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The Cost of a 1% Annual Fee Over Time

May 28, 20256 min read

The Power of No-Fee Investing: How It Boosts Your Wealth Over Time

Introduction: The Hidden Cost of Fees in Wealth Building
When it comes to growing your wealth, every dollar counts. Yet, many investors overlook one of the biggest obstacles to long-term financial success: fees. From management fees to transaction costs, these seemingly small charges can erode your returns over time, costing you thousands—or even millions—over decades. At Root Assets, our no-fee wealth management model is designed to maximize your financial potential by eliminating these costs. In this blog, we’ll explore why no-fee investing is a game-changer, how fees impact your wealth, and why choosing a no-fee approach like Root Assets’ can set you on the path to financial freedom.

Section 1: Understanding the Impact of Fees on Your Investments
Investment fees may seem insignificant at first glance—1% here, 0.5% there—but their cumulative effect over time is staggering. To illustrate, let’s consider a simple example:

Imagine you invest $100,000 at an average annual return of 7% over 30 years. Here’s what happens with and without a 1% annual management fee:

  • Without fees: Your investment grows to approximately $761,200.

  • With a 1% fee: Your investment only reaches about $574,300.

  • Cost of the fee: The difference is a whopping $186,900 lost over 30 years.

This phenomenon, often called the “tyranny of compounding costs,” shows how fees chip away at your returns, reducing the power of compounding interest. Common fees include:

  • Management Fees: Charged by advisors or mutual funds, typically 0.5%–2% annually.

  • Expense Ratios: Embedded costs in mutual funds or ETFs, often 0.2%–1.5%.

  • Transaction Fees: Costs for buying or selling investments, which can add up with frequent trading.

To visualize this impact, consider the chart below, which shows how a 1% fee erodes your wealth over time.


Here’s a table breaking down the numbers at key intervals:

Comparison chart of how a 1% fee impacts your money's growth over time

This chart highlights the hidden cost of a money management fee. A 1% annual fee reduces your final investment by nearly 25%—from $761,200 to $574,300—over 30 years. The shaded area in the graph emphasizes how the cost compounds, while the table shows concrete figures: after just 10 years, the fee costs you $17,600, and by year 30, it’s a staggering $186,900.

Root Assets eliminates these fees, ensuring every dollar you invest works toward your financial goals, not someone else’s bottom line.

Key Takeaway: Even small fees can drastically reduce your wealth over time, making no-fee investing a critical strategy for maximizing returns.

Section 2: Why No-Fee Investing is a Competitive Advantage
Traditional wealth management often relies on fee-based models, where advisors or firms profit regardless of your portfolio’s performance. This can create misaligned incentives, as some advisors may prioritize high-fee products over what’s best for you. No-fee investing, like Root Assets’ approach, flips this model on its head:

  • Aligns Interests: Without fees, Root Assets focuses solely on growing your wealth, creating a true partnership. Our success is tied to your financial success, not to charging you for every move.

  • Maximizes Compounding: By eliminating fees, your investments compound at their full potential, as shown in the chart above. Over decades, this can lead to significantly higher returns.

  • Encourages Long-Term Thinking: No-fee structures remove the temptation to over-trade or chase trendy investments to justify costs, fostering disciplined, long-term strategies.

For example, a young investor starting with $10,000 at age 25 could see their portfolio grow to over $149,000 by age 65 (at 7% annual return, no fees). With a 1% fee, that drops to $112,000—a 25% reduction. No-fee investing ensures you keep more of your hard-earned wealth.

Key Takeaway: No-fee investing aligns your advisor’s goals with yours, letting your money grow unhindered by unnecessary costs.

Section 3: How Root Assets’ No-Fee Model Works
At Root Assets, our no-fee wealth management model is built on transparency, security, and personalization. Here’s how we make it work:

  • Technology-Driven Efficiency: We leverage advanced technology to streamline operations, reducing overhead costs that traditional firms pass on to clients. This allows us to offer no-fee services without compromising quality.

