$3,600 or $6,600 annualized
Planning and Premier are the two comprehensive ongoing memberships. Both are billed quarterly with no annual commitment.
Flames FP vs Facet
Flames FP vs Facet: Flat Fees, Advice, Tax Filing, and Estate Planning
Both firms use flat fees instead of charging a percentage of assets. The important differences are the price, commitment, advisor model, meeting structure, tax-filing tier, estate-document cost, and whether Minnesota-specific advice matters to you.
Reviewed August 26, 2026 by Joel Miller, CFP. Pricing and services can change; confirm current terms with each provider.
Short answer
Is Flames FP a Good Facet Alternative?
Yes—for the right household. Flames FP may be the stronger Facet alternative for Minnesota households that want a dedicated ongoing advisor, personalized investment management, Wealth.com estate-document access in Planning or Premier, and quarterly billing with no annual commitment. Facet may be the stronger fit if you prefer its national platform, structured meeting cadence, or specific Core, Plus, and Complete service model.
$2,600 to $8,700 per year
Facet currently lists Core at $2,600, Plus at $5,500, and Complete at $8,700, with annual nonrefundable agreements.
Dedicated relationship vs tiered teams
Flames Planning and Premier include a dedicated Flames advisor. Facet lists CFP access in Core, a dedicated CFP team in Plus, and a dedicated CFP professional in Complete.
Side by side
Flames FP and Facet Compared at a Glance
This table uses the providers' published pages. Similar labels do not always mean identical scope.
| Question | Flames FP | Facet |
|---|---|---|
| Fee model | Flat quarterly membership; 0% AUM advisory fee | Flat annual membership; investment-management scope varies by tier |
| Published comprehensive pricing | $3,600 Planning; $6,600 Premier annualized | $2,600 Core; $5,500 Plus; $8,700 Complete per year |
| Commitment | Quarter-to-quarter; cancel before the next renewal; paid quarter is nonrefundable | Annual, nonrefundable agreement; quarterly or annual payment options |
| Advisor relationship | Dedicated Flames advisor for Planning and Premier | CFP access in Core; dedicated CFP team in Plus; dedicated CFP professional in Complete |
| Published meeting cadence | Ongoing planning conversations; no fixed annual quota is stated on the pricing page | Core: 3 year-one meetings, then 1 annually; Plus: 3 then 2; Complete: 4 then 4 |
| Investment management | Personalized management, monitoring, and rebalancing included in Planning and Premier | Investment management is listed; exact services vary by membership |
| Tax filing | Eligible Premier members receive covered individual-return filing through an independent tax partner | Plus and Complete list tax filing through Facet's designated partner |
| Estate documents | Wealth.com will- or trust-based document access is included from day one in Planning and Premier | Estate planning is listed as a $1,200 first-year add-on that renews at $100/year |
| Local emphasis | Minnesota-based planning and local context | National online financial-planning platform |
Fees are based on publicly available information reviewed August 26, 2026. Actual fees may vary based on account size, services, negotiation, household complexity, and other factors. Prospective clients should review each adviser's current Form ADV and advisory agreement.
Facet's $2,600 Core price is lower than Flames Planning, but the advisor model, ongoing cadence, tax scope, and estate-document pricing differ. Compare the actual work delivered rather than treating the lowest listed tier as an automatic substitute.
Where Flames may fit better
Choose Flames When the Dedicated Relationship and Quarterly Flexibility Matter
Flames is designed around one accountable planning relationship rather than a national platform experience.
Minnesota planning context
Flames is Minnesota-based and regularly connects state taxes, retirement, estate decisions, and the household's broader plan.
No annual contract
Planning and Premier renew every quarter. You can stop the next renewal without remaining in an annual agreement.
Estate access in both comprehensive tiers
Planning and Premier include Wealth.com access from day one; Flames facilitates the process but does not provide legal advice or draft documents.
Lower top-tier list price
Premier is $6,600 annualized versus Facet Complete at $8,700. Scope still matters more than price alone.
Where Facet may fit better
Choose Facet When Its National Platform and Structured Cadence Match Your Preferences
Facet is an established national flat-fee provider with a clearly defined three-tier path.
Lower comprehensive entry price
Facet Core begins at $2,600 per year and can fit households whose needs align with that tier's stated scope.
Published meeting counts
Facet explicitly states how many designated planning meetings are included in year one and later years.
Tax filing before the top tier
Facet currently lists partner-provided tax filing in Plus and Complete, while Flames reserves covered filing for eligible Premier members.
National scale
Some households may prefer a larger online organization with a mature onboarding process and many planners.
Decision checklist
Questions to Ask Before Choosing Flames or Facet
Use the same questions with both firms so the comparison stays about delivered scope rather than marketing labels.
- Who will be my primary advisor, and will that person remain consistent?
- How many meetings or planning conversations are included after year one?
- Who makes investment decisions and implements trades?
- Who prepares and signs the tax return, and which returns or schedules are excluded?
- Are estate documents included, an add-on, or only planning guidance?
- What happens if I cancel after one quarter or midway through a year?
- Are spouse or partner planning, outside accounts, equity compensation, rental property, or business income included?
Sources and method
How This Comparison Was Built
We reviewed each provider's public pricing and service pages on August 26, 2026. We compare published list prices, advisor relationship, investment implementation, tax scope, estate scope, commitment structure, and stated service limits. We do not treat a lower headline price as automatically better when the scope is different.
- Flames FP pricing — current membership prices, scope, tax eligibility, estate access, and cancellation terms
- Facet pricing — current Core, Plus, and Complete prices, meeting cadence, annual agreement, tax filing, and estate add-on
Company names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Flames Financial Planning is not affiliated with or endorsed by the compared companies. This page is educational, reflects public information available on August 26, 2026, and is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Flames FP vs Facet Questions
Is Flames FP cheaper than Facet?
It depends on the tier. Flames Planning is $3,600 annualized and Premier is $6,600. Facet lists Core at $2,600, Plus at $5,500, and Complete at $8,700. Compare the actual scope, advisor relationship, and commitment—not only the lowest price.
Do Flames FP and Facet both charge flat fees?
Yes. Both publish flat-fee pricing rather than a percentage-of-assets advisory fee for the core relationship. Other fund, platform, custodian, or third-party costs may still apply.
Which one includes tax filing?
Facet lists tax filing through its designated partner in Plus and Complete. Flames includes covered individual-return preparation and filing only for eligible Premier members through an independent tax partner.
Which one includes estate documents?
Flames Planning and Premier include day-one Wealth.com access for a will-based or revocable-trust plan. Facet lists estate planning as a separate first-year add-on. Neither firm is a law firm, and both disclose limits around legal services.
Does Flames FP require an annual contract?
No. Planning and Premier are billed quarterly in advance and continue quarter to quarter. Canceling stops the next quarterly renewal; the current paid quarter remains active and nonrefundable.
Who should choose Facet instead of Flames FP?
Facet may fit someone who prefers a national platform, wants its specific meeting cadence, or matches one of its tier structures. Flames may fit someone who prioritizes a Minnesota-based dedicated relationship and quarterly flexibility.
Compare the fit
The Best Option Is the One Whose Scope Matches Your Financial Life.
If a dedicated Minnesota advisor, transparent flat quarterly pricing, personalized investment management, and coordinated planning are important to you, schedule a discovery meeting and ask direct questions before deciding.