The story behind Flames FP
Flames Financial Planning was built so that having a dedicated advisor does not mean your advisor's fee can grow into one of the largest costs of your financial life.
Watch: Flat Fee vs 1% Financial Advisor
Why Flames exists
Many advisors charge a percentage of the assets they manage. When a portfolio grows, the fee grows with it, whether or not the work changed. Over a long relationship, a percentage fee can add up to a very large dollar amount. The SEC's investor education site explains how fees and expenses affect an investment portfolio.
Many households want one advisor who knows their situation and can connect the pieces: investments, taxes, retirement, estate guidance, and the decisions that come up in between. Flames was built around that relationship.
Flames uses flat quarterly memberships priced by planning complexity, not by portfolio size. Planning is $900 per quarter and Premier is $1,650 per quarter, billed in advance with no annual commitment. Every membership includes a dedicated Flames advisor, personalized investment management, and no AUM advisory fee.
The math, in plain dollars
A percentage fee is easy to overlook because it comes out of the account. Written as dollars, it is easier to compare.
Hypothetical
| Hypothetical portfolio | 1% of assets, per year | Flames Planning, annualized | Flames Premier, annualized |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000,000 | $10,000 | $3,600 | $6,600 |
| $2,000,000 | $20,000 | $3,600 | $6,600 |
| $5,000,000 | $50,000 | $3,600 | $6,600 |
For illustration only. It is not a projection and not a guarantee of savings. The 1% rate is used for simple arithmetic. Actual percentage fees vary by firm and by balance, and some are lower, particularly at larger balances. Flames fees do not change with portfolio size, but membership scope differs from other models. A flat fee is not the better choice for every household, so compare what each firm includes. See the advisor cost guide and the flat fee vs 1% AUM comparison.
What you get
The goal is a relationship that stays useful as life changes, with a price that is clear before you start.
Every Flames membership includes a dedicated Flames advisor, supported by the planning team.
Investments, taxes, retirement, estate guidance, and ongoing advice are treated as one planning system, not five separate projects.
Planning is $3,600 a year and Premier is $6,600 a year, billed quarterly. Fixed pricing is based on planning complexity.
Billed quarterly in advance with no annual commitment. You can cancel to prevent the next quarterly renewal.
Built to last
Joel's role matters, but the long-term goal is a durable Flames planning experience, process, dashboard, and standard of care. That is also why so much of the work is public: you can learn before you ever schedule a meeting.
Long-form explanations of advisor fees, taxes, retirement, investing, insurance, and estate decisions.
Browse videosAnswer-first pages with examples, comparisons, FAQs, and source material you can revisit.
Read planning guidesOrganize net worth, budgeting, goals, debt, insurance, and estate documents before hiring anyone.
Explore the dashboardWatch and learn
Start with three videos selected for this page, then use the controls to explore every published Flames FP video guide.
Videos 1–3 of 14
Independent verification
Do not rely only on a biography. Use primary verification tools to inspect the credential and advisory record.
Common questions
Straight answers about the credential, the fee model, and the company Joel is building.
Yes. Joel Miller is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and the founder of Flames Financial Planning. You can verify the credential on the CFP Board website.
Flames was created to offer a dedicated advisor relationship with fixed, visible pricing instead of a fee that rises as a portfolio grows. Memberships are priced by planning complexity, not by assets.
No. Flames Financial Planning uses fixed quarterly membership pricing instead of charging a percentage of assets under management. Planning is $900 per quarter and Premier is $1,650 per quarter.
Joel and Flames Financial Planning are based in Minnesota, with virtual planning available to eligible clients nationwide, where permitted.
Yes. The brand, planning process, dashboard, educational library, and service standards are being built around Flames Financial Planning as the durable company.
Watch the Flames FP videos, read the planning guides, use the free dashboard, and compare transparent pricing before deciding whether to schedule.
Next step
A discovery meeting is a conversation about your situation and whether Flames FP is a fit. There is no obligation to become a client.
