Independent

lifestyle financial planning

Independent

lifestyle financial planning​

OUR WHY

What is freedom to you?

Everyone’s answer to the question is different, but one thing they all have in common: there is a sense of freedom in knowing if you’re going to be OK.

Lifestyle financial planning will leave you with a sense of freedom from the worry of not knowing if you have enough, or if you are doing what you need to do to have enough for your future.

You will know this and it can be liberating.

WHAT WE DO

We partner with our clients to provide a long-term financial planning service.

That's because worthwhile financial planning is a continuous process and not a once-off exercise. Constantly planning as life happens, and being held accountable for seeing that plan through, is where the value lies.

Financial planning will cover the following areas:

Investment planning

Once we know your goals, we develop appropriate investment strategies that target the returns you need to get you where you plan to go. This plan is put into action using cost- and tax-efficient investment products, both local and/or offshore.

Risk planning

How much money do your dependants (or estate) need should you pass away? Or what if you suffer an illness or disability and can no longer work? We help you determine how much cover you need and then put whatever products you might need in place to address these needs.

Retirement planning

We believe retirement should be a choice. But you will need capital and income sources to be able to choose to stop working. We'll help you figure out how much you'll need and implement the required retirement / investment products to help realise this goal.

Estate planning

Ensure your assets go to the right people when you die, in the most efficient way, while gifting as little as possible to the taxman. This involves structuring your assets efficiently and ensuring you have a valid, and relevant, will.

Tax efficiency

South Africans are of the most heavily taxed people in the world. We believe that as much of your money as possible should be working for you. Therefore, we ensure this is the case by limiting tax leakage in your estate. We can also refer you to qualified tax practitioners if needed.

Education

Your finances shouldn't be a mystery to you. We work collaboratively, answering your questions and explaining our recommendations along the way so that you always understand the process, you are an active participant in it, and you know where you stand.

OUR DIFFERENCE

Independence

We are not tied or limited to any product providers.

Flat fees

We don't work on commission, so we don't need to sell products to get paid. Your annual fee is clear, transparent and your only fee.

Virtual office

Although based in Cape Town, we provide our full services to clients nationwide virtually.

No conflicts of interest

By being both independent and charging flat fees, we've done everything we can to remove conflicts of interest. This assures that you receive impartial advice.

HOW WE WORK

A plan is useless; planning is invaluable.

We partner with our clients to provide a long-term financial planning service. That's because worthwhile financial planning is a continuous process and not a once-off exercise. Constantly planning as life happens, and being held accountable for seeing that plan through are where the value lies.

We all experience many meaningful events in our lifetimes. And the one thing they all have in common is money. Births, deaths, marriage, divorce, new job, no job, education, relocation, promotion, windfalls.... Life happens all the time. And so your financial plan evolves.

By working in this way, we help you align your financial decision-making with your long-term life plans, guiding you and your family on your journey towards financial freedom and happiness.

We believe in the power of knowing.

Lifestyle financial planning will leave you with a sense of freedom from the worry of not knowing if you have enough, or if you are doing what you need to do in order to have enough for your future.

You will know this and it can be liberating.

You will be living and working according to a Life Plan that you helped create. You will be empowered to make better financial decisions because you will see the impact of each possible choice on your Life Plan. And we will serve as your thinking partner, by your side for all money decisions that need to be made.

No conflict of interest: Your money isn't the client, you are.

We've done everything we can to remove conflicts of interest, so you can be sure that you're getting unbiased personal advice.

Fully independent: We are not tied or limited to any product providers.

Flat-fee structure: We don't work on commission, so we don't need to sell products in order to get paid. Your annual fee is your only fee.

FEES

How flat fees measure up

Our flat-fee payment structure is unusual in the financial planning industry, but we've chosen to work like this for the following reasons...

You know exactly how much you're paying.

We don't earn commission on products or a random percentage of your investments, so there's no incentive to sell you products.

All long-term insurance products will be implemented free of any commission, meaning your premiums will be up to 30% lower for life.

In most cases, our flat annual fee is more cost effective than what you might pay via the traditional “assets under management” (AUM) model, especially for clients with investments of R5m+.

We've illustrated this below...

Typical annual investment fees with an
"assets under management" (AUM) / commission model

R 0

1% fee on R5m

R 0

1% fee on R10m

R 0

1% fee on R15m

OUR FEES

Pricing is based on estate complexity.
(Pricing excludes VAT)

Pioneer

From R1 200 p/m

Limited spots available

This is for clients with low complexity estates who are starting out or in the early stages of their financial journey, typically up to 35 years old.

