Money Pickle was founded in 2021 by three Michigan State graduates who wanted to make financial education more accessible and convenient for everyone. The company is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment adviser, and its CEO is Brenton Thurman. The only advice Money Pickle directly provides is guidance on selecting an investment adviser.
Essentially, Money Pickle is a referral service for its network of 3rd-party financial advisors. Each advisor are pre-screened to align with specific qualifications. Advisors are expected to follow a code of conduct that emphasizes high ethical standards. Money Pickle-referred professionals are matched to you based on your unique situation, to help you navigate your most pressing financial needs, including retirement planning, investment strategies, estate planning, tax planning, debt management, insurance, wealth preservation and risk management.
The platform matches users with financial advisors most suitable for their needs and goals utilizing a matchmaking algorithm. Users can conveniently choose the meeting time and receive a video chat link for their scheduled appointment. During the appointment, users are encouraged to ask questions or express concerns, receiving personalized professional guidance regarding their unique financial situation without pressure or obligation to purchase products or services.
- People seeking a convenient way to meet with a financial advisor
- People who want unbiased and ethical advice from a fiduciary
- People trying financial advisors for the first time without paying hefty fees
- Easy to use and access from any device
- No subscription or membership fees required
- No minimum account balance or income level needed
- Wide range of topics covered, from investing to retirement planning
- Financial advisors who meet strict criteria and standards
- Lack of visibility into the cost of ongoing financial advisor services
- Financial advisor pool may be limited
Money Pickle Ratings at a Glance
Money Pickle Product Offering
Money Pickle offers a simple and convenient way to connect with a professional financial advisor who meets your needs and covers the cost of the initial video chat appointment.
You can schedule a free video meeting with a matched advisor at a time that suits you. Just choose the option to talk to an advisor on the homepage. From there, you'll be asked to fill out a brief form with your financial information and provide your name, contact details and preferred time slot. This data will enable Money Pickle to link you with the advisor who can assist you best.
Their matching algorithm will connect you with a financial advisor who meets Money Pickle's high standards. It has a vetting process to look for partner advisors who offer investment advice, retirement planning and financial strategies. Advisors must have over five years of experience, demonstrate an excellent understanding of market dynamics and financial planning techniques and maintain a clean standing on BrokerCheck to ensure trust and transparency. They must also be certified financial planners (CFPs), hybrid financial advisors or fee-only fiduciaries. A fee-only fiduciary is an advisor who does not receive commissions when recommending financial products and is only paid directly by clients. Fiduciaries are legally and ethically bound to prioritize the client's best interests.
You will be sent a link to join a video meeting with your advisor. During the appointment, feel free to ask any questions you have about your financial situation and goals. The advisor will provide a professional second opinion and valuable insights. They may also offer additional services and showcase the value that can be provided through an ongoing relationship, but you are not required to accept them — meaning this is the perfect time to decide what is right for you.
Money Pickle makes it easy to find the professional financial advice you are looking for. Like an Uber of financial advisors, the platform provides access to trusted and qualified experts on demand without requiring a long-term commitment. With Money Pickle, you can easily find the financial advice you need at your convenience.
The company has a responsive and friendly support team that can be reached via email, phone or chat. The website also has a FAQ section that addresses common queries and issues. Money Pickle is dedicated to providing high-quality service and resolving any problems or complaints that may arise. Additional transparency about financial advisor pricing after the complimentary call might be helpful, but that depends on each unique situation.
Money Pickle does not charge a fee to match users with a third-party advisor or to book a video call with them. The advisors cover the cost of the appointment, as they see it as an opportunity to advertise their value and expertise. If you decide to work with a third-party advisor beyond the initial appointment, you will have to pay for their services according to their rates and terms.
Money Pickle does not disclose the fees or commissions that the advisors charge, as they vary depending on the advisor and the type and scope of the service. It offers a free and convenient way to connect with an advisor, but you don’t have clarity upfront about the potential costs of working with an advisor long-term.
Money Pickle provides a comprehensive set of benefits to users seeking professional financial advice:
- Flexibility: You can get matched with an advisor aligned with your financial goals and decide whether to continue working with them after the initial appointment. You’ll also get personalized and unbiased advice from trusted advisors, allowing you to determine if the matched advisor is the right fit for you moving forward based on your initial meeting.
- Convenience: Schedule your video appointments without the hassle of travel or phone tag. This time-saving approach allows you to get personalized advice on your terms.
- Affordability: Advisors cover the cost of the initial video appointment, providing a free second opinion on your financial questions. This saves you money and offers valuable insight on the additional value they can provide you without any obligation or pressure to hire them.
- Quality: Access high-quality, unbiased and professional advice from advisors meeting stringent standards of knowledge, reliability and ethics. These advisors can make quite a difference for the average consumer, but every situation is different.
- Wide coverage: Users can benefit from a broad range of financial services covering retirement planning, investment strategies, tax planning, wealth preservation, insurance coverage, debt management, estate planning and risk management. You’ll receive advice tailored to specific life events or situations, such as preparing early retirement, family planning, financial windfall, buying a home, starting a business, getting married or dealing with financial uncertainty.
Money Pickle's user benefits receive a rating of 4.5 out of 5, offering value, convenience and diverse financial solutions to meet various needs and goals.
Navigating Money Pickle's platform is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly design. The website is clear and intuitive. It offers a quick and easy booking process, followed by a convenient and secure video call experience.
Users have the chance to share their thoughts through ratings and reviews of their advisor experiences, although it’s unclear whether this impacts financial advisor matching. Money Pickle values user feedback, encouraging suggestions to enhance its service. The service is convenient for everyone, as the platform works smoothly on various devices and browsers.
Money Pickle earns a solid 4.5 out of 5 rating for user experience.
Money Pickle vs. Competitors
Money Pickle is a platform connecting investors with vetted financial planners, similar to competitors like Merrill Advisor Match, Charles Schwab Advisor Services, Edward Jones and Domain Money. These platforms offer comparable services like matching investors with advisors, though they may not directly set up the appointment for you. Many of the other platforms also offer diverse investment products and tools. Differences exist in fees, the advisor network and the level of personalization. Many of the larger brokers have access to vast networks of financial advisors and have been established for a long time.
Money Pickle earns an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5. It specializes in connecting users with trusted financial advisors, offering personalized and unbiased advice through free video calls and additional fee-based services. A user-friendly platform, available through any web browser, simplifies navigation. The responsive customer service team, accessible via email, phone or chat, provides friendly assistance. The ongoing services are a bit unclear, like if you can keep setting up calls and whether you will be matched with different advisors each time.
FAQs
What does a financial advisor do?
A financial advisor is a professional who can assist you in managing different aspects of your financial life, such as budgeting, saving, investing, planning and more. Depending on your needs and objectives, they can offer varied services such as investment management, financial planning or wealth management.
Are financial advisors free?
Financial advisors usually charge for their services, but some may provide free or low-cost initial consultations. The fees and costs of financial advisors can vary depending on the type, scope and quality of the service.
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About Anna Yen
Anna Yen, CFA is a personal finance writer with over two decades of professional finance and writing experience in roles within JPMorgan and UBS derivatives, asset management, crypto, and Family Money Map. She specializes in writing about personal finance topics ranging from investments, budgeting, debt management, credit, student loans, insurance, and retirement planning to real estate and cryptocurrencies. Her work has been published on sites like Quicken, the crypto exchange Bybit, and Credit.com.