An Introduction into Range's Holistic Services

Tony Molina, CPA
October 29, 2024

An Introduction into Range's Holistic Services

We believe the financial advisory industry is failing. Most advisors provide minimal financial planning guidance — limited by their expertise, available information, and misaligned incentives.

Pricing also remains intentionally opaque — most people have no idea what they pay their financial advisor and wouldn't even know how to look it up. Advisory firms are often just content to put their clients' money in an indexed portfolio and collect compounding fees year over year in exchange for a few portfolio review meetings.

Range is different. We believe the technology available today enables us to provide a substantially better financial planning experience than anything else available to average consumers. As a tech company, we're rebuilding financial planning from the ground up to help households manage their money faster, more affordably, and accurately than any other resource in the world.

The Range difference: technology-driven, expert-led wealth management

Unlike traditional financial advisors who often specialize in just one or two areas, Range provides an all-in-one platform that spans the entire financial landscape. This integrated approach allows Range to consider the complex interplay between different aspects of your financial life, from your investment portfolio and tax situation to your retirement goals and estate plan.

But Range's platform is more than just a one-stop-shop for financial services. It's powered by cutting-edge technology that provides real-time insights, personalized recommendations, and 24/7 access to your financial information. Whether you're checking your investment performance, updating your budget, or messaging your advisor team, our platform puts you in control of your financial life.

What’s more, instead of working with a single advisor who may or may not have expertise in all areas of finance, Range members are supported by a diverse team of experts. This team includes Certified Financial Planners, tax professionals, estate planning specialists, and more, all working together to provide holistic, coordinated advice.

But perhaps the most striking difference between Range and traditional wealth management firms is its pricing structure. Range operates on a flat-fee model, charging a transparent annual fee based on the level of service you require. No hidden fees, commissions, or assets under management (AUM) fees exist.

Here’s a closer look at the full spectrum of our services.

Investing

At the heart of any wealth management strategy is investing. Range's approach to investing is grounded in the principles of modern portfolio theory, which emphasizes the importance of diversification and risk management. When you become a Range member, your advisor team will start by thoroughly analyzing your existing portfolio. They'll look at your current asset allocation, evaluate your holdings, and identify potential areas of concern.

Range offers two primary ways to help members optimize their investment portfolios: investment planning and investment management. With investment planning, Range provides personalized recommendations for optimizing your portfolio based on your risk profile and goals. This might involve adjusting your asset allocation, diversifying into new asset classes, or incorporating alternative investments like real estate or private equity.

For those seeking investment management, Range offers fully managed portfolios at 0% AUM — a unique feature that sets us apart from traditional advisors. Most Range members take advantage of both services, but importantly, members are not required to move any money to receive investment recommendations.

Tax planning

Unlike traditional financial advisors, who rarely provide strategic tax planning services, tax optimization is a core component of Range's wealth management approach.

Range tax professionals will analyze your return, identify any missed opportunities for deductions or credits, and look for ways to optimize your tax situation going forward. They'll also provide forward-looking tax projections based on your expected income, investments, and other financial activities. These projections can help you make better decisions about everything from your investment strategy to your charitable giving.

One key tax optimization strategy that Range employs is tax-loss harvesting. This involves strategically selling investments that have declined in value to offset capital gains in other parts of your portfolio. By realizing these losses, you can reduce your overall tax liability while maintaining your target asset allocation.

Range also offers specialized tax planning services for complex financial situations. For example, if you hold cryptocurrency, Range can help you navigate the often-murky tax implications of these digital assets. If you own real estate investments, Range can advise on strategies like 1031 exchanges and depreciation to minimize your tax burden. And if you have equity compensation like stock options or restricted stock units, Range can help you understand the tax consequences and develop a plan to maximize their value.

Retirement planning

Retirement is often the ultimate financial goal. But planning for it can be complicated, especially if you have multiple income streams, varying expenses, and evolving needs. Range's retirement planning services are designed to help you cut through the complexity and develop a clear, actionable plan for achieving your version of financial freedom.

Your Range advisor team will work with you to understand your current financial situation, your expected income sources in retirement, and your projected expenses. They'll then use modeling tools to determine how much you'll need to save to maintain your desired lifestyle in retirement.

Based on this analysis, Range will develop personalized retirement savings and investment strategies. This might include increasing your contributions to tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, adjusting your investment allocation to balance growth and stability, or exploring alternative income sources like rental properties.

But retirement planning isn't just about accumulation–it's also about distribution. As you near retirement, Range will work with you to develop a tax-efficient distribution strategy. This might involve converting traditional IRA funds to a Roth IRA, planning your Social Security claiming strategy, or establishing a charitable giving plan to reduce your tax burden in retirement.

Because tax laws and your financial situation may change over time, Range provides ongoing support. Your advisor team will regularly review your retirement plan, make adjustments as needed, and keep you informed of any legislative or regulatory changes.

Estate planning

Building wealth is one thing–protecting it is another. Range's estate, education, and insurance services are designed to help you safeguard your assets, provide for your loved ones, and ensure that your legacy lives on.

Your Range advisor team will start by evaluating your existing estate plan (if you have one) to ensure that it accurately reflects your current wishes and is optimized for tax efficiency. If you don't have an estate plan, Range can provide guidance on creating one, including the drafting of essential documents like wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.

