Advice-Only Financial Planner & Tax Planning Financial Advisor in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Custom Fit Financial LLC provides fee-only, advice-only fiduciary financial planning. We are based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and work with clients in Iowa City, across Iowa, and virtually nationwide.
Every client is different. We build a plan around your specific goals and situation. We offer clear, objective advice to empower you to make informed decisions with your money.
Our Services
We keep financial planning simple. We focus on clarity, education, and steady progress. We help you tackle what matters most today while planning for tomorrow.
Retirement Income Planning
Tax Planning Strategies
Investment Analysis & Portfolio Review
Budget & Cash Flow Management
Estate Planning Guidance
College Savings Planning
Insurance & Risk Management Reviews
Your Future, Custom Fitted: Expert Financial Planning
Navigating your path to retirement shouldn’t be a guessing game.
At Custom Fit Financial, we provide advice-only financial guidance designed specifically for our clients who want professional expertise without the percentage-based fees often associated with traditional investment management. As a CFP® professional, I operate under a fiduciary standard that requires me to put my clients’ interests ahead of my own.
Most people are used to advisors who earn a living by selling products or taking a percentage of your nest egg. We’ve chosen a different path. We are advice-only advisors, which means our focus is strictly on providing advice—not managing your accounts for an asset-based fee.
As registered investment advisors (RIAs), we operate under a strict fiduciary duty. This fiduciary standard requires us to act in your best interest. Because fee-only planners are compensated directly by you, there are no third-party commissions or conflicting incentives.
When you choose advice-only services, you gain a partner who specializes in the “blueprints” of your financial life. We are fee-only advisors who believe that professional financial planners should be accessible and affordable. Our advice-only fee structure is straightforward. You pay directly for planning expertise, with no hidden costs tied to your account balance or product purchases.
We Are Your Go-To Financial Advisors in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
You’ve spent decades building your wealth in Eastern Iowa. We are dedicated to building a plan designed to help you preserve it. With no commissions and no percentage-based fees, you receive objective, fiduciary advice tailored to your goals.
What is an Advice-Only Financial Planner?
Most people are used to financial advisors who manage their investments and take a percentage of your account balance every year. An advice-only advisor is different. At Custom Fit Financial, we provide the professional “blueprints” for your financial life, but we don’t take custody of your money.
You receive fiduciary guidance from a CFP® professional on everything from retirement and taxes to estate planning, while maintaining full control over your own accounts. Think of us as your financial personal trainer: we provide the expert plan and coach you through the movements, but you’re the one in the driver’s seat.
How Advice-Only Advisors' Fees Work
Transparency is the heartbeat of our business. Because we are Fee-Only and Advice-Only, our compensation structure is simple:
Flat Fees or Hourly Rates
You pay directly for the time and expertise we provide.
No Commissions
We never accept payments from insurance companies or mutual fund providers.
No AUM Fees
We do not charge a percentage of your assets. Whether you have $10,000 or $5 million, our goal is to provide tailored guidance, not to grow our fees based on your portfolio size.
Why This is the Optimal Setup for You
The advice-only model removes the friction and conflicts of interest found in traditional finance.
| Feature | Traditional Advisor (AUM/Commission) | Custom Fit (Advice-Only) |
|---|---|---|
| Objectivity | Advice may be biased toward products that pay a commission. | 100% Conflict Minimized. We only work for you, not a bank or insurance company. |
| Cost Clarity | Fees are typically deducted from investment accounts; total costs may include underlying product expenses. | Fully Transparent. You know exactly what you’re paying upfront. |
| Control | The advisor often controls the accounts and trades. | Client-Led Execution. You retain full authority over all account movements and trades. |
| Focus | Often focused primarily on your investment portfolio. | Holistic. We look at your whole life: taxes, debt, cash flow, and goals. |
Retiring in Cedar Rapids: The "City of Five Seasons"
Is Cedar Rapids a great place to retire?
In 2026, the answer is a resounding YES! Iowa was recently named the #1 state in the nation to retire by Choice Mutual and consistently tops the Bankrate “Best States” rankings.
