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Are you ready to envision and design the next chapter of your life?

START HERE

What’s holding you back from transitioning to retirement in a different way?

DESIGN WHAT WORKS

Do you have the peace of mind to enjoy your life today?

LIVE YOUR INTENTION

Jargon-free financial planning.



ReFrame Financial Planning is on a mission to shift the mindset around wealth, wherever you are on your financial journey. As a fee-only, flat-fee financial planner, I start by getting to know you. Your values, passions and purpose. Together, we’ll explore what your money is doing and what it can do for you. Plain and simple.

Flat Fee. Fee only. No guessing.
And three ways to get started.


Ready for some financial clarity?

START HERE.


Retirement Transition Howard County MD ReFrame Financial Planning


PERCEIVE

Financial Quick Start


Ready to assess your financial future?
Whether you’re single or a couple who already has a retirement account and wants to look at optimizing finances, this check-in will help you see the big picture of your financial life.

READ MORE

Questions Howard County MD ReFrame Financial Planning

ACHIEVE

Shift and Refine


Looking for a financial accountability partner?
DIYers looking for an a knowledgeable resource will get an expert to help you take charge of your finances with the confidence you need to reach your goals.

TAKE CHARGE

Learn More Howard County MD ReFrame Financial Planning


PROSPER

Fortify Your Future


Need a trusted partner to help manage your assets?
Get the peace of mind that comes from delegating asset management to a financial advisor who helps monitor investments and coordinates with other financial partners.

HERE WE GO


Ready to rethink YOUR next chapter?
That’s not retirement planning, that’s NOW planning.


GET IN TOUCH TODAY.

About

           

Are you ready for some financial clarity, or maybe your next adventure?

I’m Mary Thompson, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) professional. I want to show you a different way.

I am on a mission to shift the mindset around wealth and retirement, wherever you are on your financial journey. As a fee-only, flat-fee financial planner, I believe that you shouldn’t have to hand over your assets to get unbiased financial advice.

While I can manage investments, I don't require that I manage your assets in order to become a client.  I don’t receive commissions. I charge a flat fee based on the complexity of your situation, rather than the traditional percentage of assets under management or commission-based fee schedule. My only compensation is the fee you pay me, so there are no conflicts of interest when advising you.

Everybody’s different. You may want to start with a  financial check-in. Or you might be looking for help setting financial goals, building an income stream for retirement, or receiving additional guidance on handling your investments. Perhaps, for you, it means delegating asset management.

Regardless, my interests sit squarely with you. Your values, passions and purpose. Helping you discover and unleash the possibilities of your life’s next chapter. This is what drives me. Why?

I’ve built a career – a life, really – on listening to, educating and advising people to make the best choices that serve them well. I started out in IT, helping others navigate new technology as it evolved. Later, after spending 10 joy-filled years being a stay-at-home mom, I relished another 10 years of advising individuals and couples  at an independent, fee-only, Registered Investment Advisory firm in Columbia, MD. My strength is looking at the big picture and expanding each client’s mindset around money.

I love the simplicity and transparency of a fee-only, flat-fee  model! If this approach sparks your curiosity, let’s find out what’s possible for you.


Please Note: Limitations. The achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, recognition by publications, media, or other organizations, membership in any professional organization, or any amount of prior experience or success, should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Wealthspire is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services.

You shouldn’t have to hand over your assets to get unbiased financial advice. 

LET'S TALK

Take Charge of Your Finances – and Life’s Next Steps 

Perhaps you’ve made some money and started to save for retirement, but don’t really know if you’re on track. You’re eager to understand what you have – and optimize your finances for what’s next.

You could be managing your own investments and looking for a sounding board. A financial coach or accountability partner to offer advice about smart options for making your money work for your goals, dreams and values.

Or your life may be filled with … life!  You’re working, traveling, spending time with family, giving back to your community. And you’re ready to delegate your asset management to a trusted financial partner who can help you fortify your future.

Explore what’s possible.

Wherever you are in your financial journey, I am here to show there is a plain and simple way to address your financial needs.

Is travel your priority? Is it a career change? Is it retirement? What does that look like?  I believe in equipping you with the tools you need to understand your financial picture and to create your plan that aligns with your values, passions and purpose.

With one-on-one engagement, purposeful conversations, holistic financial planning, transition coaching and practical education, I will help you to truly understand what your money is doing. Imagine what it can do. And control what it will do for you.

Together, we’ll explore what’s possible and craft a plan that allows you the financial freedom to engage in the activities that are most meaningful to you now while building the future you want.

LET'S TALK

Gain understanding, confidence, and peace of mind by aligning your finances with your life.


Services

Fee-Only Financial Planning

I am a fee-only, flat-fee, registered independent advisor as well as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and a Chartered Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) professional.  The only compensation I receive is the flat annual fee you pay me, so I have a conflict-free interest in making the best decisions for you. Where would you like to start? 

            

Retirement Transition Howard County MD ReFrame Financial Planning

PERCEIVE

Financial Quick Start


Ready to assess your financial future?  Whether you’re single or a couple who already has a retirement account and wants to look at optimizing finances, this check-in will help you see the big picture of your financial life.

Services Include:

The Essential Financial Check-in
To better understand your financial situation, identify your financial goals, and create a plan to meet them.

  • Investment Review and Recommendations
  • Cash Flow Planning and Projections*Savings Strategies
  • Income Planning Strategies*Tax Planning Strategies
  • Financial Check-In Report
 

                    Questions Howard County MD ReFrame Financial Planning

ACHIEVE

SHIFT AND REFINE


Looking for a financial accountability partner?  DIYers looking for a knowledgeable resource will get a partner to help you take charge of your finances with the confidence you need to reach your goals.

