What does a 1% fee actually cost?

Plenty of advisors earn their fee several times over in tax planning, estate work, and talking someone off a ledge in a crash. That last one alone can be worth more than the fee. Flat-fee and hourly advisors exist too, and their bill does not grow with your balance.

Know the number before you decide. Most people have never seen the percentage converted into dollars.

An expense ratio works the same way with a smaller number in front. Drop the fee slider to 0.50% to see what an average actively managed fund costs against an index fund near 0.03%. The gap is usually bigger than people expect, and the fee is the part you get to choose.

The full calculator reads the funds you hold and works out your blended expense ratio.