Better Money Decisions

CRD#172980
Investment Advisor Firm

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Learn more about Better Money Decisions

  • Overview
  • By the Numbers
  • Products and Services
  • Fee Structure
  • Types of Clients
  • Disclosures
  • State Registrations
  • Office Locations
  • Firm Advisors

    • Overview

    Better Money Decisions is located at 460 St. Michael's Drive, Santa Fe, NM. The firm employs 6 financial advisors to manage client portfolios and provide financial guidance. Better Money Decisions is not a registered broker-dealer.

    Better Money Decisions oversees $271.9 million in assets under management across 276 accounts, all of which are discretionary. Over the past year, the firm has provided financial planning services to between 101 and 250 clients. The services offered include financial planning services and portfolio management for individuals and small businesses. The firm caters to retail investors, high net worth investors, and charitable organizations, with retail investors being the largest client type by accounts. The fee structure at Better Money Decisions includes asset-based and fixed fees. The firm has 77 high net worth clients.

    Better Money Decisions is registered in the states of Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, and Texas.

    Assets Under Management

    $271.9 million

    Number of Advisors

    6

    Disclosures

    No

    Office Location

    460 St. Michael'S Drive
    Santa Fe, NM 87505

    Better Money Decisions by the Numbers

    Total Assets Under Management

    $271.9 million

    National Average: $8.6 billion
    Total Number of Employees

    8

    National Average: 64
    Total Number of Accounts

    276

    National Average: 375,227
    Average Account Size

    $985.2 thousand

    National Average: $23.0 thousand
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    Products and Services

    Financial services offered by Better Money Decisions can include financial planning services and portfolio management for individuals and small businesses. In the last fiscal year, Better Money Decisions provided financial planning services to 101-250 of its customers. The Firm is not involved in selling products or offering services apart from investment advice to its investment advisory customers.

    Core Advisor Services

    • Offered by 31% of firms

      Financial Planning Services

      This is the process of planning for your financial future, including for events such as retirement, your child's college education or estate succession.

    • Offered by 46% of firms

      Portfolio Management

      This is the selection and management of an investment mix and portfolio strategy for individuals and small businesses.

    • Find a firm that offers this service

      Market Timing Services

      This is the practice of attempting to make short-term profits on investments by buying low and selling high.

    Other Services

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    Fee Structure

    Fees charged by financial advisors typically are based on the financial services offered. Fees billed by Better Money Decisions can consist of any combination of the following fee structures: asset-based or fixed.

    Available

    • Offered by 69% of firms

      Percentage of Assets

      Show Explanation

      This fee, which is the most common fee type charged by advisors for portfolio management, is based on the amount of assets you have under management. Also referred to as an asset-based fee, this fee typically ranges from 0.50%-2.00% of AUM annually. You'll typically pay a lower rate the more assets you have under management.

    • Offered by 32% of firms

      Fixed

      Show Explanation

      Fixed fees are a one-time, lump sum charged for a specific service, like the creation of a financial plan without subsequent implementation. This can be useful if you only need advice for one specific purpose, rather than a long-term advisor. Fixed fees usually range from $1,000 to $3,000.

    Unavailable

    • Find one of the 21% of firms that offer this fee type

      Hourly

      Show Explanation

      Like a lawyer, a financial advisor may charge you by the hour. This can be helpful if you are only looking for short-term or one-time advice. Rates typically range from $100-$300 per hour, depending on the complexity and level of services needed.

    • Find one of the 1% of firms that offer this fee type

      Commissions

      Show Explanation

      Occasionally, advisors earn commissions from selling financial products, such as securities or insurance policies, or making certain referrals or transactions. Advisors who earn commissions may be incentivized to make certain recommendations to clients in order to make a commission. Fee-only advisors do not earn commissions, while fee-based advisors may.

    • Find one of the 26% of firms that offer this fee type

      Performance-based

      Show Explanation

      Advisors only earn performance-based fees if a portfolio outperforms a defined benchmark. This fee may be calculated in a number of ways but most commonly is charged as a percentage of investment profits. Performance-based fees may incentivize advisors to make riskier decisions in order to generate higher returns.

    • Find one of the 0% of firms that offer this fee type

      Subscription

      Show Explanation

      Firms generally charge this fee for educational materials provided, such as a monthly magazine. This can be useful if you want to learn about investing or financial management on your own.

    • Find one of the 10% of firms that offer this fee type

      Other

      Show Explanation

      Firms can sometimes charge customers using non-traditional fee structures. See this firm's Form ADV for more details.

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    Types of Clients

    It provides services to retail investors, high net worth investors, and charitable organizations. Out of its 3 clients, Better Money Decisions's biggest client group by number of accounts is high net worth investors, but it also caters to 77 high-net-worth individuals. A high-net-worth individual is defined by the SEC as an individual who has at least $750,000 under management or a net worth of more than $1,50 million or who is considered a "qualified purchaser" (a standard met by having at least $5 million in investments).

    • High-Net-Worth Individuals* - 27.9%
    • Other Individuals - 69.57%
    • Corporations - 0%
    • Charitable Organizations - 2.54%

    * The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) defines a high-net-worth individual as someone who has at least $750,000 under management.

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    Disclosures

    Better Money Decisions does not have any disclosures.

    Please visit its Form ADV for more details.

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    Financial Advisors at Better Money Decisions

    Lea Ann Knight
    Santa Fe, NM
    Jocelyn Black
    Santa Fe, NM
    Kathleen Connors
    Santa Fe, NM
    Lorraine Ell
    Midland, MI
    Susan Koe
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Richard Caw
    Santa Fe, NM

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