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Hey Coach,
Most coaches obsess over improving their team’s shooting percentage by 2-3%.
But many don’t realize they could be losing 1-2% every year in hidden investment fees - and never see it.
That 1-2% doesn’t sound like much.
Over 30 years?
It can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The 1% Problem
If you’re investing for retirement, you’re likely using:
A 403(b)
A 457
An IRA
A brokerage account
Or working with a financial advisor
Here’s the problem:
Many coaches don’t know what they’re paying.
And Wall Street is really good at hiding costs in small print.
Where Fees Hide
Here are the most common places investment fees show up:
1. Expense Ratios (Inside Mutual Funds & ETFs)
Every fund charges an annual fee.
You won’t get a bill.
It’s quietly deducted from performance.
Example:
Low-cost index fund: 0.03% - 0.10%
Typical actively managed mutual fund: 0.75% - 1.25%
Some 403(b) funds: 1.5%+
That’s a massive difference over 20-30 years.
2. Advisor Fees
Many advisors charge:
1% of assets annually (AUM model)
If you have:
$500,000 invested → you may be paying $5,000/year
$1,000,000 invested → $10,000/year
Some advisors earn that fee.
Some don’t.
The key question:
Are you getting value that exceeds the cost?
3. 403(b) Plan Fees (Big One for Coaches)
School district retirement plans often include:
Administrative fees
Insurance wrappers
High-expense annuity products
Many coaches assume:
“If it’s offered through the district, it must be low cost.”
That’s often not true.
When it all clicks.
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Why Fees Matter So Much
Let’s keep it simple.
If you earn:
7% annual return
But lose:1.5% in fees
Your net return becomes 5.5%.
Over 30 years, that gap can mean:
Working 2-4 extra years
Or retiring earlier with flexibility
Fees compound - just like returns do.
Except they compound against you.
Coaching Parallel
Imagine spotting your opponent 10 points every game.
That’s what high fees do to your portfolio.
You might still win…
But why make it harder?
How to Audit Your Fees (Simple Playbook)
Here’s your 30-minute game plan:
Step 1: Check Expense Ratios
Log into your account.
Click on each fund.
Look for “Expense Ratio.”
If it’s:
Over 0.75% → review it.
Over 1% → dig deeper.
Step 2: Ask Your Advisor Directly
“Exactly how are you compensated?”
“Is your fee all-in?”
“Are there underlying fund fees on top of your 1%?”
If the answer feels vague, that’s a red flag.
Step 3: Compare Alternatives
Low-cost providers to research:
Vanguard
Fidelity Investments
Charles Schwab
Many index funds now cost 0.03%-0.05% annually.
That’s nearly free compared to legacy mutual funds.
When Paying More Can Make Sense
Fees aren’t automatically bad.
You might pay more for:
Comprehensive tax planning
Roth conversion strategy
Retirement income planning
Behavioral coaching during market downturns
But you should know:
What you’re paying
What you’re getting
Whether it’s worth it
Intentional > Automatic.
The Wealth4Coaches Rule
You can’t control:
The market
Inflation
Interest rates
But you can control:
Savings rate
Asset allocation
Investment costs
Controlling costs is one of the few guaranteed wins in investing.
Final Whistle
Small percentages matter.
1% sounds tiny.
Over a career?
It’s a starting lineup’s worth of money.
Know your fees.
Lower what you can.
Pay intentionally.
Because smart money management is just another form of discipline.
Subscribe here → Wealth4Coaches Newsletter
Coach Mike Klinzing
Founder, Wealth4Coaches
"Coach smarter. Save better. Live freer."
