Retire Sooner in Venice, CA — Work with a Fee-Only Fiduciary Financial Advisor at Westlight Wealth

Fee-Only Financial Advisor in Venice, CA

As a fiduciary CFP® in Venice—trusted by families from Abbot Kinney to Marina del Rey—we deliver the unbiased advice you expect from a Santa Monica financial planner but with true neighborhood accessibility.

How to Retire Sooner Without Sacrificing Lifestyle

Most clients discover they can retire two years early once we streamline taxes and accelerate their retirement timeline through disciplined cash-flow planning. A 2024 national survey found that Americans who work with a financial advisor expect to retire at age 64, while those who do not expect to work with a financial advisor think age 66 is a more realistic retirement age [1]. Two years may not sound like a considerable amount, but it represents an extra twenty-four months of freedom, travel, and time with loved ones. Confidence also increases: investors with an advisor report feeling “very financially secure” at nearly twice the rate of those without professional help [1]. Would you rather rest easy at night?

The Advice Gap Is Still Wide

Even with that clear upside, only about 37% of the general public currently uses a financial advisor [2]. In other words, roughly two-thirds of Americans are still trying to chart a lifelong financial course on their own. Many know they need help. 66% admit their financial plan needs improvement, but haven’t yet reached out. This gap between need and action is the opening where a thoughtful, client-first advisor can make the most significant difference.

Confidence Outweighs Headlines

Surveys also show trust is shifting back toward expert guidance. In the 2024 Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress Study, financial advisors rank as the single most-trusted source of financial advice for 33% of respondents, more than double the share who rely on family or friends and eight times the number who trust social media [1]. The data cuts through noisy headlines and proves that steady, objective counsel is still valued when the stakes involve life savings.

A Growing Demand for Holistic Planning

Needs are also changing. Five years ago, most investors primarily sought help with their portfolios. Today, a majority (52%) say they want comprehensive advice that spans taxes, insurance, retirement income, and estate planning [3]. This surge means that people don’t just want an investment pick; they want a plan that shows how everything fits together. Advisors who can deliver full-spectrum planning are now meeting the market where it is headed, not where it has been.

Why Your Search Should Start in Venice or Santa Monica

Los Angeles is one of the nation’s largest wealth hubs, home to a diverse mix of career paths, entrepreneurial ventures, and real estate assets. The city also hosts one of the highest concentrations of financial advisors in the country. Choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Focusing your search on a fee-only financial advisor in Santa Monica narrows the field to professionals who are geographically close, legally obligated to act in your best interest, and experienced with California-specific tax and estate rules.

What to Expect in Your First Meeting

Your first session lasts approximately an hour and is entirely focused on you. Before proceeding, we kindly request that you gather your recent tax returns, investment statements, and a rough household budget. If these documents are not readily available, estimates are acceptable. During the meeting, we listen first, mapping out your goals and concerns before describing how a planning relationship works. There is no product pitch and no obligation to sign anything on the spot. Within three business days, you will receive a concise follow-up note summarizing what we learned, the scope of services we recommend, and a clear explanation of fees, allowing you to review everything at your own pace.

Questions to Ask Any Advisor (and Red Flags)

Going in with the right questions levels the playing field. Start by verifying whether the advisor is a fee-only fiduciary at all times and whether this claim is substantiated in Form ADV Part II. Ask how they are compensated, how often they meet with clients, and what services are included in the fee you will pay. Find out which custodian holds client assets, what their investment philosophy is, and how they coordinate with your CPA or attorney. Request examples of planning deliverables so you can see the work product, and ask about the advisor’s experience during the most recent bear market. If any answer feels vague, if costs are difficult to determine, or if the advisor deflects questions about conflicts of interest, consider that a signal to keep searching.

Fee-Only vs Fee-Based: What’s the Real Difference?

Compensation models shape incentives. Some advisors earn commissions from mutual funds, annuities, or insurance policies they sell. Others charge asset-based fees or flat retainers. “Fee-based” can sound similar to “fee-only,” but the two terms are not interchangeable. Fee-based advisors may collect both fees and commissions. Fee-only advisors receive compensation solely from clients, not product providers. This structure helps remove potential conflicts of interest and makes your costs transparent from day one.

The Power of Fee-Only Fiduciary Service

A fiduciary is legally required to place your interests ahead of their own. All fee-only advisors who register as investment advisers must meet this standard at all times, not just when giving limited recommendations. While only a small slice of the industry operates as pure fee-only fiduciaries, that group is growing as clients demand more transparency. Working with a fiduciary means the advice you receive is aligned with your goals, free from hidden product incentives, and designed to withstand regulatory scrutiny.

