FAR Financial

A while ago, I wrote about something called a legacy letter.
It’s a simple idea: writing to your loved ones to share what matters most to you.

But legacy isn’t only emotional. It can also be very practical.
When my father passed away last year, I was reminded how hard it can be to piece together someone’s financial life. Accounts across institutions. Insurance policies. Bills on autopay. Important documents scattered in different places.

Even when things are relatively organized, it still takes time and effort—both emotional and practical—to understand what exists and where to find it.

That experience reinforced something I’ve long believed:
Clear organization is a gift to the people you care about.

So I created a Financial Records Organizer to help bring the most important information into one place—so that, if someone ever needs to step in, they’re not starting from scratch.

Completing something like this may feel like a lot of work. And it is. But you don’t have to do it all at once. Even filling in a few sections can make a meaningful difference.

If a legacy letter is about what you want to say,
this organizer is about what your loved ones will need to know.

You can download it here:
https://www.farfinancialplanning.com/s/FF_Financial_Organizer.pdf

Estate planning is one of those things most of us quietly file under “I’ll deal with it later.” Until later arrives.

Today, my father would have been 79. He passed away last summer. Even with some planning in place, the amount of work that followed was overwhelming. Insurance, accounts, subscriptions, details no one thinks about until they’re suddenly responsible for all of them.

In Am I Going to Be Okay? (https://a.co/d/3mnmu4X), Patti Brennan talks about writing a handwritten letter to your children or loved ones. Not to give instructions, but to share perspective, reassurance, and love.

That idea stayed with me. Earlier this year, I wrote my first letter to my kids. I plan to write one every year. When I’m no longer around, they’ll still have a way to hear my voice.

My father wrote poetry. Through his poems, I feel connected to him. I just wish he had written something meant only for me.

Estate planning isn’t just paperwork. It’s legacy. And legacy isn’t just financial. It’s human.

I really enjoyed my conversation with Branden DuCharme on his podcast. We covered four critical areas where creatives, who freelance or run a small business need focused attention: managing irregular income, choosing appropriate business entities, navigating health insurance options, and implementing effective retirement planning strategies. Available on YouTube and other podcast platforms.
https://youtu.be/KnQ7Rsq_bOk?si=H0CZt99DyqOhZnDp

Tax Hacks That Won't Leave You Broke Igor shares his expertise on financial planning tailored specifically for creative professionals and freelancers, addressing the unique challenges they face ...

Designing a Comprehensive Financial Plan that works and why it’s good to Start There.

Most people don’t reach out to a financial planner saying, “I want a comprehensive financial plan.” They usually start with specific questions like:

• How do I manage irregular cash flow?
• Am I saving enough for retirement or my kid’s college education?
• Which retirement plan should I choose at work?
• Will I have enough money to move if my job situation changes?

These are all great questions but they are usually just one piece of a much bigger picture. Because when it comes to money, everything is interconnected. And like with any good design process, we need to understand the system as a whole before we can adjust or improve any one part.

That’s why I strongly recommend starting most client relationships by building a comprehensive financial plan. Planning in pieces might seem simpler and cheaper but this approach has a potential to miss opportunities or even create new problems.

When we take the time to see how everything fits together: cash flow, taxes, goals, investments, benefits, and risks we can make smarter, more confident decisions.

And once we’ve got the plan in place, I don’t just hand it off and wish you luck. A good financial plan is only solid if it gets implemented. That is why I offer hands-on implementation support if you need it, at a pace that works for you. Whether it’s transferring accounts, rebalancing investments, or revisiting spending habits, I’m right there with you.

Curious what a full plan looks like? I’m happy to walk you through the process! Schedule a free introductory call.

My Advice-Only Planning Approach

There are many ways financial planners structure their work with clients. Each has its place, depending on what someone needs. When I launched FAR Financial, I chose an advice-only model because it aligns best with the people I serve: creative professionals who value clarity, simplicity, and flexibility.

Here’s what that looks like:

• We start with a comprehensive financial plan. This upfront work builds a clear picture of your finances, priorities, and goals. It does take some effort, but clients often find the process surprisingly rewarding. It brings clarity, confidence, and reduces the stress of uncertainty.
• We check in as life evolves. Once the plan is in place, we maintain the relationship through hourly planning: annual or semi-annual tune-ups. For most clients, this adds up to no more than five hours a year.
• No ongoing fees. Instead of subscriptions or asset-based fees, you pay only for my time when you actually need it.

This approach works especially well for clients who are comfortable handling parts of their finances on their own but want expert guidance to stay on track. It avoids unnecessary complexity, keeps costs fair, and provides peace of mind knowing your plan grows with you.

