Jay Fedak, CFP®
CFP® @ Fedak Financial Planning| Core Planning, LLC
April 17, 2026
By Jay Fedak, CFP® Fedak Financial Planning – A Fee-Only Fiduciary Planner
One of the most common questions people ask is:
“Is working with a financial planner really worth it?”
The honest answer in most circumstances is absolutely yes. But the value doesn’t come from a single number—it comes from better decisions made over time.
That’s where it gets tricky.
You don’t get to compare two versions of your life—one with advice and one without. You only live one path. And if you can’t predict your own future decisions, it becomes nearly impossible to calculate what better decisions might have changed.
Still, while the value can’t be measured precisely, it can be illustrated.
A Simple Side-by-Side Example
Let’s look at a hypothetical couple starting at age 25.
Both earn $50,000, with income rising over time. They eventually marry, buy a home, and have two children.
We’ll compare two paths:
Example A:
No structured financial planning
Example B:
Financial planning taken seriously
1. Retirement (401(k))
Example A:
Saves 4%, plus a 4% match Invested in a target-date fund, which gradually increases bond exposure over time. Assumed return: ~6%
Example B:
Saves 10%, plus a 4% match Invested for long-term growth in a low-cost S&P 500 index fund. Assumed return: ~8%
Outcome
Example A:
At retirement, they end up with approximately $4,000,000 to $5,000,000
Example B:
At retirement, they approximately $10,000,000 to $12,000,000.
Difference: roughly $5,000,000 to $7,000,000
2. Buying a Home
Example A:
Buys immediately 0% down, 6% mortgage, pays PMI
Example B:
Has the option to live in an in-law suite at very low cost and chooses to wait two years, continuing to save while living with minimal expenses. Builds a full 20% down payment ($60,000) During that time, interest rates decline from 6% to ~4%. Purchases with no PMI and a stronger financial position
Outcome
Example A:
Total cost of house is approximately $660,000+
Example B:
Total cost of house is approximately $472,000
Difference: roughly $180,000 to $200,000
3. College Savings
Example A:
Saves $7,000 per year in an UTMA held in money market (~2%). Earnings are generally taxable along the way, reducing growth. Withdrawals do not receive special tax treatment for education
Example B:
Same $7,000 per year in a 529 plan Invested for in S&P 500 ETF. Earnings grow tax-deferred. Withdrawals are 100% tax-free when used for qualified higher education expenses
Outcome (15 years)
Example A:
Approximately $120,000
Example B:
Approximately $190,000 to $200,000
Difference: roughly $70,000 to $85,000+, depending on the impact of taxes over time
What This Actually Shows
Across just three areas:
Retirement: $5,000,000 to $7,000,000 difference Home: approximately $200,000 difference College: approximately $70,000 to $85,000+ difference
These are meaningful gaps.
But they don’t come from one big decision.
They come from small, better decisions—repeated over decades.
Why This Still Can’t Be Precisely Measured
Even with these numbers, you still can’t say:
“A financial planner created $X of value.”
Because:
Markets don’t move in straight lines. Life doesn’t follow a script. Behavior changes over time.
And most importantly:
You don’t get to see what would have happened otherwise.
The Real Takeaway
The biggest financial mistake usually isn’t one bad move.
It’s not taking financial planning seriously enough over time.
Because the real value of planning isn’t found in a single decision.
It’s found in making better decisions, consistently, for decades.
Bottom Line
A financial planner doesn’t guarantee a better outcome.
But they can improve the quality and consistency of your decisions—and over time, that can make a very significant difference.
Jay Fedak, CFP® is a financial planner based in New Milford, Connecticut who works with individuals, families, and healthcare professionals on their financial planning needs. To schedule a complimentary consultation, visit fedakfinancialplanning.com or call 860-750-9200.