About Us
Nice to meet you!
We’re Sarah and Jim – two advisors shaking up the wealth management industry with our fair and transparent approach to delivering financial advice.
About Us
Nice to meet you!
We’re Sarah and Jim – two advisors shaking up the wealth management industry with our fair and transparent approach to delivering financial advice.
As seen in
No more industry BS!
We strive to avoid conflicts of interest, lack of clarity, and financial jargon.
We want to eliminate the BS with our transparent pricing, straightforward advice, and inclusive packages.
Everyone deserves a financial plan
Unlike most advisors, we’re not interested in how much money you have.
We don’t have minimums because we believe that EVERYONE deserves independent objective financial advice from a trusted expert.
Going beyond the spreadsheets
The numbers only tell part of the story. We dig deeper.
By understanding your values and perspectives, we can give you a better chance of success – with plans completely customized to you, your situation, and your goals.
What do our clients think about working with us?
These clients have not been paid or received any compensation for providing testimonials, and there are no material conflicts of interest.
CFP®
Certified Financial Planner™
Chartered Financial Analyst
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
Jim Charles, CFA, CFP®, CDFA®
Co-founder
Inspired by a transformative experience with a financial planner in my mid-20s, I embarked on a journey into the financial services industry. Without a background in finance, I laid a solid foundation by earning a master’s degree in Personal Financial Planning. This marked the beginning of a rewarding career spanning over three decades, during which I worked with both private clients as well as some of the world’s largest institutional and sovereign wealth investors. In 2021, I retired as co-Head of Dimensional Fund Advisors’ Institutional distribution channel for North America.
However, retirement brought an unexpected challenge: boredom and a lack of purpose. So I unretired. In 2023, after months of research and planning, my wife Sarah and I launched Sanctuary Financial Planning, an advice-only, fee-only financial planning firm.
Five things you won’t find in Jim’s bio:
- I’m an identical twin ...
- ... and grandad to two beautiful, twin (fraternal) granddaughters, Lennon and Callie
- If I wasn’t a financial advisor I’d probably be a horse trainer (I grew up training and showing Saddlebreds)
- My greatest source of joy has come from being dad to daughter, Kelsey
- I love jazz music (especially Pat Metheny), the sunrise on Kiawah Island, SC (our happy place), and I take inspiration from all those who have given me opportunities along the way.
CSRIC®
Chartered SRI Counselor
AIF®
Accredited Investment Fiduciary
Sarah K. Charles, CSRIC®, AIF®
Co-founder
I believe everyone deserves to be the hero of their own financial journey.
I spent over two decades at top advisory firms advising clients and advancing innovative approaches to client service before launching Sanctuary Financial Planning with my husband Jim in 2023.
Today, I am committed to shining a spotlight on advice-only planning which increases access to independent objective financial advice by removing common barriers typically found in wealth management. I understand how overwhelming the financial services landscape is, and I am focused on eliminating the intimidation and teaching others to take control of their financial lives with conviction.
I am also a tremendous champion of women’s financial empowerment and an advocate for increasing women’s confidence when it comes to investing.
I am a passionate storyteller known for connecting authentically with stakeholders, a mission-driven thought leader on developing female leaders, and a Swiftie.
Five things you won’t find in Sarah’s bio:
- Proud bonus mom to daughter Kelsey with whom I share a love of cats, Taylor Swift, sushi and shopping. And proud Bella to my granddaughters, Lennon and Callie.
- My favorite money book is Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel, and I agree with his position that “financial success is not a hard science. It’s a soft skill, where how you behave is more important than what you know.”
- I am learning to meditate. The Happier app makes practicing mindfulness unintimidating and achievable – even for me with my classic monkey mind.
- I re-learned to ride a bike at 45. Now it’s one of my favorite things to do – especially in Kiawah.
- I am a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed at 42 after a routine screening mammogram. When they say “Screening Saves Lives” they mean it.
Ollie
CFO
(Chief Feline Officer)
5 Steps to Hiring a Financial Advisor You Trust and Like
Your financial future is too important to trust to just anyone. We’ll walk through 5 steps you can take to find a financial advisor you trust to help you build financial security today and for years to come.
