Frequently Asked Questions
If something isn’t answered here, feel free to bring it up in your free 20-minute call — there’s no such thing as a silly question when it comes to your money.
How it works
What makes Doshguide different from a traditional financial advisor?
Traditional advice tends to focus heavily on execution getting you into products. Because advisors in that model are often paid by commission, the incentive is to sell. At Doshguide, you pay your advisor directly through a flat monthly fee, which means their only job is to give you advice that’s genuinely right for you. We also spend a lot of time on the things traditional advice skips: getting clear on what actually matters to you, building a real strategy, and staying with you to help you stick to it over time.
What does “flat-fee” mean exactly?
What is commission-based advice and why does it matter?
Commission-based advisors are paid by the financial product providers when they place you into an investment, insurance policy, or other product. This creates a conflict of interest: the advice they give is tied to what they earn. You might get a good outcome, but you can never be entirely sure the recommendation was purely in your interest. With a flat fee, that conflict doesn’t exist.
Why is ongoing advice better than a once-off financial plan?
A once-off plan is a snapshot of one moment in time. Life changes: you get a new job, have children, go through a divorce, face a market downturn, or just change your mind about what matters to you. Ongoing advice means you have someone in your corner to help you adjust as things shift, hold you accountable when you’re tempted to veer off course, and think through big financial decisions before you make them.
Pricing
How much does it cost?
We offer a few different tiers depending on how much support you need. Pricing is available on our pricing page, and we’re happy to walk you through which tier makes sense for your situation during your free discovery call. There are no hidden fees and no surprises.
Can I cancel at any time?
Yes. Our subscription is month-to-month with no lock-in period. We’d rather earn your continued engagement through the value we deliver rather than keep you through a contract you feel stuck in.
Is there a minimum commitment?
No, you can cancel at any time. However, we recommend a three-to-six-month window to truly find your feet. This is your foundation-building phase, where we move through our three-step process:
- Clarity: We spend the first few sessions distilling what actually matters to you.
- Strategy: We translate those goals into a concrete plan of what should be done.
- Follow-through: We begin the work of implementing and sticking to the plan.
The real value of unbiased advice compounds over time, but it starts with giving your strategy a proper runway to take off.
Do the advisors earn anything from the products I invest in?
No. Your advisor is paid only through your subscription fee. They do not receive commission, rebates, or any form of payment from product providers. This is the foundation of our model, advice that is paid for by you, means advisors are accountable to you, and only you.
Is it right for me?
Do I need to have a lot of money to work with Doshguide?
Not at all. Because we charge a flat fee rather than a percentage of your assets, our model is accessible at all stages of your financial journey. In fact, getting good advice early (before you’ve accumulated a lot) is often where the biggest long-term difference is made. Good habits and a clear plan compound just like interest does.
I’ve never worked with a financial advisor before. Is that okay?
Completely fine! And honestly, quite common. Many of our clients come to us with no prior experience with formal financial advice. We don’t assume any knowledge and take time to explain things clearly. The first step is just a conversation, with no pressure and no expectation that you know what you’re doing yet.
I’ve had a bad experience with a financial advisor before. How is this different?
We hear this a lot, and we understand the scepticism. Most bad experiences in financial advice come down to one thing: misaligned incentives. When an advisor is paid to sell, their interests and yours aren’t the same. Our model removes that entirely. Your advisor is paid by you, reports to you, and has no financial reason to recommend anything other than what’s genuinely right for your situation.
What kind of people do you typically work with?
We work with a wide range of people, from young professionals just starting to think seriously about money, to families navigating bigger financial decisions, to people approaching retirement who want to make sure they’re on track. The common thread is wanting advice that’s honest, clear, and genuinely focused on their life.
What if I just want a once-off plan and not ongoing advice?
We’re built around an ongoing relationship model because we genuinely believe that’s where the most value lies. That said, we’re happy to chat about your situation during a free call and help you figure out whether an ongoing engagement or something more focused makes more sense for where you are right now.
Our advisors
Who are the advisors and what are their qualifications?
All Doshguide advisors are CFP qualified financial planners and regulated by the FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority) in South Africa. Beyond formal qualifications, we select for advisors who genuinely care about doing right by their clients. They are people who want to build real relationships, not just manage product portfolios.
How do you match me with an advisor?
After your initial call with a Doshguide consultant, we match you with an advisor based on your situation, goals, and personality. You then get a free 45-minute meeting with that advisor before committing to anything, so you can make sure the fit feels right before starting.
What if I don’t click with my advisor?
The relationship between you and your advisor matters enormously. If after your introductory meeting (or at any point) you feel the fit isn’t right, just let us know. We’ll work to find you someone better suited. Getting this right is important to us.
Are meetings in person or online?
Most meetings take place online via video call, which makes it easy to fit sessions into your schedule without travel. Depending on your advisor’s location and your preference, in-person meetings may also be possible.
The process
What happens in the first few months?
The first three months are focused on clarity – understanding what really matters to you, what your goals are, and what trade-offs you’re willing to make. You’ll typically meet with your advisor every two weeks during this phase. It’s the most intensive period, and for good reason: everything that follows is built on this foundation.
How long before I get an actual financial plan?
Your written strategy typically takes shape between months three and six, once we’ve done the clarity work properly. We know it can feel slow compared to a traditional advisor who might hand you a plan in week one, but a plan built on genuine understanding of your goals is far more useful than a fast one built on assumptions.
How often will I meet with my advisor after the initial phase?
Once you’re into the ongoing accountability phase, you’ll typically meet around four times a year, roughly quarterly. Your advisor is also available between scheduled meetings if something comes up that you want to talk through. The exact frequency depends on your plan tier.
Will my advisor help me with actual product selection, like choosing an investment or insurance?
Yes. Execution is part of what we do, we just make sure it’s guided by a clear strategy rather than the other way around. When the time comes to implement, your advisor will recommend products based purely on what fits your plan, with no commission involved.
Practical stuff
Is Doshguide a registered Financial Service Provider (FSP)?
No. Doshguide is not an FSP. We are a marketplace platform that connects you with licensed Financial Advisors. We do not provide financial advice, financial products, or intermediary services ourselves. Any advice you receive is provided directly by the Advisor you choose to work with. Our role is to facilitate the connection, not to deliver financial advice.
Our Advisors are CFP qualified, and are all licensed and authorised financial service providers registered with the FSCA.
How do I get started?
Book a free 20-minute call with a Doshguide consultant. It’s informal, and is a chance to tell us a bit about where you’re at and what’s on your mind, and for us to explain how we work and whether we’re a good fit. No preparation needed, no commitment required.
What do I need to prepare before my first call?
Nothing. Seriously. Come as you are. The first call is a conversation, not an assessment. If you have a rough sense of what’s been on your mind financially, a goal, a worry, a decision you’re facing, that’s plenty. We’ll take it from there. You are welcome to complete the Doshguide Financial Health Score at any point, but it’s not a necessary step in onboarding with an advisor, just a free tool we have available!
What if my situation is complicated - divorce, inheritance, business ownership?
Complicated situations are often where good advice matters most. We work with clients navigating all kinds of complexity – business owners, people going through major life transitions, those dealing with inheritances or estate planning. Bring it all to the table; that’s exactly what we’re here for.
Do you work with clients outside South Africa?
Our advisors are licensed in South Africa, so we primarily serve South African residents. If you’re based abroad but your financial affairs are primarily in South Africa, for example, you’re an expat with local assets or retirement funds, get in touch and we can discuss whether we’re able to help.