Financial Coaching: Make Your Money Make Sense.

Money touches every part of our lives, yet most of us are winging it. We think we're supposed to have it all figured out. Nobody does, not completely. That's where my 20+ years as a financial planner come in…to help you stop spinning your wheels and start moving forward with clarity and confidence.

The goal is simple: understand your money so it can work for the life you want.

What you get

Plus clarity on what truly matters to you. No spreadsheet overwhelm, no financial advisor speak. Just the facts, served straight.
I'm a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and Accredited Financial Counselor® who's helped hundreds of people untangle their money stories and build something better.
Skills and strategies you can use with confidence, even when life throws you curveballs.
To help you stay on track, adjust when needed, and keep moving toward your goals.

how it works

We get curious about what's most important to you and what you want your money to do. This isn't about what you should want—it's about what you want.
Together, we lay out the basics—no judgment, just the facts. Sometimes the biggest relief is simply knowing where you stand.
We focus on your top priorities, whether that's paying off debt, merging finances with a partner, or prepping for a big life shift. We'll tackle what matters most first.
We craft a simple, actionable path that fits your style and your goals. No cookie-cutter plans; this is about what works for you.
You get follow-up check-ins to celebrate wins, troubleshoot roadblocks, and keep moving forward. Because knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things.

‘Greater Financial Confidence and Peace of Mind’

I have worked with Derek for a couple of years to better manage my finances and address other issues as they arise. I appreciate his ability to listen, understand, and offer different perspectives, and I trust the wisdom and experience he can bring to any discussion. As a result of our sessions, I’m more aware of thoughts that may prevent me from seeing possibilities, and I’ve learned practical ways to shift pessimistic and self-critical thinking. Our coaching keeps me accountable and moving toward my goals—like reducing credit card debt, experimenting with budgets, and investing more wisely. Most importantly, I have more peace of mind and less worry.

what makes this different

Every step is built around your life, not someone else's. Your money story is unique, and your plan should be too.
I'll guide, question, and support, but you own your decisions. This is about building your confidence, not creating dependency.
Most money choices are really about wanting to feel safe, secure, and free. Let's work from there instead of starting with spreadsheets.
Money is emotional. It's tied to our fears, dreams, and deepest values. We'll acknowledge that instead of pretending it's just numbers.

who this is for

This work is for anyone ready to get honest about their money and build something better.

You might be facing a big change—new job, marriage, divorce, windfall, or setback—that's made you realize you need to recalibrate. You might be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or behind with money. Or maybe you've been managing fine, but life has shifted and you want to make sure your money plan still makes sense.

Whether you're working on this alone or with a partner, what matters most is that you want to understand your money story and build habits that stick.

Financial coaching
vs
financial planning

Financial Coaching is about your relationship with money, your habits, and your mindset. It's building awareness, setting goals, and learning to make confident decisions that fit your values and life.

Financial Planning is advice driven—investments, taxes, estate planning, retirement strategies—and focused on comprehensive financial strategies. It often comes after you've got the foundation solid built.

If you need hands-on investment or tax advice, financial planning is a better fit. My focus is on helping you understand your money story so you can build habits that move you toward your goals.