How I Apply the Same Financial Advice I Give My Clients

As a financial planner, I’m often asked: Do you follow the same advice you give to clients?
The short answer is: Yes. Every principle I recommend—building a strong foundation, saving consistently, investing intentionally—I use in my own life.

Like many of the families we serve, we’ve juggled raising kids, managing a mortgage, and navigating competing priorities. Our financial life isn’t perfect, but it’s intentional. And that’s what matters most. Here’s how we manage our money—and how these same strategies might apply to you.

Start with a Solid Foundation

From the beginning, building an emergency fund was a priority for us. Life happens—cars break down, unexpected expenses show up, and plans change.
A strong foundation gives you the flexibility to handle life’s surprises without derailing your long-term goals.

Prioritize Retirement Savings

One of the first things we do every year is max out our retirement accounts. It hasn’t always been that way—early in our careers, we just aimed to get the employer match. Over time, as our income grew, we increased our contributions.

We also take advantage of Roth contributions when it makes sense for our tax situation. Whether it’s traditional or Roth, the goal is the same: build long-term, tax-advantaged savings that give us flexibility in the future.

If you’re just starting out, don’t stress about maxing everything out right away. Start where you can. Stay consistent. Increase your contributions when you’re able. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress.

Save for College Without Sacrificing Your Own Goals

When our kids were younger, we used 529 plans to help fund their education. We aimed to contribute enough to give them flexibility, but we were always careful not to prioritize college savings over our own retirement.

Looking back, that balance served us well—and for families planning now, there’s even more flexibility with the option to roll unused 529 funds into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary (within limits). It’s a great way to give your kids a head start, even if not all the funds go toward tuition.

The key is planning intentionally—supporting your kids while protecting your own financial future.

Be Intentional with Lifestyle Spending

We live in a home we love, but not the biggest or flashiest one on the block. That’s on purpose. We’d rather direct our spending toward experiences—like an annual family trip—than stretch for a bigger mortgage or take on the costs of a second home.

Instead of buying a vacation property, we’ve chosen to rent Airbnbs when we travel. It gives us flexibility without the long-term financial commitment.

We also believe in paying ourselves first. That means saving and investing consistently, then deciding how to spend what’s left. It gives us the freedom to enjoy today, while still planning for tomorrow.

Invest with a Long-Term View

My personal investments mirror what I recommend to clients: a diversified portfolio aligned with long-term goals. I don’t chase trends or try to time the market. I believe in staying the course—even when it’s uncomfortable.

And just like our clients, I don’t manage it all myself. I trust our investment team to run my portfolio with the same discipline and process they use for everyone else.

Plan for Flexibility, Not Just Retirement

When people ask me about retirement, I tell them it’s less about leaving work and more about creating options.

Our goal is financial independence—not tied to a specific age, but to the freedom of choosing what our lives look like down the road. It’s about building flexibility, not just a finish line.

The Bottom Line

The strategies I share with clients—emergency savings, steady investing, intentional spending—aren’t theories. They’re the tools I use every day.
Personal finance doesn’t need to be flashy to be effective. It just needs to reflect your values and support the life you’re working to build.

If you’re ready to create a plan that works for your life, I’d love to help.