What is a fee-only financial advisor?

A fee-only financial advisor is compensated solely by the client — not through commissions, product sales, or referral fees. At Macallen Capital, we are a fee-only registered investment adviser, which means our advice is never influenced by outside incentives. We are paid only by you, and our recommendations are made exclusively in your best interest.

Who does Macallen Capital work with?

Macallen Capital works primarily with families and small business owners who have built a foundation of $500,000 or more in savings. We specialize in the 'red zone' — clients aged 50 and above who are planning for retirement or transitioning out of the workforce — as well as delegators who are ready to hand off the financial complexity to an expert.

Is Macallen Capital a fiduciary?

Yes. As a registered investment adviser and fee-only firm, Macallen Capital operates as a fiduciary at all times. That means we are legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interest — not ours.

What services does Macallen Capital offer?

Macallen Capital offers comprehensive wealth management including investment planning, retirement planning, Social Security and income planning, tax planning, risk management and insurance review, employee benefits review, and estate and legacy planning. We coordinate all of these disciplines into a single, integrated financial plan.

How do I get started with Macallen Capital?

Getting started begins with an initial consultation — a brief conversation to understand your goals and determine if we're the right fit. From there, we move into discovery and analysis, build a customized strategy, and implement your plan with ongoing support. You can start by visiting macallencapital.com/start.

Does Macallen Capital work with clients outside of Phoenix?

Yes. While Macallen Capital is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, we work with clients nationwide. As a registered investment adviser, we are able to serve clients across the United States.

What is a beneficiary designation and why does it matter?

A beneficiary designation is the form attached to your IRA, 401(k), or life insurance policy that dictates who receives those assets when you pass away. Unlike a will or trust, beneficiary designations override your estate planning documents entirely — the form wins, regardless of what your will says. Keeping these designations current and coordinated with your overall estate plan is one of the most important — and most overlooked — steps in financial planning.

What is the HSA shoebox strategy?

The HSA shoebox strategy involves paying current medical expenses out of pocket, saving the receipts, and leaving your HSA funds invested to grow tax-free. Because the IRS places no time limit on when you can reimburse yourself for a qualified medical expense (per IRS Publication 969), you can pull those funds out years or decades later — tax-free — while the original balance continues to compound. It turns your HSA into a long-term, tax-free investment vehicle rather than a simple spending account.

The Macallen Model

Name: Macallen Capital
Address: 2325 E Camelback Rd. #400, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, US
Telephone: (602) 536-7828
Price range: Fee-Only

May 13

Written By Mark Sanaiha

For years, the financial industry has operated on a "black box" model. You hand over your life savings, receive a thick stack of reports filled with jargon, and hope the person on the other end is looking out for you as much as their own quarterly targets.

Over the years, I’ve met with a number of these clients that would come to us from other firms for a complete makeover of their retirement blueprint.

I recall sitting across from a couple who had been "loyal" to a big-box firm for twenty years. They had a "diversified" portfolio of 30 different mutual funds, yet they had no idea if they could actually afford to retire. They had plenty of products, but they didn't have a plan. Their advisor would gloss over different wealth topics & when it came to ‘replacing their paycheck’, they didn’t feel their was a plan that’d give them confidence.

They were paying hidden fees they didn't understand for a service that felt like a transaction rather than a relationship. I realized early in my career that wealth management needs to stop being about selling products and start being about protecting people.

When we decided to build this firm, we didn't just want to change the logo on the door. We wanted to change the DNA of the advice we give. We built our foundation on three non-negotiables:

Transparency: No hidden commissions, no "proprietary" products that benefit us more than you, and no jargon. You will always know exactly what you’re paying and, more importantly, exactly what you’re getting for it.
Comprehensive Planning: Your life doesn't happen in a vacuum. A portfolio is useless if it’s not talking to your tax strategy, your estate plan, and your business goals. We look at the whole picture, not just the ticker symbols.
Fiduciary First: Being a fiduciary isn’t a marketing slogan for us; it’s our legal and moral compass. We sit on your side of the table. Period.

At the end of the day, money is just a tool. It’s a means to buy back your time, fund your adventures, and provide security for the people you love. If your financial advisor only talks to you about "beating the market" and never asks about your vision for the next decade, they’re missing the point.

We aren’t for everyone. We don't do hype and we don't chase every headline. We work with people who want a partner in their complexity; someone to handle the heavy lifting so they can get back to living.

Mark Sanaiha

The Macallen Model

The One Document That Can Overrule Your Will

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