The Weight Behind Three Letters: CFP®

You will see many designations in finance, but CFP®, Certified Financial Planner®, remains the benchmark. To earn it, a candidate must log 6,000 hours of planning experience, complete a broad education curriculum, hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and pass a six-hour comprehensive exam. They then agree to ongoing ethics oversight and continuing education every two years. For you, the letters mean a better-trained advisor who must act as a fiduciary when providing advice. In a marketplace crowded with titles, CFP is one that truly adds depth.

The Cost of Going It Alone

Skipping professional guidance may seem like a way to save money, but the trade-offs are real. According to the 2024 Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress Study, households that work with an advisor expect to retire two years earlier than those who do not, and they report roughly double the median retirement savings [1]. Beyond the financial considerations, investors without advice report higher stress and lower confidence in achieving their long-term goals. Add in common DIY mistakes—missing employer matches, selling in a panic, or paying unnecessary taxes—and the lifetime cost of “free” advice can quietly climb into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Our Financial Planning Six-Step Process

First we hold a discovery meeting where you describe your goals, values, and financial reality. Second, we translate those raw details into measurable objectives and timelines. Third, we draft a comprehensive plan that covers cash flow, investments, taxes, insurance, and estate considerations. Fourth, we review that plan with you in plain language and agree on any refinements. Fifth, we implement the recommendations, coordinating with your outside professionals as needed. Sixth, we monitor progress and adjust strategies as life and markets evolve, meeting at least twice per year and staying available whenever questions arise.

Why Westlight Wealth Is Different

Westlight Wealth is a fee-only fiduciary firm based in Santa Monica. Your advisor holds the CFP® designation and maintains a deliberately low client-to-advisor ratio, while Interactive Brokers holds custody of assets for transparent, low-cost trading. We reinvest in planning technology and compliance oversight each year, ensuring our processes stay sharp and regulators remain informed. Because we earn nothing from commissions, every recommendation is driven by what moves you closer to your goals, not by what pays us.

Behavioral Coaching: Staying on Course

Money decisions feel logical on paper, yet real life often stirs strong emotions. Market swings can tempt even seasoned investors to buy high when everyone is excited or sell low when fear sets in. A financial plan works only if you stick with it through thick and thin.

A key part of an advisor’s value is acting as a behavioral coach. When headlines shout doom or hype, we remind you of your long-term goals and the research behind the strategy you chose. We blend data with perspective, showing how staying invested historically beats jumping in and out. By separating facts from feelings, you avoid costly knee-jerk reactions that can set retirement back by years.

Behavioral coaching also keeps you proactive instead of reactive. Rather than chasing hot tips, we help you focus on controllable actions like saving, tax efficiency, and disciplined rebalancing. Over time, this calm guidance turns turbulent markets into opportunities instead of threats. It is the guardrail that keeps your financial journey on track, letting you focus on living your life rather than worrying about every market headline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between a fiduciary and an advisor who follows the suitability standard?

A fiduciary must always prioritize your interests. An advisor operating under the suitability rule only has to recommend something “appropriate,” even if it is not the best—or lowest-cost option for you.

How is fee-only different from fee-based?

Fee-only means the firm is paid solely by clients. Fee-based means the advisor can accept both client fees and product commissions, which can create conflicts of interest.

Is there an account minimum?

Yes. We generally begin new relationships with $250,000 in investable assets. If you're close to that threshold and value comprehensive planning, please reach out, and we can discuss whether we’re a good fit.

Can you work virtually?

Yes. Secure video meetings and an encrypted client portal make it easy to collaborate from anywhere while keeping your data safe.

How often will we meet?

Formal reviews are conducted at least once a year, with additional check-ins held whenever a major life event or market shift necessitates one. You can also reach out at any time if you have questions.

Can you coordinate with my accountant and attorney?

Absolutely. Integrated planning is part of our service, and we are happy to collaborate with your tax and legal professionals to keep every piece of your plan aligned.

A Simple Next Step

If you are ready to explore how professional planning could improve your financial life, schedule a fifteen-minute introductory call with Westlight Wealth. In that short conversation, we can answer your initial questions, outline our fee-only fiduciary process, and see whether we are the right partner to help you reach the future you imagine.

• Gustaf Rounick, CFP®, ChFC®

Compliance & Disclosures

Westlight Wealth is an investment adviser registered with the State of California. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. All information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Advisory services are offered only to clients or prospective clients where Westlight Wealth and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. For a detailed description of services, fees, and potential conflicts of interest, please request Form ADV Part II or visit the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website.

Works Cited

[1] https://news.northwesternmutual.com/2024-07-09-Americans-with-a-financial-advisor-expect-to-retire-two-years-earlier-according-to-Northwestern-Mutuals-Planning-Progress-Study

[2] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/northwestern-mutual-research-shows-that-nearly-half-of-american-millionaires-believe-their-financial-plans-need-improvement-and-a-third-think-they-could-outlive-their-savings-301924359.html

[3] https://www.lpl.com/join-lpl/why-choose-lpl/news-and-insights/financial-planning-for-client-acquisition-success.html