  • Discreet, Client-First Service: Our focus is on crafting personalized success plans tailored to your goals—whether it’s retirement, legacy building, or funding a dream project—without the burden of fees.

  • Diverse Investment Options: Without fees dictating our choices, we can recommend a wide range of investment vehicles, from low-cost index funds to alternative assets, ensuring your portfolio is optimized for growth.

By removing fees, we empower clients to invest with confidence, knowing their wealth is protected from the kind of losses shown in the chart above and aligned with their unique financial vision.

Key Takeaway: Root Assets’ no-fee model uses technology and a client-centric approach to deliver high-quality wealth management without the financial drag of fees.

Section 4: Practical Steps to Embrace No-Fee Investing
Ready to harness the power of no-fee investing? Here are actionable steps to get started:

  1. Audit Your Current Investments: Review your portfolio to identify all fees—management, expense ratios, and transaction costs. Tools like Morningstar or your brokerage’s fee disclosure can help.

  2. Prioritize Low-Cost Options: If you’re not ready for a full no-fee advisor like Root Assets, opt for low-cost index funds or ETFs with expense ratios below 0.2%.

  3. Partner with a No-Fee Advisor: Work with firms like Root Assets that prioritize your wealth over their profits. Ask potential advisors about their fee structure and how they align with your goals.

  4. Focus on the Long Term: Build a diversified portfolio and avoid frequent trading, which can rack up costs even in low-fee environments.

  5. Monitor and Reassess: Regularly review your investment strategy to ensure it remains cost-efficient and aligned with your financial objectives.

By taking these steps, you can minimize fees and maximize your wealth-building potential, just as Root Assets does for its clients.

Key Takeaway: Small changes, like choosing no-fee or low-fee options, can lead to significant wealth gains over time, as the chart clearly demonstrates.

Conclusion: Unlock Your Financial Potential with No-Fee Investing
Fees are one of the biggest barriers to achieving financial freedom, silently draining your wealth year after year, as shown in our chart. By choosing no-fee investing with Root Assets, you can keep more of your money working for you, harnessing the full power of compounding to build a secure financial future. Our no-fee, discreet, and personalized approach ensures your wealth grows without unnecessary costs, giving you the freedom to pursue your dreams—whether that’s early retirement, generational wealth, or a life of financial independence.

Ready to take control of your financial journey? Contact Root Assets today at 888-976-7668 to start growing your wealth without fees holding you back.

Share this blog with anyone looking to maximize their investments, and let us know in the comments how you’re reducing fees in your financial plan!


no-fee investingwealth managementinvestment feescompounding interestfinancial freedomretirement planningpersonalized wealth planssecure investingfee-free wealth management
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Jeff Schultz

Jeffrey brings over 25 years of extensive experience in the financial and insurance sectors, underpinned by a robust portfolio of credentials. He is a licensed professional, holding multiple insurance and financial securities licenses across various states, ensuring compliance and expertise in diverse regulatory environments. As a certified Infinite Banking Concepts Practitioner and a specialist in wealth transfer, Jeffrey offers sophisticated strategies tailored to individual client needs. His entrepreneurial acumen is demonstrated through his ownership and successful management of several businesses and insurance agencies. Further enhancing his credentials, Jeffrey has served as a Wealth Transfer Specialist within the Finance and Insurance Division at Nova Home Loans, one of the preeminent mortgage brokers in the United States. This role honed his skills in navigating complex financial landscapes and delivering bespoke solutions. Jeffrey excels in all facets of financial planning, with a particular emphasis on capital preservation. He adeptly assists clients in mitigating risks associated with excessive taxation, market fluctuations, and potential litigation, safeguarding their assets with strategic foresight and meticulous care. His comprehensive approach and seasoned insight make him a trusted advisor for clients seeking to secure and enhance their financial future.

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