FAQ

We'll start with a quick, no-pressure call to see if we’re a good fit. That first conversation is all about you—your goals, questions, and concerns.

As a Spokane financial advisor, we bring professional credentials and deep experience, but what truly sets us apart is how we serve. We take the time to listen, understand your full financial picture, and help you make confident decisions about retirement, taxes, and legacy planning.

Clients often tell us they’ve never had conversations like this before—honest, thoughtful, and focused entirely on what matters most to them. Real financial planning goes beyond investment returns. It’s about helping you live a more secure, meaningful retirement.

Not at all—we work with a wide range of clients. That said, we offer the most value to retirees (or soon-to-be retirees) who have saved significantly in their 401(k), typically $1 million or more.

Why? Because at that level, the decisions around Roth conversions, required minimum distributions, retirement income, and estate planning become much more complex—and the opportunities for tax savings and long-term planning are much greater.

We’re probably not the right fit for people looking to time the market, chase hot stock tips, or frequently move in and out of investments based on headlines.

Our approach is built on evidence-based, long-term planning—not short-term speculation. Decades of research show that staying invested and having a clear, tax-smart strategy leads to better outcomes than trying to guess what the market will do next.

Most people aren’t naturally wired to be great investors—especially when emotions run high. It's common to want to sell when markets drop and buy when they rise, but that often leads to poor outcomes. One of the biggest mistakes we see is trying to time the market.

As a Spokane financial advisor, we take a disciplined, long-term approach rooted in data—not emotion. Our investment philosophy is built to help you reach your retirement goals with as little risk as necessary. 

We design portfolios based on your personal objectives and risk tolerance, using a mix of high-quality, dividend-paying stocks and low-cost, tax-efficient ETFs. We systematically rebalance to stay aligned with your plan, and we always keep your bigger picture in mind: making your money last through retirement.

 We’re paid in one of two ways, depending on the services you need:

1. Financial Planning Fee – This is a flat or hourly fee for creating a personalized financial plan, which may include retirement income planning, Roth conversion strategies, estate planning, and more.
    
2. Asset Management Fee – If we manage your investment portfolio, we charge a percentage of the assets we manage on your behalf. This fee covers ongoing investment management and ongoing planning support.

No, your first meeting with our team is completely free. It’s a chance for us to get to know each other and see if we’re a good fit. As a Spokane financial advisor, we’ll take the time to understand your financial goals, challenges, and what matters most to you.

You’ll also get a clear picture of how we can help you build a personalized plan for a confident, secure retirement—no pressure, just a helpful conversation.

Not at all! While based in Spokane, WA, we’ve built Stewardship Concepts to serve clients virtually across the United States. As a Spokane financial advisor, we use tools like Zoom to deliver personalized financial planning and investment management—no matter where you live.

We enjoy building long-term relationships with clients nationwide and are here to help you feel confident and supported, wherever you call home.

 Yes, our minimum asset investment is $300,000. As a Spokane financial advisor, this allows us to provide the personalized financial planning and investment management our clients need—especially regarding retirement income strategies, Roth conversions, and long-term tax planning.

That said, we recognize that everyone's financial journey is different. If you have less than $300,000 in assets, we offer the opportunity to apply for pro bono financial planning on a limited basis. Our mission is to help as many people as possible work toward financial security, and we’re happy to talk and see how we might support you.

The best way is to schedule a free, no-pressure discovery call with us. As a Spokane financial advisor, we’ll take the time to understand your goals, your financial situation, and what’s most important to you in retirement planning.

You’ll have the chance to ask questions and get a clear sense of how we work. If we’re not the right fit, we’ll be upfront and let you know—no pressure, no sales pitch.

Our goal is to help you feel comfortable and confident in your next steps, whether that’s working with us or finding the right advisor for your needs.

 CFP® stands for Certified Financial Planner™, a highly respected designation in the financial planning industry. CFP® professionals must meet rigorous education, training, and ethical standards and are held to strict fiduciary responsibilities—meaning we are committed to acting in your best interests at all times.

Working with a CFP®-certified Spokane financial advisor ensures you're getting guidance from someone fully qualified to help you make smart, informed decisions about your retirement, investments, and long-term financial goals.

To learn more about the CFP® certification, and what it means click here.

Yes, Stewardship Concepts is a fee-only, fiduciary Registered Investment Advisor based in Spokane. As fee-only financial advisors, we are compensated solely by your fees—there are no commissions or hidden costs.

Being a fiduciary means we are legally and ethically required to always act in your best interests when providing financial advice and planning. This ensures that our recommendations are solely focused on helping you achieve your financial goals, with no conflicts of interest.

Working with a fiduciary Spokane financial advisor gives you peace of mind, knowing that we’re putting your needs first at all times.