A note from Josiah

Headshot of Eric Simonson; a bald man smiling, wearing a red and blue gingham pattern collared shirt.

I first connected with Eric Simonson in October 2021, during the early stages of developing Flat Fee Advisors. I shared my vision for a tool that matches consumers exclusively with flat fee financial advisors and hourly-rate financial advisors who are fiduciary, independent, and fee-only and invited him to include his firm in our service. He agreed, sharing his passion for the flat fee model and his concerns on how “asset based fees can be astoundingly high and really erode one’s progress towards their goals.” Today, his dedication to flat fee financial advising and in particular, advice-only financial advising continues to shine brightly at Abundo Wealth.

Honest, Transparent, and Flat-Fee Financial Advice at Abundo Wealth

When I started Abundo Wealth, I wasn't trying to start a trend or disrupt an industry just for the sake of it. It came from a place of frustration, hope, and the genuine desire to make things better for people like me — people who want transparent financial advice without feeling taken advantage of.

The flaws of traditional financial advising

I spent years observing the traditional financial advisory landscape, and the more I saw, the more I realized just how broken it was. So much of the industry is built on complex fees and hidden agendas. Advisors often make more money from selling certain products than actually providing quality advice, and those with less wealth often get left behind. It bothered me that, in an industry meant to serve people, so many individuals were being treated like just another number—or worse, not served at all.

Honest, client-first financial planning

I wanted to create something different, something human. Abundo was born out of my belief that everyone deserves access to honest, thoughtful financial advice—not just those with a certain number of zeros in their bank account. I wanted to make financial planning approachable, affordable, and, most importantly, aligned with the best interests of the people I serve. I believed that if I could be upfront about costs, remove conflicts of interest, and focus on real value, it could change how people felt about managing their money.

Advice-only financial planning

The idea of “advice-only” resonated with me because it removes so many of the pitfalls that come with commission-based or asset-under-management models. It felt right—it aligned with my values of honesty and transparency. I wasn't interested in pushing products, and I certainly didn’t want to profit from my clients' investments. I wanted my clients to know that the advice I was giving them was for their benefit, not mine. And that’s where Abundo really took shape—as a place where people could get solid financial guidance without wondering if there was a catch.

Building Abundo has been about putting people first, creating a space where financial planning is about empowerment rather than fear or confusion. It’s about helping people feel in control of their financial lives, whether they’re just starting out or managing a big transition. I knew there had to be a better way—and Abundo is my way of offering that better path to those who need it.

When I first envisioned Abundo, I knew I wanted it to be different from the conventional financial advisory firms. I wanted it to be personal, approachable, and genuine. Too often, financial advisors focus solely on clients who have significant wealth, leaving everyone else to navigate their financial futures alone. This exclusivity never sat well with me. I wanted Abundo to be accessible to anyone who needed guidance—whether they were just starting to save, navigating debt, or making plans for retirement. Financial health shouldn’t be a privilege reserved for the wealthy—it should be a right available to everyone.

Flat fee financial advice, not assets under management

One of the first steps in building Abundo was determining how to price our services in a way that made sense for everyday people. Traditional advisors often charge based on the amount of assets under management, which can create a conflict of interest. The more money they manage, the more they make, which sometimes leads to advice that isn't necessarily in the client's best interest. I wanted to remove this barrier entirely. Instead, we offer straightforward, flat fees. This approach means our clients always know what they are paying and, more importantly, why they are paying it. There are no surprises, no hidden fees, and no agenda other than helping our clients succeed.

Education and empowerment for financial freedom

Another driving force behind Abundo was the desire to educate. I’ve always believed that financial literacy is one of the most powerful tools a person can have. Unfortunately, it's not something that most people are taught, whether in school or at home. Many of the clients I work with come to me feeling overwhelmed by their finances simply because they haven't had the opportunity to learn the basics of saving, investing, or budgeting. I wanted Abundo to be a place where people could not only receive advice but also learn about their financial options in a way that makes sense. My goal has always been to empower clients to make informed decisions, rather than making them feel like they need to depend on someone else for every financial move.

Addressing the emotional side of financial planning

I also wanted to address the emotional side of financial planning. Money is a deeply personal topic, and it often carries a lot of emotional weight—fear, guilt, anxiety, and even shame. I wanted Abundo to be a place where people could talk about their financial lives without judgment. Financial struggles are incredibly common, yet they’re rarely talked about openly. I knew that if I could create a space where people felt heard and understood, it would make all the difference. Abundo Wealth is as much about listening as it is about advising. I want my clients to feel comfortable sharing their goals, their worries, and their dreams, because those are the things that matter most when creating a financial plan.

Personalized financial planning

It’s not just about the numbers—it’s about the people behind those numbers. Every individual has a unique story, and their financial plan should reflect that. I take the time to get to know each of my clients on a personal level. What are their values? What do they want their future to look like? What keeps them up at night? By understanding these aspects of their lives, I can provide advice that truly aligns with their goals. This personalized approach is at the core of what we do at Abundo. It’s not just about managing money—it’s about helping people build the lives they want for themselves and their families.

Flexible flat fee financial advice for life’s changes

Another aspect that sets Abundo apart is our commitment to flexibility. Life is unpredictable, and financial plans need to be able to adapt to changes. Whether it’s a new job, a growing family, or an unexpected health issue, people’s circumstances change, and their financial plans should be able to change with them. At Abundo, I work closely with clients to make adjustments as needed, ensuring that their financial strategies are always aligned with their current situation. It’s about being a partner through every stage of life, not just creating a one-time plan and walking away.

The meaning of Abundo

The name "Abundo" itself is meaningful to me. It comes from the Latin word for "abundance." To me, abundance isn’t just about having a lot of money—it’s about having enough to live the life you want, to feel secure, and to be able to give back. That’s what I want for my clients. I want them to feel like they have enough—enough security, enough freedom, and enough peace of mind to truly enjoy their lives. Financial planning is a tool to help people achieve that sense of abundance, whatever that means for them personally.

The impact of Abundo’s flat fee financial advice

One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been seeing the impact that our work has on people’s lives. I’ve had clients who, after working with Abundo, have felt confident enough to take risks they never would have considered before—starting a new business, traveling the world, or even just enjoying their retirement without constantly worrying about running out of money. Knowing that I’ve been able to help people take control of their financial futures and live their lives more fully is why I do this work. It’s why I started Abundo, and it’s what drives me every day.

It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m grateful for every client who’s trusted me to be part of their story. Abundo isn’t just a business to me—it’s a way to contribute to a world where financial advice is about genuinely helping people thrive. I hope that as we grow, we can continue to reach more people, break down more barriers, and change the way financial planning is done. I believe that everyone deserves to feel financially secure, to have someone in their corner who believes in them, and to have access to the tools they need to build the future they want.

Up next

In "The Accessibility of Flat Fee Financial Advisors Near You," I discuss that while traditional financial advisors often cater to high-net-worth individuals, flat-fee financial advisors are changing the landscape by making quality financial advice accessible to everyone, regardless of their wealth. This shift is due to a fee structure that doesn't rely on assets under management, eliminating the conflict of interest that can arise when advisors' income is tied to their clients' portfolio size.

By charging a fixed fee for their services, flat-fee financial advisors open their doors to individuals who may have been excluded from traditional financial planning due to lower account balances. This inclusivity ensures that people from all walks of life can access professional guidance to navigate their financial journeys, whether they're just starting to save, tackling debt, or planning for retirement.