Financial planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. My role is to make it clear, collaborative, and supportive so you can focus on living your life with confidence.

You don’t realize how much you rely on something until it stops working.

A couple months ago, I broke my elbow. I was not on some grand adventure, just taking my usual morning walk. Suddenly, daily life became complicated, and I realized how interconnected everything was. Our financial lives are similar: quietly supporting us until something goes wrong. Here’s what breaking an elbow taught me about financial resilience and planning for the unexpected.

You Don’t Realize How Much You Rely on It Until It’s Not Working — FAR Financial, advice-only financial planning for creative professionals You don’t realize how much you rely on something until it stops working. A couple months ago, I broke my elbow. I was not on some grand adventure, just taking my usual morning walk. Suddenly, daily life became complicated, and I realized how interconnected everything was. Our financial lives are s...

We talk about a lot of things with friends and family: relationships, health, careers—even politics. But money? That one tends to stay locked away.

Why talking about money feels so isolating, even with the people closest to us—and what can shift when we finally open up. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying your financial worries alone, you’re definitely not the only one. Talking about money doesn’t have to be taboo—it just takes a little trust, a safe space, and maybe someone to help you sort through the noise.

Can We Talk? The Surprising Loneliness of Money — FAR Financial, advice-only financial planning for creative professionals Why talking about money feels so isolating, even with the people closest to us—and what can shift when we finally open up. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying your financial worries alone, you’re definitely not the only one. Talking about money doesn’t have to be taboo—it just takes...

Introducing: Creatives & Money Conversations

As a creative-turned-financial planner, I know firsthand how tough (and awkward!) money conversations can be for designers and creative professionals. That's why I'm hosting free monthly AMA sessions to openly discuss your biggest money questions—without any pitches or strings attached.

✅ Small groups (4 people max)
✅ Ask literally anything about finances or creative biz
✅ Completely free, zero pressure, just real answers

First session is coming up soon—spaces are limited!

Learn more: https://www.farfinancialplanning.com/creativesandmoney-conversations

Creatives & Money Conversations - Free Monthly AMA — FAR Financial, advice-only financial planning for creative professionals Join FAR Financial's free monthly AMA, Creatives & Money Conversations, designed specifically for creative professionals. Ask questions, gain clarity on finances, freelancing, taxes, business structures, and more—no pitches, just genuine support from a creative-turned-financial planner.

Ever overhear someone debating a Roth 401(k) versus a traditional 401(k) at a party and struggle to "read the room"? Guilty as charged! Choosing between these retirement plans doesn't have to be complicated—it really boils down to your tax expectations, flexibility preferences, and future plans. Spoiler alert: I may have gone a bit too deep explaining all this to someone who just wanted simple answers. Oops!

Understanding your retirement options matters—but so does knowing when to hold back your inner financial planner at social gatherings. If you've ever wondered how to make the right choice without all the financial jargon (or awkward party moments), this quick guide is for you.

Traditional 401(k), Roth 401(k) and How to Read the Room. — FAR Financial, advice-only financial planning for creative professionals Ever overhear someone debating a Roth 401(k) versus a traditional 401(k) at a party and struggle to "read the room"? Guilty as charged! Choosing between these retirement plans doesn't have to be complicated—it really boils down to your tax expectations, flexibility preferences, and future

Becoming a victim of identity theft is no fun. We learned this the hard way a few years ago when scammers used my wife's information to create a fake identity, open credit cards, and even secure a personal loan. The frustrating part? It all could have been avoided with a simple credit freeze—a free, easy-to-use tool that locks down your credit report and keeps fraudsters out. Knowing how to freeze your credit, when to unfreeze it, are essential to safeguarding your financial future. Because when it comes to protecting your identity, prevention is always easier than cleanup. 🚫🔒

Freeze It Before They Use It: Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft — FAR Financial, advice-only financial planning for creative professionals Identity theft can turn your financial life upside down in an instant. My wife learned this the hard way when scammers used her information to create a fake identity, open credit cards, and even secure a personal loan. The frustrating part? It all could have been avoided with a simple credit freeze

Marcus Aurelius, russian rock and financial clarity. Financial wellness isn’t about predicting the future—it’s about making smart choices today and protecting what matters.

Do What You Must, Let What Happens Happen: A Stoic Approach to Financial Clarity — FAR Financial, advice-only financial planning for creative professionals Do What You Must, Let What Happens Happen Marcus Aurelius, russian rock and financial clarity. Financial wellness isn’t about predicting the future—it’s about making smart choices today and protecting what matters.