East Metro Financial Advisor Serving Woodbury, Oakdale, and the Communities Around St. Paul
R.M. Shannon Wealth Management brings fee-only, fiduciary financial planning to East Metro households — retirement planning, investment management, tax strategy, and more, from an advisor who works with a small number of clients by design.
Comprehensive Planning for East Metro Families and Pre-Retirees
The East Metro stretches from the neighborhoods of St. Paul east through Maplewood, Oakdale, Lake Elmo, and Woodbury — and the families and professionals who live here have the same planning needs as anyone in the city, without always wanting to drive into Minneapolis to find a qualified advisor. R.M. Shannon Wealth Management is built for exactly that. As a CFP® professional operating on a fee-only basis, I work with a deliberately small client roster so that every household gets the attention their financial picture actually requires.
Services available to East Metro clients include:
- Retirement planning and income strategy
- Investment management aligned to your goals and values
- Tax planning coordinated with your broader financial plan
- Estate planning guidance and beneficiary review
- Charitable giving strategies, including donor-advised funds
- Business planning and succession planning for business owners
- Faith-based financial planning from a Catholic perspective
What Fee-Only and Fiduciary Mean for You
Most people have heard the terms but aren't sure what they mean in practice. Fee-only means I'm compensated only by the fees you pay directly — no commissions, no product sales, no incentives tied to what I recommend. Fiduciary means I'm legally and ethically obligated to act in your interest, not my own. Together, these two standards remove the conflicts of interest that exist in much of the financial services industry. When I make a recommendation, it's because it fits your situation — not because it generates revenue for me.
Who We Work With in the East Metro
My practice is focused on a specific set of clients: pre-retirees and retirees navigating the transition into and through retirement, families building long-term financial plans, and households for whom values — including faith — play a meaningful role in financial decisions. I also work with business owners in the East Metro who need planning that accounts for both their personal finances and their business succession.
If you're in Woodbury, Oakdale, Maplewood, Lake Elmo, or anywhere in the St. Paul East Metro corridor, and you've been looking for an advisor who will engage with your full financial picture rather than manage a single account in isolation, this practice may be a strong fit.
Do you work with clients across the East Metro, or only in specific cities?
I work with clients throughout the East Metro, including Woodbury, Oakdale, Maplewood, Lake Elmo, and the surrounding St. Paul communities. If you're unsure whether your area is within my service range, reach out and I'm happy to confirm.What does it cost to work with a fee-only financial advisor?
Fee-only advisors charge directly for their services — typically through a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of assets under management. There are no commissions or product-based compensation. During an initial conversation, I'll walk you through exactly how the fee structure works so there are no surprises.I'm a few years from retirement. Is now the right time to start working with a financial planner?
The years immediately before retirement are among the most consequential for long-term financial outcomes. Decisions made during this window — around Social Security timing, tax strategy, investment allocation, and income planning — can have lasting effects. Starting the planning process before you retire, rather than at the moment of retirement, gives you the most flexibility.Do you offer faith-based financial planning?
Yes. For clients whose Catholic faith informs how they think about money, giving, and legacy, I offer planning that takes those values seriously. This includes investment screening, charitable giving strategies, and estate planning conversations grounded in a shared framework.



