​Case Study 1 - "From Retirement Stress to Clear Action: John and Megan's Story"

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John and Megan came to me feeling overwhelmed. Like many couples, they knew they should be saving more for retirement, but between daily expenses and life's unexpected costs, they couldn't figure out where to find the money.

 

Here's the truth no one tells you: Most couples have money hiding in plain sight.

 

What we discovered together:

• They had a $20,000 annual gap between their current retirement savings and what they'd need to maintain their desired lifestyle in retirement

• Hidden in their monthly budget was an extra $1,100 that could be redirected toward their future

• Megan's bi-weekly pay schedule meant two "bonus" paychecks this year—money they hadn't even planned for

• Their estate planning documents were outdated and incomplete

 

Where do we go from here? That's where planning comes in.

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Our immediate action plan:

• Megan increased her 401(k) contributions by 6%—a move that felt manageable, not overwhelming

• John boosted his retirement savings by 2%—every step counts

• We mapped out future increases tied to their career milestones: Megan's upcoming salary increase in 3 months, and John's raise after completing flight school in 8 months

 

The best part? Those two extra paychecks totaling over $4,000 became their dedicated vacation fund. Because wealth is more than money—it's also about creating memories and experiences that matter.

 

The outcome: Peace of mind with a clear path forward.

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John and Megan left our meeting with a concrete plan, not just good intentions. They knew exactly when to increase their contributions, how much to save, and—just as importantly—how to enjoy life along the way.

 

This isn't about shame, it's about awareness. Once they could see their complete financial picture, the path became clear.

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Next step: Estate planning documents to protect everything they're building together.

  

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Case Study 2​​ - "From Financial Tension to Peace of Mind: Caitlin and Jordan's Transformation"

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Caitlin and Jordan came to me with a problem many couples face but rarely talk about openly. He was in his early 40s, she was mid-30s, with two young children under 6, and money was becoming a source of tension in their marriage.

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Let's be honest: Money fights are rarely about money.

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What we uncovered:

• A fundamental disconnect in their money values

• No plan for spending or saving toward their goals

• Caitlin craved long-term financial security while Jordan "planned" to work forever

• The stress was affecting both their relationship and family

 

This isn't about "being bad with money", or "doing it wrong", it's about knowing the "what's so" of their current situation. Once we reviewed their income and spending patterns, we mapped out next steps.

 

Where do we go from here? That's where planning comes in. 

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We created strategies to save for emergencies, plan for irregular expenses, and—most importantly—align their retirement goals. The hard truth? Caitlin couldn't stay home with the children yet without derailing their financial future.

 

The transformation in just 9 months:

 

From living paycheck to paycheck to this:

• Increased net worth by 111%—a $68,230 jump

• Boosted savings by 91%—$20,724 more in the bank

• Reduced debt by 20%

• Reached their 3-month emergency fund goal of $17,000

• Established monthly money dates to stay connected about finances

• Found peace of mind and confidence they were finally on track

 

The beautiful ending

By staying committed to their plan for another year, Caitlin and Jordan had increased their savings even more and reduced their debt further.

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Most importantly? During year two of COVID, they confidently made the decision for Caitlin to stay home with their children—not from a place of financial stress, but from a position of strength and choice.

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Case Study 3​  - "The Compounding Warrior: David's potential $2.9 Million Future"

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At 27, David was already thinking differently about money. As a network tech who'd just earned a salary bump from $70K to $100K, he had a bold question: "What if I want a $100K lifestyle in retirement—but I want to start planning now?"

 

Here's the truth: Time is your biggest asset when you're young.

 

David's goal seemed straightforward until we did the math. That $100K lifestyle? Due to inflation, he'd actually need over $200K annually in 38 years. Most people would panic. David got excited.

 

Our strategy became his superpower:

• Maximize his Roth 401(k) contributions ($19,500 in 2020)

• Add IRA contributions for tax diversification

• Build wealth in a taxable brokerage account for flexibility

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The outcome that changes everything

 

Using our agreed-upon assumptions, David is potentially on track to accumulate $2.9 million by age 65. But here's what I love most about David's plan: it gives him choices.

