Financial Planning

Juli Erhart-Graves: I think it’s easy to picture financial growth as a simple line graph with a clear upward trend. But life isn’t linear. Your career isn’t linear. More often than not, “progress” isn’t linear. If you want to actually achieve the financial future you desire, your plan must reflect this reality. It’s like a puzzle, and I’ve always viewed my work in financial planning as the ultimate puzzle. It’s an intellectual challenge that holds great meaning. I get to organize a financial life by figuring out which pieces fit and which are missing. Then I put them together—and that’s how my clients’ goals become reality. Of course, life is a moving puzzle. Early in your career, priorities usually focus on foundational habits: building cash flow discipline, managing debt responsibly, and starting to invest in retirement accounts and other long-term goals. New job opportunities, strategic career shifts, and unexpected setbacks can all change the complexity of the puzzle. Eventually, retirement shifts from a distant goal to something knocking on your door; issues like optimizing tax strategies, scaling investment portfolios responsibly, and preparing for business transitions become additional considerations. No matter a client’s individual situation, my approach has always been iterative. We begin with a comprehensive plan covering investments, retirement, tax strategies, estate planning, and insurance, then regularly revisit and refine these elements. Periodic reviews help clients see progress and reevaluate priorities, providing both confidence and clarity as circumstances change. Wealth-building is a complex puzzle placed on an unpredictable table—and I find great meaning and satisfaction in building a structure that allows you to adapt without losing sight of your long-term goals.

Margaret Gooley: I notice a pattern among high‑achieving professionals: confidence in one financial area often masks risks in another. Strong earnings or investment gains can create a false sense of security that isn’t always supported by a comprehensive, long‑term plan. A few blind spots keep appearing. First, many focus heavily on growth but neglect the equally important task of planning for risk and future transitions. Second, major life changes—career shifts, divorce, business exits, caregiving responsibilities—aren’t planned for early enough. And third, lifestyle creep tends to develop quietly over time, often without clients realizing how much it affects long‑term flexibility. The role of planning is to bring structure and awareness to these areas before they become pressure points. By reviewing cash flow, creating contingency plans, and stress‑testing long‑term goals, we develop a clearer picture of both strengths and vulnerabilities. Addressing these issues early gives clients more room to adjust without losing momentum or peace of mind.

Juli Erhart-Graves: The main advantage of an independent, fee-only advisory firm is that all recommendations are focused on the client’s needs—not influenced by products, quotas, or sales incentives. Independence gives us the freedom to choose the strategies and tools that best support your goals, without pressure to conform to a specific institution’s agenda. This flexibility becomes especially important in rapidly changing markets. We can adjust as needed, review allocations without bias, and customize approaches based on your particular risk tolerance and stage of life. It also provides clients with full transparency: no hidden agendas, no competing interests—just advice based on what we believe will serve them best. For clients who value clarity and personal attention, independence enables us to deliver both in a way that’s flexible, responsive, and completely aligned with their long-term interests.

Margaret Gooley: A fiduciary advisor is legally and ethically obligated to prioritize a client’s interests ahead of their own. This duty influences every aspect of the advisory relationship—from the recommendations we provide to the transparency we maintain regarding risks, fees, and potential conflicts. For clients facing complex decisions, that standard offers two key advantages. First, it removes ambiguity. You receive clear explanations of why a strategy is recommended and how it aligns with your goals. Second, it ensures ongoing accountability. A fiduciary can work with clients to ensure all financial planning decisions stay aligned with their long-term priorities. As life circumstances evolve, we can collaborate with clients to review their plan and adjust where needed. In an environment filled with financial noise, having someone committed to objectivity and clarity can make the decision-making process much simpler and far less stressful.