Justin Brammer

After 13 years of being a financial advisor, it’s become easy to identify the clients who will be the best fit for our process.

They proactively schedule meetings before making financial decisions.

They come prepared for meetings with documents and statements ready.

They show up with an open mind and eager to learn.

And these same clients often times want to introduce their friends and family to me which 9 times out of 10 become great clients.

The saying couldn’t be more true: love what you do and you won’t work a day in your life!

One of the biggest surprises I see when working with young professionals?

Income is rarely the problem.

A person can earn $60,000 and build wealth. Another can earn $300,000 and still struggle financially.

The difference usually comes down to a few key habits.

The 5 biggest mistakes I see young professionals making today:

Lifestyle inflation. Every raise turns into a bigger payment, leaving little room to build wealth.

Waiting to invest. Many plan to start "later," but time is one of the most powerful factors in building wealth.

Focusing on saving money instead of growing income. Investing in skills, education, and career opportunities can often provide the greatest return.

Taking on too much debt. Large car payments, credit cards, and other consumer debt can quietly limit future financial flexibility.

Having no real financial plan. Saving money is important, but knowing where to save it and why matters just as much.

The people who build wealth the fastest are often not the highest earners.

They're the ones who consistently spend less than they make, invest early, and make intentional financial decisions year after year.

Building wealth is usually less about finding the perfect investment and more about avoiding the common mistakes that get in the way.

Some of the conversations from this week’s client meetings:

“How aggressive should we be paying down debt versus investing for the future?”

“Are we actually behind on retirement savings, or does it just feel that way?”

“How do we balance saving for long term goals while still enjoying life today?”

“Would buying a home right now create too much financial pressure, or is it a smart next step?”

“How do we simplify multiple accounts, old 401(k)s, HSAs, and cash flow so everything feels more organized and intentional?”

One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is that most people are not looking for complicated strategies. They’re looking for clarity and confidence in the direction they’re heading.

A lot of financial planning is simply helping people slow down the noise, prioritize the right next steps, and build momentum forward.

Two college football players. Both making high 6 figures in NIL income during the same season.

Same age.
Same locker room.
Same opportunity.

But they approach the money completely differently.

Player #1 treats NIL money like it has to last longer than his football career. He drives a normal truck, rents a reasonable apartment, and asks questions constantly. He wants to understand taxes, investing, and how to avoid becoming another athlete who made a lot and kept very little.

He builds a cash reserve. Maximizes retirement accounts available to him. Sets aside money for taxes before spending a dollar. He understands that every flashy purchase today is potentially costing him something much bigger later.

Player #2 sees NIL money as proof he made it.

New car. Expensive watches. Trips every off weekend. Picking up tabs for everyone around him. Lifestyle inflation hits almost immediately. Any conversation about budgeting feels “too restrictive” to him because he assumes bigger deals are always coming later.

One athlete is building flexibility.
The other is building pressure.

Fast forward 10 years.

Maybe neither makes it to a long NFL career. That’s reality for most players.

One former athlete has investments, savings, lower stress, and options.

The other is trying to maintain a lifestyle that was built around temporary income.

The interesting part is that wealth usually has less to do with income than people think.

A lot of times it comes down to coachability.

The athletes who tend to win financially are usually the ones willing to listen, learn, delay gratification, and make decisions with their future self in mind.

Talent may create the opportunity.

Habits usually determine what’s left of it years later.

My family was the ultimate race crew today.

They stood out in some absolutely nasty weather, still making sure they met me halfway and were there waiting at the finish line. Runners know exactly what I mean when I say there’s something special about seeing your family as you come across that finish line after hours of pushing yourself physically and mentally. It made the whole experience even more meaningful.

A year ago, I had never run a marathon, and now somehow I’ve completed both a marathon and an ultra within months of each other. Crazy things can happen when you keep showing up consistently and pushing the limits a little further.

Mostly, I’m just thankful. For the experience, for the support, and for the ability to keep challenging myself in new ways.

Now it’s time to ease up on the weekly mileage a bit before ramping things back up for the Philadelphia Marathon in November with the whole family participating!

Another year, another Indy Mini in the books.

Anna crushed the 5k just before I took off for the 13.1.

Upper 30’s made for perfect running weather.

A 12 minute PR means sub 1:40 for next year!

May in Indy = kickoff to the Indy 500!

Who all is going to hit the pavement tomorrow morning for the Indy Mini Marathon?!

A recent situation reminded me how expensive “almost right” advice can be.

A client of mine owned some real estate for several years and recently sold it. The plan was to turn around and buy a condo that would be used part personally, part for business and investment.

They asked their realtor if it would qualify for a 1031 exchange… and were told no.

So they sold the property, closed on the sale, and a few weeks later bought the other property.

Here’s the problem.

That transaction did qualify for a 1031 exchange. But because the steps weren’t structured properly ahead of time, the opportunity was gone.

The result?

Over $50,000 in unnecessary taxes.

But it didn’t stop there.

That large gain increased their income for the year, which directly impacts how Medicare premiums are calculated.

So now, on top of the tax bill, their Medicare premiums are nearly tripling for the next 12 months… adding another $10,000+ in costs they never saw coming.

All from one decision that wasn’t coordinated ahead of time.

This is the kind of ripple effect most people never get warned about. One move impacts taxes, which impacts income, which impacts healthcare costs, which impacts cash flow.

It’s not about blaming the realtor or any one professional. They each play an important role. But no single person is looking at the entire picture.

That’s where planning matters.

Before making big financial decisions, especially around real estate, taxes, or retirement income, it’s worth slowing down and making sure all the pieces are working together.

Because sometimes the most expensive mistakes aren’t bad decisions…

They’re decisions made without a full view of the consequences.

If you want to build wealth, don’t get caught up in the ups and downs of the market.

Focus on YOUR race. Make more. Spend less. Keep investing early and often.