Common Cents Planning logo

Common Cents Planning

Updated today

Client AUM

$497,364,264

Clients

452

Advisors

6

across 2 offices

About

Common Cents Planning advises individual and high‑net‑worth clients on investment management and comprehensive financial planning, including retirement plan/IRA advice and written financial plans. The firm manages roughly $542 million for about 450 clients and provides both discretionary and non‑discretionary portfolio supervision with periodic client reporting.

The firm’s investment process emphasizes client‑specific investment policy statements and fundamental analysis to construct tailored portfolios, with routine reviews and custodial reporting through major service providers. Common Cents Planning discloses that certain recommendations — for example IRA rollovers and use of third‑party managers or product sponsors — can create conflicts of interest tied to its service relationships and compensation arrangements.

What distinguishes the firm from many peers is its operational alignment with Commonwealth (and the related transition following Commonwealth’s acquisition by LPL), which provides platform, billing, and practice‑support services and has resulted in enhanced payouts, fee/administrative discounts, and advisor transition loans tied to continued affiliation. The firm also uses issuer‑provided valuations for certain alternative investments when calculating billable assets, and some advisors are licensed to sell insurance products that can be used to implement planning recommendations.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management Pension consulting

Expertise

General retirement planning Income planning

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Fee options

Fixed

0.65% for household assets between $5 million and $7 million; 0.55% for $7 million to $10 million; 0.45% for over $10 million; fees negotiable over $25 million

Percentage

$0 - $500,000: 1.00% annually $500,000 - $1,000,000: 0.85% annually $1,000,001+: 0.75% annually

Project-based

$250 per hour for financial planning services

Other

Account minimum: $500,000

Main office

See office

239 Baltimore Pike

Glen Mills PA 19342

Advisors at this office

5

Most active in

Colorado · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Louisiana · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Pennsylvania · South Carolina · Texas · Virginia

Also doing business as

Common Cents Planning · Common Cents Planning Inc · Planning Directions, Inc.

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Business activities & affiliations

Advisors at this firm

user avatar

Victoria P

CFP®, Series 66

Glen Mills, PA

Common Cents Planning

Victoria Provost is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with five years of industry experience. She has worked at Common Cents Planning since 2017 in various roles and has prior experience with Commonwealth Financial Network. Victoria spends part of her professional time engaged in fixed insurance sales. Common Cents Planning serves individual and high-net-worth clients by providing investment management and comprehensive financial planning, managing approximately $542 million in assets for around 450 clients. The firm emphasizes client-specific investment policy statements and fundamental analysis to create tailored portfolios and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio supervision.

General retirement planning Income planning
user avatar

Matthew E

CFP®, Series 63

Glen Mills, PA

Common Cents Planning

Matthew Ellis is a CFP® with 18 years of experience in financial advising. He is currently a co-owner and president at Common Cents Planning, where he has worked since 2015, including through its affiliation with Planning Directions, Inc. Ellis previously worked at Commonwealth Financial Network for four years. Common Cents Planning serves individual and high-net-worth clients, providing investment management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm manages approximately $542 million across 450 clients and emphasizes client-specific investment policy statements and fundamental analysis to build tailored portfolios.

General retirement planning Income planning
user avatar

Kevin L

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Glen Mills, PA

Common Cents Planning

Kevin Lake is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving at Common Cents Planning. His work history includes roles at Commonwealth Financial Network, MML Investors Services, MassMutual Life Insurance, New York Life Securities, Cumby, Spencer & Associates Financial Group, and Lincoln Financial Group. Common Cents Planning advises individual and high-net-worth clients on investment management and comprehensive financial planning, managing approximately $542 million for around 450 clients. The firm emphasizes client-specific investment policy statements and fundamental analysis to create tailored portfolios, supported by routine reviews and custodial reporting.

General retirement planning Income planning
user avatar

Frederick D

ChFC®, Series 63, Series 65

Naples, FL

Common Cents Planning

Frederick Dunbar is a financial advisor with Common Cents Planning in Naples, FL, holding a ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and 65 licenses. He has 44 years of industry experience, including long tenures at Planning Directions, Inc. and Commonwealth Financial Network. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an executor of an estate. Common Cents Planning advises individual and high-net-worth clients on investment management and comprehensive financial planning, managing approximately $542 million for around 450 clients. The firm emphasizes client-specific investment policy statements and fundamental analysis to create tailored portfolios, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio supervision.

General retirement planning Income planning
user avatar

William M

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Glen Mills, PA

Common Cents Planning

William Muller is a CFP® professional with over 31 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has been working with Commonwealth Financial Network and Planning Directions, Inc. dba Common Cents Planning since 2005. Muller is also a co-owner and CEO of Common Cents Planning, Inc. Common Cents Planning serves individual and high-net-worth clients by providing investment management and comprehensive financial planning services, including retirement plan and IRA advice. The firm manages approximately $542 million across 450 clients, emphasizing customized investment policy statements and fundamental analysis to create tailored portfolios.

General retirement planning Income planning
user avatar

Mildred Louise S

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Glen Mills, PA

Common Cents Planning

Mildred Louise Santos is a CFP® with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving at Common Cents Planning. Her prior roles include positions at The Vanguard Group, Inc. and PNC Investments LLC. Common Cents Planning advises individual and high-net-worth clients on investment management and comprehensive financial planning, managing approximately $542 million for around 450 clients. The firm emphasizes client-specific investment policy statements and fundamental analysis to construct tailored portfolios, providing both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio supervision.

General retirement planning Income planning
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