 

As his career progresses and his income grows, he can dial back his savings rate and use that money for mid-life goals—or stay the course and retire early. Wealth is more than money—it's freedom to choose your path.

 

Every step counts, and David's early steps are giant leaps toward financial independence

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Case Study 4​  - "When Retirement Dreams Meet Reality: Dan and Rachael's Brave Pivot"

 

Dan and Rachael were living the dream—single income family, kids launched into adulthood, and retirement planned for their mid-50s. Their youngest had just graduated high school and was heading to college. Everything was falling into place.

 

Then Dan discovered some debt he didn't know existed.

 

Let's be honest: Financial surprises can derail decades of planning.

 

Suddenly, the retirement they'd been anticipating looked very different. Dan was concerned—maybe even scared—about their transition. He needed a second look to validate whether their dream was still possible.

 

Here's the truth no one tells you: Sometimes the hardest part isn't the financial math—it's having the conversation with your spouse.

 

Dan and I role-played how to approach Rachael with honesty and love, preparing for a meaningful dialogue about some difficult choices ahead.

 

The transformation required courage

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Dan and Rachael made the bold decision to sell their home, pay off over $155,000 in non-mortgage debt, and downsize into a less expensive rental while they figured out where they wanted to live in retirement now that they were empty nesters.

 

The additional cash flow enabled them to:

• Save $10,000

• Cut their car loan payoff from 5 to 3 years

• Slash their student loan debt payoff from 20 to 10 years

 

The best outcome? Better communication in their relationship—less blame, less defensiveness, more partnership. They found peace of mind and can face retirement more confidently.

 

This isn't about shame, it's about awareness. Sometimes pivoting your plan is the bravest thing you can do.

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Case Study 5 -  "The Hidden $1,300: Jeff and Christine's Money Discovery"

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Jeff and Christine weren't in debt, but they couldn't save as much as they wanted. Sound familiar? They were stuck in the cycle of "always needing to use" credit cards for upcoming expenses, never quite getting ahead. I have found, that this sometimes this "shows up" initially as wanting to accumulate credit card points and eventually moves into this cycle.

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Here's the truth: Most people have money hiding in plain sight.

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When we reviewed their expenses together, we identified over $1,300 monthly that could be redirected toward their life goals. Boy, were they surprised!​

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Our plan:

• Added $600/month toward retirement

• Set up a strategy to save $770/month for variable expenses like:

  • Three annual trips to see family in Minnesota

  • House and car maintenance

  • Clothes and gifts

  • Future healthcare needs for their parents

 

Sometimes you just need fresh eyes to see the possibilities.

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Case Study 6​​​ - "Mortgage Trap That Almost Happened: Nick and Jody's Wake-Up Call"

 

Nick and Jody were drowning—cash flow issues, no emergency fund, mounting debt. Their solution? Refinance their mortgage for a larger amount and use the cash to pay off their debt.

 

Let's be honest: Sometimes the "easy" solution creates bigger problems.

 

We talked through how rolling unsecured credit card debt into their mortgage would put their home at risk. More importantly, if the spending habits that created the debt didn't change, they'd likely find themselves in debt again—but now their house would be on the line.

 

The eye-opening moment: Using an amortization schedule, they saw exactly how much extra interest they'd pay by rolling that debt into a 30-year mortgage.

 

Our smarter strategy: Refinance only the existing mortgage balance (no cash out), then use the monthly savings from the lower payment to eliminate debt within three years.

 

The result:

Within two months,

• their spending was on track and they'd saved $5,000 in their emergency fund

• The data and plan created motivation that changed

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Case Study 7 - "When Good Money Gets Messy: Craig's Business Clean-Up"

 

Sometimes financial problems don't need full financial planning—they need financial coaching. Craig and his wife made good money as a two-income family, but they never seemed to get ahead.

 

The problem: Rental income and expenses were mixed with personal accounts, creating financial chaos that made progress impossible.

