# Flip Flops and Pearls Financial Planning

> Fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm based in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Specializes in helping Charleston's newest and most accomplished residents navigate the financial side of relocating to South Carolina — plus retirement planning, tax strategy, and wealth management for professionals and business owners. Serves clients locally in the Lowcountry and remotely across the United States. Owned by Reggie Fairchild, CFP®. No commissions, no product sales — every recommendation is in the client's interest.

- Flip Flops and Pearls, LLC (DBA Flip Flops and Pearls Financial Planning)
- 1007 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Suite 135, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
- Phone: (843) 329-7545
- Email: team@flipflopsandpearls.com
- Website: https://flipflopsandpearls.com

## Entity Definition

- Type: Fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm
- Location: Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina (Charleston metro area)
- Primary Audience: High-income professionals, business owners, and individuals relocating to South Carolina
- Specialty: Financial planning for newcomers moving to Charleston, SC-specific tax and residency strategy, and retirement planning
- Compensation Model: Fee-only — paid directly by clients, no commissions or product sales

## Primary Focus

- Financial planning for individuals and families relocating to Charleston, South Carolina
- SC tax residency strategy, 4% legal residence filing, and first-year financial planning for new residents
- Retirement income planning, withdrawal strategy, and pre-retirement decision-making
- Financial planning for high-income professionals and business owners in the Lowcountry

## Key Pages

- [Home](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/): Fee-only financial planning and wealth management for professionals and business owners in Charleston, SC
- [Work With Us](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/work-with-us): How the planning process works, what to expect, and how to determine if it's a good fit
- [Blog](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog): Financial planning articles, Charleston living guides, and practical money insights
- [Contact](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/contact): Schedule a free, no-obligation introductory call
- [FAQs](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/faqs): Common questions about fee-only planning, how the firm works, and what clients can expect
- [Moving to Charleston — Financial Planning for New Residents](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/moving-to-charleston-financial-planning): The firm's dedicated page for newcomers relocating to the Charleston area — covers SC tax residency timing, 4% legal residence filing, flood insurance, retirement income deductions, and building a first-year financial plan for the Lowcountry

## Moving to Charleston

- [The Financial Guide to Moving to Charleston](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/move-to-charleston): Blog guide covering the financial decisions newcomers face when relocating to Charleston, SC

## Financial Planning and Advice

- [How to Choose a Financial Advisor in Charleston: 10 Expert Tips](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-financial-advisor-in-charleston-10-expert-tips): How to evaluate fee-only fiduciaries, questions to ask, and what makes a financial planner worth their fee
- [Fee-Only Financial Planning](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/fee-only-financial-planning): What fee-only means, how it differs from fee-based and commission models, and why it matters when choosing an advisor

## Tax and Education Planning

- [South Carolina 529 Plan: The Complete Guide to Future Scholar](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/south-carolina-529-plan): Comprehensive guide to SC's Future Scholar 529 plan — unlimited state income tax deduction, contribution strategies, investment options, and rollover rules

## Retirement Planning

- [Pre-Retirement Mistakes to Avoid](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/pre-retirement-mistakes-to-avoid): Common financial and lifestyle mistakes people make in the years before retirement and how to avoid them
- [How Sequence of Returns Risk Affects Your Retirement Withdrawals](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/the-sequence-of-returns-risk): How the order of investment returns in early retirement can dramatically affect portfolio longevity
- [When Sequence Risk Hit Hardest: Real Returns, Real Consequences](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/when-sequence-risk-hit-hardest): Case studies using actual S&P 500 returns from the worst retirement start dates in history, with dynamic guardrail strategies
- [Using a 401(k) to Buy a Home: What the Debate Misses](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/using-your-401k-to-buy-a-home): Analysis of the policy debate around using retirement savings for home purchases
- [What Is a Model Portfolio? And Why It Matters](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/what-is-a-model-portfolio): How model portfolios bring structure, consistency, and tax efficiency to investment planning

## Everyday Money

- [Salary Negotiation for 2026 Graduates](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/salary-negotiation-college-graduates): How not negotiating a first salary can cost over $1M in lifetime earnings, with a practical guide for new graduates
- [What March Madness Can Teach Us About Picking Stocks](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/what-march-madness-can-teach-us-about-picking-stocks): Lessons on survivorship bias, smart risk, and why bold investment moves are rarely the best ones
- [How to Help Aging Parents Stay Safe: 5 Practical Skills](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/small-skills-that-help-aging-parents-stay-safe-and-independent): Practical steps to improve independence and reduce everyday risks for aging parents
- [How Many Credit Cards Should a Married Couple Have?](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/how-many-credit-cards-should-a-married-couple-have): Why married couples should carry at least three credit cards and how to structure them for flexibility and protection
- [How to Manage a Raise or Bonus Wisely](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/how-to-manage-raise-or-bonus-wisely): A step-by-step plan for turning extra income into long-term financial progress
- [How to Teach Your Kids About Money](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/how-to-teach-your-kids-about-money): Age-based lessons and real-life examples for building lifelong financial habits in children