Virtual-only services

Explorer

From R1 900 p/m*

More comprehensive than the Pioneer Package, this is for clients with medium complexity estates, who have a more varied set of financial considerations.

 

Adventurer

From R3 500 p/m*

Our most comprehensive offering is for clients with high-complexity estates, which may include multiple income streams, owning businesses, and an array of financial products, as well as retirees with more complex financial situations.

*Fees indicated are a starting point. Each client's annual fee is based on their individual needs. However, the annual fee is always fully disclosed at the start of each year and remains unchanged for the year. Fees are adjusted annually for inflation.

How we get paid

You can pay us in a few ways:

  • From your investments:
    You can pay your advisor up to 1% p.a. from your investment portfolios annually via the investment administrators. For example, if you have investments totalling R5m, the investment administrator can pay the advisor up to R50 000 p.a. on your behalf.
  • Directly via EFT
  • Or a combination of both

What can you expect along the journey?

We begin with a free consultation. During this no-obligation virtual chat, you can find out more about how we work and if we're a good fit for your needs.

Personalised and comprehensive planning

Identify your needs, goals and concerns and put a financial plan in place to address them, including products where necessary.

Ongoing support and accountability

Scheduled check-ins to make sure you’re on track.

Annual planning

Comprehensive yearly planning session, including needs analysis and performance review, plus product and planning tweaks as needed .

Freedom Financial Planning

Independent, ongoing lifestyle financial planning.

Who you'll be
working with

Bryan Nicol, CFP®

Lifestyle Financial Planner & Financial Strategist 

(BCom, PGDip Financial Planning)

I entered financial planning later in my career, after running my own successful headhunting business for several years. While I was good at recruitment, I was looking for something more fulfilling, where I could make a real difference in people’s lives.

Having experienced, first hand, the shortcomings of product-focused financial advice, I chose to follow a different path. As a lifestyle financial planner and financial strategist, I work with my clients to help them identify and pursue their life goals and answer the question that keeps us all up at night: Will I have enough?

I particularly relish working with complex estates, which allows me to draw on my knowledge and experience to help solve problems, define strategies, and provide financial direction for my clients.

My goal is to help you live the best life you can with the money you have, starting now and continuing into your retirement.

Testimonials

“Since I started working with Bryan, I feel more at ease about my financial future. There are less concerns about whether I’m doing enough with what I have. Bryan can relate to my life situation and is not too prescriptive, allowing me space to make decisions as well. He has never failed to provide a detailed answer to my questions that really aids my understanding.”

Dean

“Working with Bryan has been amazing. For the first time ever, we actually know what is going on, what our policies are doing for us, and where we need to make changes if necessary. We were previously completely in the dark, blindly following advice from brokers who did not take the time to get to know us and find out what our goals were. We now know 100% that our best interests are being thought about and looked after, and everything is explained so that we fully understand where we are with our planning.”

Mandy & Branden

“Since I started working with Bryan, I am much more confident about what I am doing and I feel more secure that I am on the right track. His advice has been much more in-depth than previous advisors I have worked with and the detailed future calculations are immensely helpful. Bryan is very knowledgeable, provides great advice, and is easy to communicate with.”

Heather

“For many years we had advisors who helped us with future retirement planning but were always disappointed that it seemed it was all about how much commission they would earn, irrespective of how badly our investments were performing. Since meeting Bryan for the first time, we’ve felt very comfortable with him helping us with our retirement planning. Bryan has been with us on this road for a few years and we are extremely happy with his patience and making sure we understand what he offers us, how these investments work and how it will help increase our investments going into the future. We also now have a better understanding of how investments work.”

Joe & June

“SInce working with Bryan, I have greater insight into where I am now and what I need to do now and in the future to achieve financial freedom. I appreciate his honesty and the preparation that goes into compiling his reports.”

Paul

“Bryan has spent lots of time getting to know us, and is interested in what we want, value, desire and fear in life. He takes a holistic view of our finances, not just looking at what retirement fund investments we have. There was also a significant amount of time spent in analysing our assets, liabilities and expenses in the formulation of our financial plan. That gives us a sense of comfort and security about our finances.”

Filipe & Vida

“Before meeting Bryan, I had never gone past the first introduction meeting with a financial advisor as it always felt too complicated. I enjoy working with Bryan because I feel that he strives to empower me, as the client. I feel more in charge and better able to adapt to changes, rather than feeling trapped in a one-size-fits-all product.”

Davide

Our Latest Blogs

“People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures.” F.M. Alexander John Doe

Let's chat!

Contact Us

Email: bryan@freedomfp.co.za

Mobile: 083 564 3488

Freedom Financial Planning (Pty) Ltd (2022/407295/07) is an authorised financial services provider – FSP No. 52661

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