 

Over four months, we unraveled the mess, established savings buckets, and set up a "zero balance" checking strategy for clarity.

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Within nine months:

• Saved $12,000 in their emergency fund

• Generated positive cash flow from rental property in a separate business account

• Built a capital account for rental property improvements

 

It's not about what you haven't done—just take that first step toward organization.

 

 

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Case Study 8 - "The 24-Year-Old Homeowner: Jamie's Fast Track to Success"​

 

Jamie was 24 with no savings but a big dream: buy her first home.

 

We reviewed her credit report, income and expenses, set up automated savings buckets for variable expenses, and created a dedicated "house fund."

 

The magic: Automated systems reduced credit card usage and created transparency so Jamie could easily track her progress.

 

Jamie's success:

• Purchased her first home within 6 months of working together

• Saved an additional $20,000+ in the 12 months after her home purchase

 

Every step counts, and Jamie's first steps built incredible momentum.

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Case Study 9 - "Crisis Mode: Jason and Chris's $85,000 Debt Mountain"

 

Jason and Chris were drowning under a mountain of debt that threatened everything—their family stability, Jason's military career, and their future.

 

The numbers were staggering:

• $85,000+ in credit card debt

• 20+ credit cards

• Interest rates as high as 26%

• Monthly credit card payments of $4,000

 

They were trapped in a cycle of moving balances from card to card, never getting ahead. For Jason, a service member, this mounting debt could jeopardize his security clearance.

  

Here's the truth: Sometimes you need breathing room before you can breathe again.

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Our breakthrough plan:

• Reduced credit card payments to $1,800/month

• Cut monthly payments by 55%—saving $2,200/month

• Created a 5-year payoff plan without going delinquent

• Preserved their credit history and Jason's career

 

The increased cash flow:

Reduced stress, allowed them to live within their means, and eliminated the need to consider bankruptcy—which would have been devastating for Jason's military career.

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Case Study 10​​ - The FIRE Mom: Gina's Multi-Generational Wealth Strategy

 

Gina was a hard-working mom with two young children who was serious about FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). She wanted to retire before 50 and was always looking for opportunities to accelerate that timeline.

 

Over 12 months of working together, Gina didn't just increase her net worth—she built a legacy:

• Set up additional savings for her children's education

• Increased retirement contributions

• Confidently evaluated and accepted a career offer with complete financial clarity

• Started a business where her children work, maximizing tax-efficient strategies

• Opened and funded Roth IRAs for her children from their earned income

 

Thoughtfulplanning matter, and Gina's steps are building wealth across generations.

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Case Study 11​ - "From Paycheck to Freedom: Jim's RV Adventure" 

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Jim had a dream: retire in his mid-50s and travel the country. But dreams are just desires without a plan, and Jim was living paycheck to paycheck with credit card debt, a HELOC, and a mortgage weighing him down. Even with a active duty military pension as an E-8, that he'd be getting, things needed to change.

 

Where do we go from here? That's where planning comes in.

 

Over nine months, we crafted a spending plan that addressed not just his numbers, but his relationship with money and spending triggers. We set up structures to save for both necessary expenses and his lifestyle goals—like that RV he dreamed about.

 

Jim's breakthrough moment: He decided to sell his home and use the proceeds to:

• Pay off his primary and secondary mortgages

• Eliminate his remaining debt

• Retire five years earlier than originally planned

 

The life he's living now

Last I heard, Jim was traveling the US in his RV, spending time in Europe with friends, and looking for a small house to call home base (maybe even in Portugal).

 

Wealth is more than money—it's the freedom to choose your adventure.

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Case Study 12 - "The Day Before Thanksgiving Crisis: Victor's Pension Rescue"
 

It was the day before Thanksgiving when Victor called in crisis mode. His security clearance was threatened, which meant losing his 20+ year military pension just 18 months before retirement.

