You can – and should – have both.
Making the money isn’t your problem – in fact, you’re finally seeing the financial return on your career investments (you know, the ones you’ve been making out of your blood, sweat, and tears).
Because now that you finally have it, of course you want to make better, smarter decisions with it… as soon as you figure out which decisions you need to make, what your options are, and how to actually implement said decisions. 😅
You know, like taking your dream trip and not worrying that you’re spending away Future You’s financial security. Putting in an offer on a place you’re obsessed with, instead of stressing that it’s “too much house” for your income. Maxing out your 401(k) and booking the kitchen reno – because you actually know how both fit into the bigger picture.
And let me tell you, it’s much easier to make big decisions (and feel good about them) when you have a financial planner who can show you the numbers, walk you through the options, back them up with a data-driven model that aims to answer every “what if” scenario keeping you up at night, and make sure you’re setting yourself up well at every step.
I’ll review your finances top to bottom (from your current situation to your goals for the future) and develop a rock-solid plan to help you get there.
The actual contents of your financial plan depend on your income, assets, goals, and more – but here’s a peek into just some of the things I consider when helping you plan for your financial future.
✓ Making sure you have enough insurance coverage (and not more than you need)
✓ Reviewing life, health, disability, property, casualty, and long-term care insurance
✓ Coordinating with your partner’s benefits
✓ Helping you with your investment strategy across pre-tax, post-tax, and taxable brokerage accounts
✓ College & health savings account guidance
✓ Concentrated stock planning
✓ Optimizing asset location of investments
✓ Helping you prioritize between retirement, home, and college savings
✓ Building models that help you see the trade-offs of early retirement, sabbaticals, etc.
✓ Mapping out a savings strategy that supports your goals without putting your lifestyle on hold
✓ Reviewing your tax setup to spot missed opportunities
✓ Deciding which type of retirement contribution makes sense for you
✓ Helping you avoid underpayment penalties & unexpected tax bills
✓ Figuring out the right time to buy a home for you
✓ Helping you decide how much house to buy & how to structure your down payment
✓ Weighing the pros and cons of renting vs. buying in your specific situation
✓ Understanding what you’re earning, spending, and saving
✓ Strategizing around irregular or bonus-based income
✓ Creating a system for managing surplus income without restricting your lifestyle
If you'd like comprehensive planning for a fixed engagement, the one-time plan gives you everything you need to move forward confidently. If you want ongoing partnership as your life evolves with regular check-ins, proactive adjustments, and continuous optimization, the monthly subscription keeps your financial plan aligned with where you're headed.
As a flat-fee financial planner, I'm here to make things easy. Choose a one-time comprehensive plan for a fixed engagement, or opt for a monthly subscription for proactive planning that evolves with you.
monthly subscription
one time financial plan
I operate Better Planning as a flat-fee financial planner, which means:
✓ I’m paid a clear, transparent amount directly by you, not through commissions or product sales.
✓ I always act as a fiduciary, which means I’m legally obligated to put YOUR best interests first.
✓ You’ll always know exactly what you’re paying for – and exactly what you’re getting in return.
We’ll *officially* meet on a (free!) consultation call to talk goals, income, assets, and how I can support you. This is a completely pressure-free call, and a chance for us both to make sure we’re a great fit.
You’ll upload all of your financial documents to your client portal (basically, everything with a dollar sign on it – don’t worry, I’ll give you a checklist). This lets me see the full picture so your plan is actually built around your life.
We’ll meet on a video call to walk through an official State Of The Finances review, get aligned on priorities, and start mapping your goals to real strategies. My goal is for you to leave our call feeling more in control, and with the peace of mind that I’ve got it from here.
Over the next few months, we’ll have a series of meetings to build your comprehensive plan, model different scenarios and map out clear, customized recommendations. Every strategy is filtered through your goals, lifestyle, and tax impact. We’ll tailor the meeting schedule to match the needs of your plan – some clients need more touchpoints, others less. Either way, I’m always a quick email away for questions.
We'll review everything together, and I'll make sure you have a prioritized action list (so you know what to do next, and why it matters). From here, you're equipped to move forward, whether that's on your own or with ongoing support through the monthly subscription.
You’re more than capable of doing research, reading books, and learning how to DIY the beginnings of a financial plan – but you really don’t know what you don’t know, which is exactly what I’m here for. I’ll make sure your financial plan is built on solid ground, backed by modeling and projections that show you how different decisions could play out — so you’re not just guessing, you’re planning with clarity.
Whether you’d like an outside opinion on how to combine your finances now that you’re married, figuring out where to send money next (Kids’ college? Car? House?), or just insight into how to secure and grow your money over time, I’ll aim to help you make the smart, informed decisions that move you forward – and send you off into your financially-prepared future with peace of mind and a solid plan.
You’re more than capable of doing research, reading books, and learning how to DIY the beginnings of a financial plan – but you really don’t know what you don’t know, which is exactly what I’m here for. I’ll make sure your financial plan is built on solid ground, backed by modeling and projections that show you how different decisions could play out — so you’re not just guessing, you’re planning with clarity.
Whether you’d like an outside opinion on how to combine your finances now that you’re married, figuring out where to send money next (Kids’ college? Car? House?), or just insight into how to secure and grow your money over time, I’ll aim to help you make the smart, informed decisions that move you forward – and send you off into your financially-prepared future with peace of mind and a solid plan.
Don’t see the answer to your question? Email me at chelsea@startbetterplanning.com!
Yes, as a CFP® professional, I’m required to operate as a fiduciary at all times – which just means I’ll always make recommendations based on your best interest (which was always true, but the letters make it official).
Nope! I charge a flat fee (instead of the more “traditional” percentage-of-assets-fee), so there’s no minimum – and no hidden costs.
Of course! Many of my clients have classic 9-to-5 jobs with a side hustle, their own businesses, or plans to start their own businesses. I consider “untraditional” income to be the new traditional, and will tailor your plans to your exact season of life.