for Thriving Musician LLC dba Motif Planning to publish their testimonial or endorsement. Outcomes are personal and specific and one person’s experience does not guarantee identical outcomes in the future for another person.
Pricing
Financial planning with Motif includes ongoing advice, full plan development, and year-round support. You pay one flat annual fee, billed monthly.
| Annual fee (billed monthly) | $10,000/yr ($834/mo) |
Billing begins on the 1st of the month and continues monthly.
We work with families who want a proactive, long-term financial strategy.
What makes Motif Planing unique?
- We’re a fiduciary, advice-only planning firm built for people who want clarity and control without sales or commissions.
- We connect your financial decisions to your values, goals, and priorities so your money supports your life, not the other way around.
- We provide detailed, actionable plans covering cash flow, taxes, benefits, investments, insurance, and estate planning.
- We coordinate with your CPA, attorney, and other professionals so everything works together.
- We charge a flat annual fee for ongoing, year-round planning and proactive updates as laws, markets, and your life change.
- You get a trusted partner who thinks ahead, spots opportunities, and keeps your plan moving forward.
- You gain clarity, confidence, and peace of mind knowing someone is always looking out for your financial life.
- We’re a fully virtual firm serving clients across the U.S., offering flexibility and convenience without sacrificing personal connection.
- We work with people from a range of lifestyles who value expert guidance and a planning process that fits their goals and pace.
- We specialize in executive and equity compensation, helping you make smart decisions around RSUs, options, bonuses, and benefits.
What is the value of financial planning?
| Motif | Broker | DIY | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build personalized cash flow, savings, debt, and mortgage plan. | ☑️ | ☑️ | |
| Create lifetime tax plan with coordination and tax-efficient strategies. | ☑️ | ||
| Review insurance coverage, identify gaps, optimize cost efficiency. | ☑️ | ||
| Guide asset allocation, diversification, rebalancing, and tax efficiency. | ☑️ | ☑️ | |
| Model retirement timing, Social Security, and Medicare surcharge planning. | ☑️ | ||
| Design education funding with 529 plans and tax integration. | ☑️ | ||
| Advise on home, career, childcare, and inheritance decisions. | ☑️ | ||
| Optimize 401(k), HSA, ESPP, and deferred compensation benefits. | ☑️ | ||
| Plan RSU and stock options, diversification, and liquidation. | ☑️ | ||
| Coordinate estate plan, tax strategies, and “red file” checklist. | ☑️ | ||
| Improve accountability, reduce behavior gaps, and debias decisions. | ☑️ | ||
| Save time, reduce stress, and build financial confidence. | ☑️ |
Flat fee vs AUM pricing
| Motif Planning (Flat-fee fiduciary) | Traditional AUM advisor | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee model | Flat fee – $10,000 | 1+% of assets under management |
| Annual cost on $1M portfolio | $10,000 | $10,000+ |
| Annual cost on $2M portfolio | $10,000 | $20,000+ |
| Annual cost on $3M portfolio | $10,000 | $30,000+ |
| Fiduciary standard of care | ☑️ Always | ❓Mixed (some fiduciary, some not) |
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Who do you help?
Motif Planning works with executives and high-earning professionals navigating complex compensation, taxes, and long-term financial decisions. This often includes senior leaders, attorneys, operators, and creative professionals with equity, bonuses, or multiple income streams.
If you earn $400K+ and feel like your financial decisions are getting more complex each year, you’re likely a good fit. If you’re unsure, schedule a call and we can talk it through.
If you’re unsure, schedule a call and we can talk it through.
What am I committing to?
Financial planning works best when you stay engaged. You’ll need to gather key documents, participate in conversations, and follow through on recommendations.
Planning starts on the 1st of the month and continues on an ongoing basis. You can cancel at any time with 30 days’ notice. The clients who get the most value are the ones who stay involved and take action.
What does working together actually look like?
All meetings are virtual and focused on keeping your plan moving forward.
We start with a series of meetings to build your plan and prioritize next steps. After that, we meet twice per year to review progress, adjust for changes, and update your strategy. You can also reach out anytime to schedule a call when something comes up.
Do you manage or take custody of my investments?
No. I do not manage or take custody of your investments.
You stay in control of your accounts. I guide you on strategy, allocation, and tax efficiency, and help you implement everything step by step.
Download our Investment Philosophy white paper (PDF)
Do you sell products or make commissions?
No. I am a fee-only financial planner.
I do not sell products, earn commissions, or receive compensation from third parties. The only fee I receive is the one you pay directly for planning.
Do I need to be “complex enough” to work with you?
Most clients don’t start out feeling “complex.” Complexity tends to grow with income, career progression, and family responsibilities.
If you’re earning a strong income and want to make better decisions around taxes, investing, and long-term planning, there is likely value in working together.
How do I know this will be worth it?
My role is to help you make better financial decisions across your entire life, not just one area.
Many clients see the financial value through better tax decisions, compensation planning, more efficient use of benefits, and avoiding costly mistakes.
You also get a clear plan, ongoing guidance, and a place to bring every decision, which removes the mental load and helps you move forward with confidence.
Is the fee tax-deductible?
Personal financial planning fees are generally not deductible under current law. If a portion of the work relates to business planning, there may be exceptions. You should confirm with your CPA.
What happens if I want to stop working together?
You can cancel at any time with 30 days’ notice. Any unused portion of your fee will be refunded.
I do not offer a pause option. Planning works best as an ongoing process, and availability is limited.
How do I pay?
Payments are processed through AdvicePay on a monthly basis. You can pay by credit card or bank transfer.
Motif Planning does not store your payment information. All payments are handled through a secure third-party platform.
Where do I upload documents?
You’ll upload your documents to RightCapital, a secure client portal that keeps everything organized in one place.
You’ll be able to access your documents, track planning items, and stay up to date on your plan at any time.
Do you have a client minimum?
I don’t have an investment minimum.
I typically work with households earning $400K or more who are dealing with increasing complexity and want ongoing guidance.
What happens next if I decide to move forward?
Start by scheduling a discovery call.
We’ll talk through your situation, what prompted you to reach out, and what you’re trying to solve. From there, you can decide if you want to move forward, or I can point you in a different direction if it’s not the right fit.
If we move forward, we’ll begin onboarding and start building your plan.