We’d love to hear from you!
Based in Charlotte
Serving clients nationwide
704-705-8773
Sanctuary Financial Planning FAQs
Are you fiduciaries? What does that mean?
We are fiduciaries which means we are required to do what is in the best interest of the client and disclose and manage any potential conflicts of interest. It is the highest standard of care in the industry – and not everyone is held to it.
How much money do I need to work with Sanctuary Financial Planning?
Sanctuary has no asset minimums as we do not manage assets. If you see value in our services and can afford our fee, we would be happy to work with you. The only minimum we have is 4 hours’ worth of work.
Do you earn commissions on your recommendations?
We don’t sell products and we don’t earn commissions on anything we recommend; we are fiduciaries solely focused on what is best for you.
Are there any conflicts of interest I should be aware of?
Many advisors have conflicts tied to their compensation. For brokers who sell products and receive commissions, that’s a potential conflict. For advisors who charge a percentage of assets under management (AUM) there is always the incentive to seek to manage more assets.
As an advice only firm, Sanctuary doesn’t have these conflicts found in many other wealth management firms. And as a fiduciary we are required to 1) do what’s in the clients’ best interest 2) disclose any conflicts that may arise.
What kinds of clients do you typically work with?
Because we don’t have asset minimums, Sanctuary is able to serve a broad range of clients. However, following is a list of clients where we believe we can add the most value:
- At Sanctuary we work with clients who are approaching retirement. With our dynamic income approach to planning, we provide clients with the peace of mind they need to step into the next chapter of their lives.
- We work with people in retirement, helping guide decisions about tax smart withdrawal strategies and planning opportunities including Roth conversions and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs).
- We work with clients who have been managing their own investments but want a second opinion from a professional and/or want help with planning topics that go beyond their capabilities. With our flat-fee and hourly planning model, clients maintain control of their assets but benefit from our experience, guidance and wisdom.
- We have found that we can add value for those still accumulating wealth and balancing the demands of short-term cash flow decisions (housing, children, education) with long-term planning (retirement).
- Many business owners are building their wealth in their business – not their brokerage account which means they often don’t meet the requirements to work with advisors who charge an asset-based fee. At Sanctuary, we don’t require clients to have a minimum level of assets to manage which makes us well suited to work with business owners and entrepreneurs. Plus – as entrepreneurs ourselves, we understand where you’re coming from!
- When life is in transition, money is in motion and when money is in motion, people need planning. Sanctuary can help guide clients through all of life’s transitions including marriage, divorce, inheritance, purchase of a new home, and starting a new business to name a few.
Do you work with business owners?
Yes – Sanctuary works with business owners. And as business owners ourselves, we bring empathy and a unique perspective to the process.
Do I need to live in a particular state to work with you?
We are a virtual practice and can serve clients in all 50 states. For local clients we are happy to meet in person. Sanctuary does not currently have office space, so we are able to meet at your home/office. Travel charges may apply.
Does my spouse need to be involved?
No. We do not require that both spouses engage in the planning process. However, we do need to meet with anyone who is going to sign the Client Service Agreement (CSA).
What is your investment philosophy?
Our investment philosophy can best be summed up by this quote from Nobel-prize winning economist Paul Samuelson: “Investing should be dull. It shouldn’t be exciting. Investing should be more like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. If you want excitement, take $800 and go to Las Vegas.”
At Sanctuary we believe that markets are efficient, and that clients are well served by a globally diversified portfolio comprised of low-cost ETFs and mutual funds. We use financial science and academics to guide our decisions, and we don’t believe in market timing or individual security selection.
Do you charge for Inquiry Calls or Discovery Calls?
No. Both Inquiry Calls and Discovery Calls are free. This is our opportunity to get to know each other and determine the best path forward for working together. There is zero charge until you sign your Client Service Agreement (CSA).
Will I be working with Sarah or Jim?
As a small startup, Jim and Sarah work jointly with most clients.
Are you ready to take control of your financial life?
Schedule your free Inquiry Call to get started toward finding your financial sanctuary.
- Learn how we can help
- Ask all of your questions
- Decide if we're a good fit