Fee-Only Fiduciary · Vermont & New Hampshire

Financial Planning in Northern New England

Q: How do I verify your credentials and background?

You can verify us through independent, public sources. Check the background of your financial professional on FINRA’s BrokerCheck, and review our Form ADV. Milne Financial Planning has operated as an independent Vermont Registered Investment Advisor since 1996, led by Jamie Milne, CFP®.

Independent, fee-only financial planning for people across Vermont and New Hampshire. You work directly with a CFP® professional who serves as a fiduciary on every decision. No commissions, no product sales, just advice paid for by you.

Book a Free Consultation See Services & Fees or call 802-249-7107

Fiduciary

Legally bound to your best interest

Fee-Only

100% paid by clients, no commissions

CFP®-Led

Certified Financial Planner professional

Since 1996

Independent VT Registered Investment Advisor

A local financial planner for Vermont and New Hampshire

Good financial planning should not feel like a sales pitch. It should feel like clear, steady guidance that fits your life in Northern New England.

Milne Financial Planning is an independent, fee-only firm headquartered in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. From there we serve households across the Northern New England area, throughout Vermont and New Hampshire, from the Greater Burlington area and Chittenden County to the Northeast Kingdom and the communities along the Connecticut River. We act as a fiduciary for every client, which means our only job is to give advice that is right for you. There are no commissions and no products to push.

You work directly with a CFP® professional who ties the moving parts of your finances into one usable plan: cash flow and savings, investments and risk, retirement income, taxes across two states, and coordination with your estate documents. We meet you where you are, hourly or ongoing, in person or virtually.

If you have been searching for a fee-only fiduciary financial advisor near you, that local context is exactly what we bring. Start with a conversation and we will map out what a plan could look like for you.

Why the right planning partner matters

A plan built around your needs and goals by an advisor bound to your best interest can change your outcome.

Fiduciary advice removes the guesswork

A fiduciary is legally and ethically required to put your interests first, with a duty of care and loyalty. Because we are fee-only, you never have to wonder whether a commission is shaping the recommendation. The advice is simply the advice.
Small decisions compound over decades

Contribution choices, tax timing, Social Security claiming, and withdrawal order each move the needle. A coordinated plan keeps those decisions pulling in the same direction rather than working against each other.
Local context is real, not a slogan

Living in Vermont while working in New Hampshire, two-state tax wrinkles, seasonal income, and property in the Upper Valley all change the math. A planner who knows the region translates national best practices into moves that fit here.

Our Services

Comprehensive, fiduciary guidance for households across Vermont and New Hampshire. Take a service one-time or as an ongoing partnership, whatever fits where you are.

One-time financial plan review

Already have a plan or a portfolio and just want a second set of expert eyes? A one-time fiduciary review gives you clear, unbiased feedback and a prioritized list of next steps, no ongoing commitment.

Comprehensive financial planning

One usable plan that connects cash flow, savings, investments, and long-term goals. We clarify what matters, map your current picture, and prioritize the moves that actually move you forward.

Retirement planning

The big question is usually “do we have enough?” We model Social Security timing, build sustainable withdrawal strategies, and stress-test the plan so you can retire with confidence.

Investment management

Portfolio design and risk management matched to your timeline and comfort level. We can build the strategy for you to run yourself, or manage it on an ongoing basis so you can focus on life.

Tax-aware planning

Tax-smart moves coordinated with your CPA, from contribution choices to timing income across the Vermont and New Hampshire line. Small adjustments that keep more of what you earn working for you.

Roth conversions

We evaluate when a Roth conversion makes sense inside your broader plan, weighing today’s tax cost against future flexibility, then loop in your tax professional before anything moves.

Why people choose to work with us

We have been doing this in Northern New England since 1996. That experience, paired with a true fiduciary standard, is what clients tell us gives them confidence.

Jamie Milne, CFP®

Founder, Milne Financial Planning

Fiduciary Fee-Only Independent since 1996

Jamie founded the firm in 1996 to build something fully independent: a place where advice is free from sales quotas and product commissions. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, he takes the fiduciary oath seriously, and 100% of the firm’s compensation is paid by its clients.

Read Jamie’s full bio

A genuine fiduciary, every time
Fee-only and fiduciary to every client. Advice first, product sales never, with a duty of care and loyalty that holds on every recommendation.
You work directly with a CFP®
No hand-offs to a call center. You get the attention and continuity of a small, independent firm that knows your situation.
Nearly three decades of experience
Independent since 1996, we have guided clients through market cycles, tax-law changes, and every stage of retirement planning.
Straight talk, on your terms
Hourly or ongoing, virtual or in person. We keep the plan clear and usable so you can make confident tradeoffs without overthinking every headline.

Ready to review your financial plan?

Start with a free, no-pressure conversation. We will listen, map your current picture, and show you what a plan could look like.

Book a Free Consultation or Call Us 802-249-7107

Frequently asked questions

Clear answers to the questions people ask most when choosing a financial planner in Vermont and New Hampshire.

Is Milne Financial Planning a fee-only fiduciary?

Yes. Milne Financial Planning is a fee-only firm and acts as a fiduciary for 100% of client relationships. Fee-only means every dollar of our compensation is paid by clients, with no commissions and no product sales. As a fiduciary, we are held to a duty of care and loyalty to act in your best interest at all times.

What areas do you serve in Vermont and New Hampshire?

We serve clients throughout Vermont and New Hampshire, both virtually and in person. That includes the Greater Burlington area and Chittenden County, St. Johnsbury and the Northeast Kingdom, and communities along the Connecticut River and the Upper Valley. We meet whichever way is easiest for you.

How much does a financial planner cost here, and what is the minimum?

We charge on a fee-only basis, and you can choose one-time planning or ongoing management. One-time services are flat-fee: a Basic Review is $2,500, a Retirement and Investment Review is $5,000, and a Full Financial Review is $7,500. Additional work is available hourly at $425 per hour. For ongoing management, fees depend on the scope you choose. The clearest way to get an exact number for your situation is a free initial conversation, and you can review our published one-time and ongoing service and fee pages before you reach out.

What is the difference between fee-only and fee-based?

Fee-only means the advisor is paid only by clients. Fee-based can include client fees plus commissions from selling products. If you want advice free of product incentives, look for a planner who is both fee-only and a fiduciary. Milne Financial Planning is both.

Can you help with Social Security timing and Roth conversions?

Yes. We model Social Security claiming ages, coordinate withdrawal strategies, and evaluate when a Roth conversion fits your broader plan. For tax filing specifics, we coordinate with your tax professional so the strategy and the return line up.

Do I have to commit to ongoing management, or can I get a one-time plan?

You can do either. We offer one-time planning and reviews as well as ongoing management. One-time service suits people who want expert direction and then prefer to execute themselves. Ongoing service suits people who want us to implement and manage the plan over time. You choose what fits.

How do I verify your credentials and background?

You can verify us through independent, public sources. Check the background of your financial professional on FINRA’s BrokerCheck, and review our Form ADV. Milne Financial Planning has operated as an independent Vermont Registered Investment Advisor since 1996, led by Jamie Milne, CFP®.