The Hidden Costs of Traditional Financial Advice (And Why Frank Doesn't Play That Game)

Financial advice shouldn’t be a mystery. But in the traditional world—whether it’s an old-school advisor, a flashy robo-platform, or a “free” insurance planner—there’s often a catch. Hidden fees. Stealth commissions. Layered costs that quietly chip away at your future.

Frank does things differently. No commissions. No sales agenda. No murky pricing. Just clear, flat-fee, conflict-free advice powered by AI and backed by real fiduciary standards.

Let’s pull back the curtain on what you might be paying today without even realizing it.

Whole Life Insurance Commissions

• What You’re Told: It’s an investment and insurance in one.
  
  
• What’s Hidden: 60–100% of your first year’s premium may go straight into the advisor’s pocket.
  
  
• Frank’s Take: Most families would be better served with a simple term policy and investing the rest. Frank only recommends insurance when it serves your financial goals not someone else’s commission check.

 Assets Under Management (AUM) Fees

• What You’re Told: You’ll pay 1% annually for expert portfolio management.
  
  
• What’s Hidden: Over 30 years, that 1% can eat up 20–30% of your portfolio growth.
  
  
• Frank’s Take: The cost of advice shouldn’t scale with your net worth. Frank charges a flat rate, so your growth doesn’t come with growing fees.

Managed Fees on Target Date Funds

• What You’re Told: A professional is “managing” your retirement account.
  
  
• What’s Hidden: You’re often double-paying—once to the fund manager, and again to the advisor—without any added value.
  
  
• Frank’s Take: If you’re already in a Target Date Fund, you’re paying for management. Frank won’t charge you again for doing nothing.

12b-1 Fees

• What You’re Told: Nothing, because most people don’t even know these exist.
  
  
• What’s Hidden: These hidden fund fees (0.25–1%) go to the broker, not to managing your money.
  
  
• Frank’s Take: Frank never recommends funds with hidden kickbacks. Transparency matters, and your returns shouldn’t fund someone else’s sales incentives.

Front-Loaded Mutual Funds

• What You’re Told: It’s a long-term investment opportunity.
  
  
• What’s Hidden: A big chunk (often ~5.75%) is taken out before your money is even invested.
  
  
• Frank’s Take: $10,000 becomes $9,425 on day one—just so someone else can get paid.
  

Free Plans That Lead to Expensive Products

• What You’re Told: You’re getting a free financial plan.
  
  
• What’s Hidden: That “plan” ends in a sales pitch for annuities, insurance, or managed accounts.
  
  
• Frank’s Take: Frank gives advice based on your goals, not on what earns him a commission.
  

Hourly Advice at Premium Rates

• What You’re Told: You’re paying $250–$500/hour for expert financial guidance.
  
  
• What’s Hidden: There’s often no accountability, no follow-up, and no real implementation support.
  
  
• Frank’s Take: You deserve ongoing help, not just expensive one-off conversations. Frank is always on...ready with answers when you need them.
  

Bottom Line: The traditional advice model was built to maximize advisor income, not your long-term success. You deserve better—transparent pricing, smart guidance, and tools that actually help. That’s why Frank was built: to give you high-quality financial advice, without the hidden agenda.