Creative Money is a registered investment advisor founded in 2009 and based in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. The firm specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning services to individuals, families, and business owners. Creative Money does not directly manage client portfolios or custody funds; instead, the firm focuses on advice and strategies across various areas including retirement planning, cash flow and debt management, college savings, employee benefits optimization, estate planning support, tax planning strategies, and risk management. Clients work with the team on a fixed-fee or project basis, receiving detailed written reports and action plans tailored to their specific life and financial goals. The firm emphasizes passive investment strategies and fundamental analysis when making recommendations, but leaves trade execution and account custody up to the client.
Fee Structure
Creative Money offers a variety of fixed-fee financial planning sessions and project updates, with pricing varying depending on whether you work with a staff financial planner or the firm's founder, Melinda Crary:
- Young/Basic or Single Person Plan Update — $1,600 with a staff planner or $1,800 with Melinda Crary, for reviewing a previous plan without major life changes.
- Established Couple/Family/Retiree/Complex Plan Update — $1,800 with a staff planner or $2,000 with Melinda Crary, for couples reviewing an existing plan.
- Strategy Session (Young/Basic Single) — $2,300 with a staff planner or $2,600 with Melinda Crary, designed for starting careers without a home.
- Strategy Session (Young/Basic Couple) — $2,800 with a staff planner or $3,000 with Melinda Crary, for young couples starting out.
- Strategy Session (Established Single) — $2,700 with a staff planner or $3,000 with Melinda Crary, for established single homeowners or parents.
- Strategy Session (Established Couple) — $3,200 with a staff planner or $3,500 with Melinda Crary, for established couples who own or are buying a home.
- Strategy Session (Established Family) — $3,600 with a staff planner or $3,800 with Melinda Crary, for families with children and complex investments.
- Strategy Session (Pre-Retirement Single) — $3,000 with a staff planner or $3,300 with Melinda Crary, focused on pre-retirement planning.
- Strategy Session (Pre-Retirement Couple) — $3,600 with a staff planner or $3,800 with Melinda Crary, for couples nearing retirement.
- Strategy Session (Retirement Timeline Single) — $3,200 with a staff planner or $3,500 with Melinda Crary, for singles retiring within two years.
- Strategy Session (Retirement Timeline Couple) — $3,700 with a staff planner or $3,900 with Melinda Crary, for couples retiring within two years.
- Complex Session — $4,200 with a staff planner or $4,500 with Melinda Crary, for individuals or couples with complex assets like trusts or rental properties.
- Hourly Consulting — $475 per hour with a staff planner or $550 per hour with Melinda Crary, available to existing clients for specific requests.