I never wanted to worry about money or do a financial plan. But just because you don’t want to do something, doesn’t mean you won’t be faced with the need to do it. Sometimes, life will throw you in the deep end if you don’t learn to swim.

I got lucky when it comes to parents. Mom is loving, warm and kind; the stay at home mom who nurtured my interests and made me feel like I could do anything. Dad was a real hero to me, having worked his way from steel worker to business owner. He was a patient man who would sit down and really listen to you when you had a problem or made a mistake.

We never really talked about money in our family. We were comfortable. If we had more than others, I didn’t notice unless someone pointed it out to me. I didn’t think about money. In fact, even when I moved out on my own I tried not to give too much thought to “that financial stuff”.

However, one day in October of 1994, everything changed.  I was 24 years old when I got a frantic call from my brother. My Dad had just been rushed to the hospital with a stroke. Three days later, at the age of 52, my hero was dead.  I was devastated. 

Numb, shocked and feeling like my life had been torn apart, I struggled to continue with my daily life. My purpose and future seemed so tied to my father that I was unsure what to do without dad to guide me. I realized it was time for me to take control of my life

I didn’t want to drown in the deep end.

I had to get my head above water.

The first thing I did was to sit down and make a one-page list of the important things in my life. I thought about where I was now and what I wanted for my future. I also did a budget along with a list of everything I owned and any money I owed.

I had a feeling that if I wanted to start living my life again, that I needed to do something now. I needed to take the “Next Step”. So I looked at this list, which had my most important hopes and goals on it and chose one action I would take in each area of my life that would make things better. I had my first plan.

One action that I made would change my career and my life. I committed to taking at least one new course each year. Considering the turn my life was taking, I decided to learn the basics of money management. I thought the best place to learn would be the same source the experts went to.  I enrolled in “Personal Financial Planning”: the first course for the Certified Financial Planner Designation.

Back then, I didn’t even know what a financial planner was
Most people don't!

A combination of fear, curiosity and newfound control over my money spurred me onwards. The next few years were spent working full-time on top of taking courses. I worked at the bank, various tax firms, and a financial planning firm. At one time, I was working full time at the bank and part-time doing taxes while studying the Securities Course and a financial planning course. It was hard work, but it was worth it. Today, I am a Certified Financial Planner with my own financial planning practice.

I love what I do.

I’m passionate about helping people find financial peace of mind.

Many people wait to see a financial planner. Why? When my dad died, I learned the hard way that “it’s never too early” to deal with the money stuff. It’s also never to early to find ways to be happier or more successful. Take the Next Step to a better life for yourself and your family and I’ll be here to help you.