Services Include:

Working Your Plan, with Accountability
Refine your financial plan as life happens and things change.

  • Everything in PERCEIVE, plus
  • Goal Planning and Budgeting
  • Insurance Optimization 
  • Estate Planning 
  • Retirement Income Plan
  • Online Tracking Tool


Learn More Howard County MD ReFrame Financial Planning

PROSPER

FORTIFY YOUR FUTURE


Need a trusted partner to help manage your assets?  Get the peace of mind that comes from delegating asset management to a financial advisor who helps monitor investments and coordinates with other financial partners.

Services Include:

Refine, Track, and Monitor to secure your future with your own chief financial partner.

  • Everything in ACHIEVE, plus
  • Ongoing investment management
  • Cash Management Strategies
  • Tax Bracket Planning/Tax Loss Harvesting Strategies
  • Joint Meetings with Other Financial Professionals
  • Account Servicing
  • Portfolio Reporting Portal

Fee: $4,500

3-month engagement,
3 meetings

Fee: starts at $6,000

Annual engagement
Email and phone check-ins
1-2 additional mtgs/year 

Fee: starts at $8,500 

Annual engagement
Email and phone check-ins
Quarterly meetings


Each of our flat-rate financial packages provides clarity, confidence, and assurance as you move through the various stages of life


Schedule Your 30-minute Jargon Free Conversation→

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions


Why work with Mary?

Because, like me, you’re ready to do things differently. 

Through one-on-one engagement, purposeful conversations, holistic financial planning, transition coaching, and practical education, I work to help you to truly understand what your money is doing. (And what it could do for you!)

I work best when I get to know you, your family, your values, your fears, your goals and dreams before I give any advice. I strive to provide practical, jargon-free advice that is tailored to your specific situation... in a judgment-free environment where it’s safe to explore all your options.

Wherever you are in your financial journey, I am here to show you there’s a plain and simple way to address your financial needs. Whether it’s a financial check-in to look at the big picture, financial accountability to set and reach certain goals, or asset management to give you more freedom, I can help.

What’s covered in your financial planning services?

An ongoing engagement with me covers a broad range of financial planning topics, from cash flow planning, spending/budgeting and insurance analysis, to tax planning, estate planning, charitable giving, education planning, portfolio review and recommendations, and more.

It also covers the behavioral components of financial decisions. I help guide you through all the financial areas of your life while helping you avoid common mistakes that derail the best of intentions. I help you become the expert of your own financial future.

Do you manage my assets?

Asset management is never a requirement, and I do not receive commissions. However, if you’re ready to delegate your asset management, I can do that for a flat fee based on the complexity of your situation. If you are managing your own portfolio and want to continue doing so, I can also review your investments to provide asset allocation and investment recommendations for you to implement on your own.

Do I need to have a certain amount of assets to work with you?

Plain and simple – no. You simply need for my fee and advice to be reasonable and valuable to your financial situation.

What if I just want to check in to make sure I’m on track?

Our lives don’t stand still and neither will your financial plan. While everyone is unique, most everyone can use a “financial check-in” to answer pressing questions and create a plan.  To be successful, your plan needs to be reviewed regularly and updated as your life, goals, or desires change.

The true value of my services comes from getting to know and understand my clients and their values, beliefs, and passions — along with their money scripts. Only then can I help them craft a suitable plan for now and in the future.

Why can’t I do it all by myself?

You might be able to. However, if you’re not already a financial expert, you may not want to spend the time it takes to gain the knowledge you’ll need to make prudent decisions for yourself and your family. Many people choose to work with a qualified professional, such as a fee-only CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, to free up time and energy for more meaningful experiences.

What kind of investments do you recommend?

I typically recommend a low-cost, passive index approach to investing. I provide diversified asset allocation recommendations based on your ability to manage the ups and downs of the markets.

Why do you recommend mostly passive index funds?

Markets are tricky and cannot be controlled. I believe in focusing on what you can control. And one of the biggest impact items you can control is the costs of investing.

Passive index funds are low-cost investment options that also provide the variety needed to build a diversified portfolio.

And research shows that even the best-performing mutual fund managers in one year are often not top performers the following year or over a three-to-five-year period. Add to that the higher costs for actively managed funds, and it becomes even more difficult to outperform the market over the long term when you pay for actively managed funds.

Good passive index funds have competitive returns without the unnecessary costs of finding and paying for actively managed funds.

Why is educating your clients so important?

The more you know and understand, the more you will feel empowered. Plain and simple – I believe you shouldn’t have to call your financial advisor to understand your financial life. My goal is to educate you, free of industry jargon, so you become knowledgeable, intentional, and confident in your financial decisions.

What are your qualifications?

I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) with more than 10 years of financial planning experience. I’ve had the pleasure of assisting many different types of clients with a variety of needs and goals. I love working with couples, singles, and families, and I feel especially helpful and fulfilled working with the 50-plus demographic as they plan and transition into their next life chapter.

I also have a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University at Albany. I love numbers and I love solving problems!

Can I cancel my ongoing relationship with you at any time?

Plain and simple — yes, you can terminate your agreement with me at any time. My clients typically pay me quarterly, in advance. I will refund you for whatever portion of the quarter remains.

I want our relationship to work for both of us. If we’re no longer a good fit for each other, for whatever reason, I want you to find someone who is.


As my financial planner, what are your responsibilities to me?

I act as your fiduciary, meaning I put your interests ahead of my own — plain and simple. I must always provide you prudent, competent financial advice that is in your best interest. Always.

As a client, what are my responsibilities to you?

Plain and simple – To be open, honest, and willing to explore all possibilities.

If something comes up, can I meet with you?

Yes. Whenever you have a concern, want to discuss something, need a second opinion on a decision, or just want to say hello, feel free to call, email or schedule a time to meet.

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