How Our Financial Planning Process Works
Most people who reach out are earning well but feel like their money is scattered with no clear picture of whether they are on track. This page shows you exactly how a fee-only, fiduciary financial planner helps you change that, step by step.
Plain language, no jargon. Here is what working together actually looks like from the first call through ongoing partnership.
Clients We Work Best With
We work best with people who have a lot going on financially and want someone in their corner to help them make sense of it.
Early Career Professionals
You're making good money but constantly wondering if you're actually doing the right things with it. Right accounts? Right order? Investing correctly? Most people in this season are just guessing. We make sure you're not.
Mid-Career Achievers
Your income is strong, but life has gotten more complex. Multiple accounts, a growing family, a home, maybe a business. There's a lot of moving pieces but you can't shake the feeling you might be missing something, in taxes, in your investments, or somewhere you haven't looked. We dig in and make sure the opportunities are actually being captured.
Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
Running a business makes your financial life more complicated than most. Between paying yourself, planning for retirement, and managing taxes, it's hard to know if you're doing it right. We help you get clarity and stop second-guessing.
What the Process Looks Like
Most clients have a completed financial plan in hand within 30 days of their intro call. The process is more direct than most people expect.
~30 min · No cost · No commitment
Free Intro Call
We cover your situation, what you are hoping to accomplish, and whether working together makes sense. Most clients tell us it felt more like a conversation than a sales call.
~60 min · 1-2 weeks after intro
Discovery Session
We go deep on your income, expenses, investments, debts, insurance, and taxes. The more you tell us, the more useful the plan.
~60-90 min · 2-3 weeks after discovery
Your Financial Plan
We walk through your complete plan together covering cash flow, investments, insurance, taxes, and retirement. You leave knowing exactly what to do and why.
~1-2 weeks · We handle the heavy lifting
Implementation
We set up accounts, move money where it needs to go, and handle the paperwork. We coordinate with your employer, custodians, and other advisors as needed.
2x per year minimum · Unlimited access between meetings
Ongoing Partnership
We meet at least twice a year to review progress and update your plan. Reach out anytime between meetings. No extra charge, no need to wait for the next review.
What Ongoing Service Includes
Semi-Annual Reviews
We meet twice a year to review your progress, update your plan, and adjust for anything that has changed in your life or finances.
Meetings When You Need Them
The twice-yearly reviews are the minimum, not the ceiling. Job change, new baby, big purchase. Schedule a call anytime. No extra charge.
Investment Management
We manage all of your accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s, brokerage, and more) so they work together as one strategy. No more guessing whether things are aligned.
Client Portal Access
A secure dashboard that connects every account you own. Transactions are categorized automatically, spending is tracked in real time, and your complete financial picture is always up to date.
What clients say about working with Chris
"Chris has been such a huge help to my husband and I. Since getting married two years ago, he has helped us create clear financial plans, stay on top of our money, and set up funds that actually make us feel confident about our future. He is incredibly knowledgeable and organized, but what we appreciate most is how genuine, honest, and trustworthy he is. We truly couldn't recommend him more!"
"Thankful for Chris and his financial literacy and help, but most importantly thankful for his heart to get to know his clients on a personal level outside of financial help as well. He really knows what he is doing and has a passion to help you meet your goals!"
"I'm so glad I started working with Chris early on in my career! He's worked with me to create a plan that's unique to my financial goals, and has helped me get started with investing and planning for retirement. I definitely recommend Villaire Financial to other young professionals!"
Testimonials from current clients of Villaire Financial, LLC. No compensation was provided for these reviews. Individual experiences and results will vary. These testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other clients.
Things People Usually Ask Before Booking
Do I need to have a lot of money saved to work with you?
No. There is no asset minimum. We work with people who are building wealth, not just people who already have it.
How much does it cost?
There is a one-time $250 onboarding fee, then $75/month. If we manage your investments, there is an additional 1.00–1.50% AUM fee annually. The monthly fee is waived once your managed assets exceed $100K. No commissions ever. See the full breakdown.
What does fiduciary mean?
A fiduciary is legally and ethically required to act in your best interest at all times. Not when it's convenient. Not most of the time. Always. Chris is a fee-only fiduciary, which means he has no commissions, no products to sell, and no incentives that conflict with your goals.
Can you work with clients remotely?
Yes. Most clients are fully remote. Villaire Financial serves clients nationwide via video calls. Grand Rapids clients can also meet in person at the office on Fulton St.
I already have a 401(k) through work. Do I need a financial planner?
A 401(k) is one piece. A comprehensive financial plan ties together your cash flow, insurance, taxes, retirement, and goals into one coordinated strategy.
How is this different from a robo-advisor or my bank?
You get a real person who is legally required to act in your best interest, knows your specific situation, and reaches out when something needs attention. Not an algorithm, not someone paid on commission.
Can I start with just one financial area and expand later?
We do comprehensive planning because financial decisions are connected. If you are not sure whether you need all of it, the free intro call is a good way to find out.
Every month without a plan is a month of financial decisions made on instinct
The first call takes 30 minutes and costs nothing. Most people leave with a clearer picture of their finances regardless of whether we work together.