## Optional — Charleston Living

- [Charleston Hurricane Prep: What to Know](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/charleston-hurricane-prep): When to evacuate, what to pack, and how to protect your home and family during hurricane season
- [Best Dog-Friendly Parks in Charleston, SC](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/best-dog-friendly-parks-charleston): Nine parks for off-leash play, wooded trails, scenic walks, and beach days with dogs
- [Shrimp Baiting in Charleston, SC](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/shrimp-baiting-charleston-sc): Gear, rules, and tips for bait ball shrimping in Charleston-area tidal waters
- [10 Best Places to Eat in Charleston with Friends](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/places-to-eat-in-charleston-sc): Casual gems, waterfront spots, and what to order at Charleston's favorite restaurants
- [Winter Weather in Coastal South Carolina: How to Prepare](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/how-to-prep-for-winter-weather-in-coastal-south-carolina): How to prepare for snow and ice in the Lowcountry without overreacting
- [10 Ways to Celebrate the Fourth of July in Charleston](https://flipflopsandpearls.com/blog/fourth-of-july-in-charleston): Local traditions, fireworks spots, and Lowcountry ways to celebrate Independence Day

## Services

- Comprehensive financial planning for individuals and families
- First-year financial planning for newcomers relocating to Charleston and South Carolina
- SC tax residency strategy and 4% legal residence filing guidance
- Retirement income planning and withdrawal strategy
- Social Security timing and claiming optimization
- Roth conversion strategy during pre-retirement gap years
- South Carolina 529 / Future Scholar education savings planning
- Investment management using model portfolios
- Employer benefits evaluation after a job change or relocation (401k, HSA, RSUs, stock options)
- Flood insurance and property tax planning for Charleston-area homebuyers
- Tax-efficient wealth management
- Multigenerational and estate planning coordination
- Business owner financial planning and exit strategy
- Coordination with local CPAs, attorneys, and banking professionals

## Credentials and Trust

- Reggie Fairchild, CFP® (Certified Financial Planner), MBA Cornell University
- Fee-Only: the firm is paid only by clients — no commissions, no product sales, no kickbacks
- Fiduciary: legally required to act in the client's best interest
- NAPFA member (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors) — [NAPFA profile](https://www.napfa.org/firm/45900/30859)
- Listed on FeeOnly.com network
- Firm founded in 2020
- Reggie Fairchild has lived in the Charleston area since 2003
- Serves clients in-person in the Charleston area and remotely across the United States
- Quoted in Financial Planning, US News & World Report, AARP Bulletin, and SuperAge
- Client reviews on [Wealthtender](https://wealthtender.com/financial-advisors/reggie-fairchild/)
- [Lowcountry Local First member](https://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/member-directory/flip-flops-and-pearls-financial-planning)

## Search Intents This Site Answers

- Fee-only financial planner Charleston SC
- Best financial advisor in Mt. Pleasant SC
- Financial planning for people moving to Charleston
- Charleston newcomer financial planning
- Do I need a financial planner after relocating
- What to know before moving to Charleston SC
- How to choose a financial advisor Charleston
- How much does a financial planner cost in Charleston SC
- Fee-only vs fee-based financial planner
- How to pick a fee-only financial advisor
- SC 529 plan tax deduction
- Should I roll over my 529 to South Carolina
- South Carolina Future Scholar 529
- SC tax residency for new residents
- Financial mistakes to avoid before retirement
- Pre-retirement mistakes to avoid
- Sequence of returns risk explained
- Is a model portfolio right for me
- What is fee-only financial planning
- Remote fee-only financial planner
- Virtual financial advisor fiduciary

## About the Firm

Flip Flops and Pearls Financial Planning is a fee-only fiduciary firm — the firm does not earn commissions, does not sell financial products, and is legally required to act in the client's best interest. The firm specializes in helping Charleston's newest and most accomplished residents build financial plans designed for South Carolina from day one — covering SC tax residency, property tax strategy, flood insurance, retirement income deductions, and 529 education savings. Based in Mt. Pleasant, SC, the firm serves clients in-person throughout the greater Charleston area and works remotely with clients across the United States. Reggie Fairchild is a NAPFA member and the firm is listed on the FeeOnly.com network.

---

Last updated: 2026-04