The 2026 Iowa Tax Advantage
Thanks to historic tax reforms, Iowa has become a very tax-friendly state* for retirees:
- 0% State Tax on Retirement Income: If you are 55 or older, your 401(k) distributions, IRAs, and pensions are now completely exempt from Iowa state income tax.
- No Social Security Tax: Iowa does not tax your Social Security benefits, allowing you to keep more of your hard-earned checks.
- 3.8% Flat Tax: For all other income, Iowa has transitioned to a low 3.8% flat tax rate, making your long-term planning more predictable than ever.
* Custom Fit Financial LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor and is not a law firm or a CPA firm. While tax planning is a core component of our services, tax laws are subject to change. Please consult with a qualified tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation before making any final decisions.
Strategic Planning for Cedar Rapids Residents
While the tax news is great, retiring in Linn County comes with specific hurdles that we help you clear:
- The “Snowbird” Strategy: Many of our clients want to enjoy Iowa summers but head south for the winter. We help you model the costs of travel or a second hometo understand their impact on your long-term portfolio sustainability.
- Property Tax Management: While income taxes are down, property taxes remain a factor. We help you explore Homestead Credits and 65+ Exemptions that may provide significant annual savings.
Top-Tier Healthcare: Cedar Rapids is home to UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s (ranked the #1 hospital in Iowa for 2026 by Newsweek) and Mercy Medical Center (ranked #4). We help you integrate local healthcare and long-term care costs into a cohesive plan.
We Are Your Go-To Financial Advisors in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
You’ve spent decades building your wealth in Eastern Iowa. We are dedicated to building a plan designed to help you preserve it. With no commissions and no percentage-based fees, you receive objective, fiduciary advice tailored to your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Custom Fit Financial LLC is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and serves clients locally in Iowa City and across the state. We also work with individuals and families nationwide through secure virtual meetings. Whether we meet in person or online, our process is the same: we take time to understand your goals, values, and full financial picture before offering clear, actionable advice. Yes. Custom Fit Financial LLC is a fee-only, advice-only fiduciary firm. This means we are legally and ethically required to act in your best interest at all times. We do not receive commissions or incentives from product sales. Our only compensation comes directly from you, which helps us provide objective, client-first guidance. Advice-only financial planning means you pay for professional guidance, not for product sales or investment management. We provide personalized advice to help you make confident financial decisions, while you maintain full control over your accounts and where you choose to implement the plan. This model is one of the most transparent and client-centered ways to receive financial advice. Chad Gammon is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, a Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®), and an Enrolled Agent authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before the IRS. These credentials represent rigorous education, ethics, and experience standards. He is also a member of NAPFA, XY Planning Network, and the Advice-Only Network—organizations that uphold fiduciary, fee-only principles. For clients, this means your planner is held to the highest professional standards and committed to unbiased, transparent advice. We provide comprehensive financial planning that includes: Our goal is to help you bring clarity and confidence to every area of your financial life. Our services are designed for individuals and families who value clear, unbiased advice. We’re a good fit for people who want a collaborative relationship, are open to learning, and appreciate a plan tailored to their goals and values. Our financial planning process begins with a conversation to understand your goals, values, and financial priorities. We review your complete financial picture, including income, expenses, investments, insurance, and taxes, to identify opportunities and challenges. From there, we build your plan in eMoney, an interactive platform that allows us to collaborate in real time. This is a living plan, not a one-time report. You can see how changes in your goals, spending, or savings affect your long-term outlook. Together, we adjust and refine your plan as life evolves so your financial strategy stays relevant and actionable. Hourly financial planning is ideal if you want targeted guidance on a specific issue, such as retirement income, tax strategy, or cash flow planning. You pay only for the time and expertise you need, and you receive a written summary or action plan after each session. There are no long-term contracts, product sales, or hidden fees — just clear, objective advice to help you make confident decisions. After your initial plan is complete, you can choose how you’d like to continue. Some clients schedule annual or semi-annual check-ins, while others return as new questions arise. We’ll help you update your plan as your life, goals, and financial situation evolve. Our goal is to remain a trusted resource you can turn to whenever you need expert, unbiased advice.
We may not be the right fit for those seeking ongoing investment management or commission-based product sales, as we focus solely on advice-only financial planning.
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