At Wise Women Prosper, we believe that clarity and confidence go hand in hand. As women, we are often the caretakers, the planners, the glue holding it all together—and when it comes to our financial future, we deserve advice that is transparent, aligned with our goals, and designed to empower—not enrich our advisor at our expense.

Why More Women (and the Men Who Love Them) Are Choosing Flat-Fee Fiduciary Advice Over Traditional AUM Models

One of the most important decisions you’ll make in your financial life is how your advisor is paid.

You may have heard of the “AUM” model—short for Assets Under Management. In this structure, your advisor charges a percentage of your portfolio (commonly 1%) each year. It seems simple enough… but over time, that fee can quietly siphon away your hard-earned wealth.

Let’s take a closer look—and offer you an alternative that puts your future first.

The True Cost of AUM Fees

Imagine you’ve built a $1 million nest egg. Under the traditional AUM model, your advisor charges 1% annually. That’s $10,000 a year—every year.

Now let’s say your portfolio grows over time (which we certainly hope it does!). As it increases, so do your fees:

• At $1.5 million: You’re paying $15,000 per year.
• At $2 million: $20,000 per year.

And here’s the part many people miss: that’s not just a fee—it’s money no longer invested for your future.

Over 20 years, if you’re paying $10,000 per year in AUM fees, you’ve handed over $200,000—not including any growth you lost by not investing those dollars.

A Flat-Fee Fiduciary Model: Transparent, Predictable, and Empowering

At Wise Women Prosper, we charge a flat annual fee—let’s say, hypothetically, it’s $7,500 per year. That fee includes comprehensive financial planning, investment strategy, retirement income planning, tax strategies, legacy planning, and regular check-ins with your advisory team. You know what you’re paying—and what you’re getting.

Now let’s compare those two paths:

Over 20 Years:

• Traditional AUM @ 1% on $1M portfolio: $200,000 in fees (and more as your portfolio grows).
• Flat-Fee at $7,500/year: $150,000 total.

That’s $50,000 saved—just in fees.

But it gets even better.

What If You Invested the Savings?

What if instead of paying that extra $2,500 per year in AUM fees, you invested that money each year into a balanced 60/40 portfolio (60% equities / 40% bonds) with a modest 6% annual return?

Let’s look at the numbers:

• Annual contribution: $2,500
• Growth rate: 6%
• Time horizon: 20 years

Total value after 20 years: $97,348

That’s nearly $100,000 in additional wealth—just from putting your saved fees to work.

This Isn’t Just About Math—It’s About Alignment

As fiduciaries, we are legally and ethically bound to put your best interests first. Because we aren’t paid based on the size of your portfolio, we are free to guide you toward what’s truly right for you—including:

• Paying down your mortgage if that brings you peace of mind.
• Gifting generously to family or causes close to your heart.
• Diversifying into real estate or business ventures.
• Prioritizing experiences over accumulation.

Your wealth should support your life—not your advisor’s paycheck.

Is a Flat-Fee Advisor Right for You?

Flat-fee fiduciary planning may be a smarter choice if you:

• Have over $500,000 invested and want to stop the fee bleed.
• Own a home or business and need a strategy that looks beyond your portfolio.
• Are nearing retirement and want tax-smart withdrawal and income planning.
• Want transparent advice, ongoing support, and a partner who sees you—not just your accounts.
• Prefer to know exactly what you’re paying and why.

A Better Way Forward

We know you’ve worked hard for what you’ve built. You deserve advice that helps you climb the retirement mountain—and descend it safely—with clarity, purpose, and peace of mind.

If you’d like to see the detailed breakdown, we invite you to explore the white paper on our website:

“Why a Flat-Fee Fiduciary Financial Advisor is the Smarter Choice Over an AUM-Based Advisor”

When you’re ready to talk about how this approach could help you protect your income, reduce taxes, and stay in control of your financial future—we’re here.

With strength and care,

The Wise Women Prosper Team

Financial Planning for Women—and the Men Who Love Them

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice.