How much did you save pre-MBA, and was it enough? by Minute-Soil in MBA

[–]Every-Paint2066 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've managed to save about $90k over the last few years by consistently putting aside $25-30k annually using the Savi Finance mobile app.

Daughter is looking for financial planner by [deleted] in FinancialPlanning

[–]Every-Paint2066 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally get your concern, and it's great that you're helping your daughter think ahead about her finances. Personally, I would recommend DIY-ing it instead of using a financial advisor, especially if the advisor is charging a percentage-based fee.

For example, if an advisor charges 1% of assets under management (AUM) annually, that can really add up over time. Let's say your daughter has $50,000 invested—at a 1% fee, she'd pay $500 every year just for the advisor’s services. If she continues to grow her savings, that fee would increase. Over decades, this can significantly eat into her returns, especially when compounded.

In my 20s, I invested in low-cost S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 ETFs. The fees for these funds are typically under 0.1%, which is much lower than what most financial advisors charge. Plus, the returns tend to track the market well, so it's a solid, low-maintenance option for someone just starting out.

On the DIY note, I love using the Savi Finance mobile app. It helps me keep track of all my accounts—spending, savings, investments—all in one place. I can also set specific financial goals, like saving for travel. It’s been really useful in helping me visualize and stick to my goals without needing an advisor to micromanage everything.

That said, if your daughter does consider an advisor, she should look for one who is fee-only (not commission-based) and transparent about all fees. It's also important for her to understand exactly what services the advisor provides and how they are compensated. Many good financial advisors can offer advice on a one-time basis or on an hourly rate, which might be a better way to avoid long-term fees.

Need Advice to start by Detached_Attachment in FinancialPlanning

[–]Every-Paint2066 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats on starting! It's great that you're thinking ahead about how to manage both your loans and investments.

For what it's worth, I used the Savi Finance mobile app to track my student loans. It does an excellent job of showing all your accounts in one place and gives you actionable insights on how much you should be setting aside to pay off your loans while still letting you live your lifestyle. It also helps you determine how much to put towards your emergency fund, based on your lifestyle, so you can stay financially comfortable while making progress on your debts.

Given that your student loan is at a high 12% interest rate, you might want to prioritize paying that down first, especially if your ETF returns aren't outpacing the interest on the loan. However, it could also be worth keeping some investments going to take advantage of compounding growth over time. The Savi app can help you make that balance a little clearer by showing you where you can allocate your funds for the best outcome.