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The marathon session: Over seven hours, we:

• Reviewed three credit bureau reports

• Searched tax and sales records on county websites

• Gathered documentation from his 2008 short sale

• Contacted current and previous mortgage companies

• Filed a Better Business Bureau complaint

• Contacted Fannie Mae

• Built a chronological history with weblinks and screenshots for his security clearance inquiry

 

The outcome: Victor's stress was reduced, his short sale issue from 2008 was cleared, his security clearance was restored, and he could retire with his full military pension.

 

I know firsthand how powerful financial clarity can be—it gives you choices. For Victor, it gave him back his future and his family's financial security.

 

Without this resolution, Victor would have lost a 20+ year pension and jeopardized his family's retirement well-being. Sometimes the most important financial work happens in crisis mode.

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Case Study 13 - "From Trust Fund to Life Adventure: How Sam Built Financial Flexibility for Her Dreams"

 

Sam was in her mid-20s and just starting her career as a healthcare professional. She had a trust fund that provided monthly income from a family business. Her mother had passed away when she was in her late teens, and her parents had done excellent estate planning, so she valued professional advice and wanted to continue the example they had set for her.

 

Sam's Goals:

• Learn the best strategies to save for retirement

• Save for a car purchase within the next 3 years

• Maximize her employer benefits package

• Have money available for travel, cycling, yoga, and other activities she loved

• Set up the right accounts and systems

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Our Plan:

• Guide her through the employee benefit review process to select optimal options

• Set up and contribute to her 403(b) for retirement savings

• Maximize participation in her employer's pension plan

• Create a monthly savings strategy for variable expenses like travel and hobbies

• Establish automated systems for her financial goals

• Use financial planning software to model the long-range impact and success of her plan

 

Update: During a subsequent plan review, we updated her spending plan to accommodate an exciting opportunity: moving abroad to live with her boyfriend and start a new chapter of her life. We restructured her financial strategy to support this major life change while still maintaining progress toward her long-term savings goals.

 

Sam's story shows how a solid financial foundation can provide the flexibility to embrace new opportunities while staying on track with your values and goals.

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Case Study 14 - "Breaking Free from the Debt Spiral: Sara’s $100K Turnaround"

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Sara  was in her mid-60’s and feeling trapped. She was newly out of a divorce for about 3 years, and without the means she previously had. Every time she'd get a salary income  increase and seemed to make progress something else came up. Nearly $100,000 in consumer debt was suffocating her life, with monthly creditor payments exceeding $3,700—and growing every month. At 26% average interest rates, she couldn't see any way out.

 

Let's be honest: When debt payments are larger than most people's rent, it feels impossible to breathe.

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Sara was caught in the vicious cycle so many face—using credit cards for everyday expenses because debt payments consumed most of her income, which only made the problem worse. Each month, the hole got deeper.

Here's the truth no one tells you: Sometimes you're so focused on keeping your head above water, you can't see the lifeline right next to you.

  

Where do we go from here? That's where strategic planning comes in.

 

Together, we analyzed every dollar coming in and going out. We looked at interest rates, minimum payments, and cash flow patterns. Most importantly, we addressed the emotional weight of carrying this burden alone.

 

Our breakthrough strategy:

• Cut her monthly debt payments by 46%—from over $3,700 down to $1,569

• Freed up $2,168 in monthly cash flow

• Created a system to stop her reliance on credit cards for everyday expenses 

• Track spening and forecast ahead for expenses

• Built breathing room so she could start living instead of just surviving

• Payoff remaining debt in 2 years

• Increased her retirement savings

 

The transformation: From drowning to living

This isn't about shame, it's about awareness. Once Sara could see her complete financial picture and had a concrete plan, everything changed. That extra $2,168 per month wasn't just money—it was freedom to make choices without panic.

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The best part? Sara stopped the cycle of using credit cards for groceries, gas, and daily expenses. For the first time in years, she was living within her means -  instead of borrowing from her future she's saving for it.

 

Every step counts, and Sara's first step was admitting she needed help. Her next steps are building the financially stable life she deserves.

  

Financial clarity can be—it gives you choices. The choice to step back, to breathe, and take strategic action.

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