If you have children or grandchildren, Range can help you navigate education savings, most often through 529 plans. Your team will work with you to develop a personalized education savings strategy that takes into account your funding goals, tax situation, and risk tolerance.

Range also offers insurance planning services to help you protect your wealth and your loved ones. This includes an optimization analysis of your existing insurance coverage across all types–life, disability, property and casualty, and more. Your Range team will identify any gaps in your coverage and provide recommendations for securing the right types and amounts of insurance based on your needs.

Real estate

Whether you own a primary residence, rental properties, or commercial real estate, Range can help you maximize the value of your property investments.

If you're considering purchasing a primary residence, Range can advise on financing options, tax implications, and how the purchase fits into your overall financial plan. For those looking to sell a primary residence, Range can advise on strategies to minimize capital gains taxes, such as taking advantage of the primary residence exclusion.

For investment property owners, Range offers a suite of services to help you maximize your returns. This starts with analyzing your existing properties, including a review of your ownership structure, financing, and property performance. Range can then provide recommendations for optimizing your real estate portfolio, such as diversifying into new markets, refinancing to secure better loan terms, or divesting underperforming properties.

Range also offers tax planning services specifically tailored to real estate investors. This includes strategies for minimizing your tax liability, such as taking advantage of depreciation deductions, conducting 1031 exchanges to defer capital gains, and optimizing your rental income and expenses.

Equity compensation

Equity compensation is an increasingly common way for companies to attract and retain top talent. But navigating stock options, restricted stock units, and other forms of equity compensation can be time-consuming. Range's equity compensation services are designed to help you make sense of your company stock and develop a strategy for maximizing its value.

It starts with a thorough evaluation of your existing equity compensation package. Your team will review the details of your stock options, RSUs, or other equity awards, including vesting schedules, exercise prices, and expiration dates. They'll then provide an analysis of the potential value of your equity based on different growth scenarios and exit strategies.

Range can also help you plan for key equity events, such as IPOs, mergers, and acquisitions, or early exercise decisions. Your advisor team will work with you to develop a strategic plan for managing your equity through these events, considering factors like tax implications, cash flow needs, and your overall financial goals.

One of the most complex aspects of equity compensation is the tax implications. Range's tax professionals can provide detailed projections of the potential tax consequences of exercising options, selling shares, or holding equity long-term. They can also advise on strategies for minimizing your tax liability, such as taking advantage of qualified small business stock (QSBS) rules or strategically timing your equity transactions.

Cash flow management

Without a clear understanding of your income and expenses, it's difficult to make informed decisions about saving, investing, and spending. Range's cash flow management services are designed to give you a complete picture of your financial inflows and outflows so you can optimize your resources and achieve your goals.

We will work with you to gather data on your earned income, investment income, rental income, and other revenue streams. We’ll also help you categorize your expenses, from essential costs like housing and healthcare to discretionary spending like travel and entertainment.

Based on this assessment, Range will provide recommendations for optimizing your cash flow. This might involve strategies for increasing your income, such as negotiating a raise or starting a side hustle. It could also include tactics for reducing your expenses, like cutting unnecessary subscriptions or refinancing high-interest debt.

For members who want to take a more hands-on approach to cash flow management, Range offers a suite of DIY budgeting and projection tools. These tools allow you to create custom budgets, set savings goals, and model different cash flow scenarios based on your expected income and expenses. And because the tools are integrated with the Range platform, your advisor team can provide guidance and support as needed.

How we support our members

We believe that wealth management is about more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. It's about empowering our members to make informed financial decisions, achieve their goals, and live the lives they envision for themselves and their families.

That’s why our services combine the power of technology with the human touch of our expert advisor teams.

It starts with access. As a member, you'll have unlimited access to your dedicated advisor team through our secure online platform. Whether you have a quick question about your investment performance or need in-depth guidance on a major financial decision, your team is always just a message away. And for more complex topics, you can easily schedule one-on-one sessions with your advisors.

But Range's support goes beyond just reactive advice. Our services are built around proactive planning and regular check-ins. Your advisor team will work with you to establish a clear set of financial goals and develop a comprehensive plan for achieving them. They'll then monitor your progress on an ongoing basis, providing regular updates and making adjustments as needed to keep you on track.

To power this proactive approach, Range has developed a suite of proprietary tools and AI-driven insights. Our platform aggregates data from all aspects of your financial life – your investment accounts, your bank accounts, your credit cards, and more – to provide a real-time, 360-degree view of your finances. Our algorithms then analyze this data to identify opportunities for optimization, flag potential issues, and generate personalized recommendations.

But ultimately, financial decisions are human decisions. That's why Range takes a collaborative approach to wealth management. We view our members as partners in the financial planning process. Your advisor team will work closely with you to understand your values, your priorities, and your aspirations. We’ll provide expert guidance and recommendations, but always with the understanding that you are the ultimate decision-maker when it comes to your financial life.

Range can help you take your money to the next level

Range is more than just another wealth management firm. It's a new model for financial planning—one that harnesses technology to deliver complete, personalized advice at scale. By integrating every aspect of your financial life into a single, easy-to-use platform, Range allows you to see the big picture of your wealth and make better decisions about your future.

But the real value of Range lies in its people. By bringing together a diverse team of experts across financial planning, investing, taxes, estate planning, and more, Range ensures that you have access to the specialized knowledge you need, when you need it. And by taking a collaborative, client-centric approach, Range puts you in the driver's seat of your financial life.

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