When should I start working with a financial planner?

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When should I start working with a financial planner?

Joann North

Answered By

Nicole C. Carson, CFP®, MBA

nicole@2ndstorywealth.com

 

Question:

When should I start working with a financial planner?

Answer:

Honestly, sooner than most people think. A lot of people assume they need to hit a certain income level, have a specific net worth, or “get everything together” first. But in my experience as a CFP®, the people who benefit the most are the ones who come in while things are still taking shape.

That could look like:

  • Your income is growing and you want to be more intentional about where it’s going
  • You’re navigating a life transition like marriage, a new baby, or starting a business
  • You’re earning well but still feel like you should be further along
  • You’re ready to invest but want to make sure you’re doing it right

Working with a financial planner isn’t just about managing money once you’ve built wealth. It’s about building the habits, systems, and strategy that help you create it in the first place. And as a woman, I see this all the time. We’re often doing a lot behind the scenes, supporting everyone else, making things work, but not always prioritizing our own long-term plan. You don’t need to have it all figured out to get started. You just need to be ready to be intentional about your next step.

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What is a common mistake women make with their finances?

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What is a common mistake women make with their finances?

Joann North

Answered By

Nicole C. Carson, CFP®, MBA

Question:

What is a common mistake women make with their finances?

Answer:

Waiting for certainty before taking action. Many women feel they need all the answers before moving forward. Progress usually comes from starting with the information you have and adjusting along the way.

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What’s the difference between a money coach and a financial planner or advisor?

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What’s the difference between a money coach and a financial planner or advisor?

Joann North

Answered By

Julia Shteynberg

 

Founder and Financial Coach at Keep It Simple Savings

julia@moneycoachjulia.com

 

 

Question:

What’s the difference between a money coach and a financial planner or advisor?

Answer:

Great question!

Think of it like this: a money coach helps you define what you want and design a money system that creates excess cash, so a financial advisor can then focus on investing it to grow your wealth.

A money coach helps you get clarity on your habits, your current numbers, and financial goals. The work focuses on mindset and intentional spending. It’s a space to figure out what you want your money to do and how to actually make it happen. A financial advisor typically focusing on the actual stock market investments like retirement accounts, mutual funds, etc.

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How does working with a woman financial advisor help me as a woman?

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How does working with a woman financial advisor help me as a woman?

Joann North

Answered By

Nicole C. Carson, CFP®, MBA

 

Founder and Financial Planner at 2nd Story Wealth Partners

nicole@2ndstorywealth.com

 

Question:

How does working with a woman financial advisor help me as a woman?

Answer:

Many women feel more comfortable working with a woman advisor because the conversation shifts from numbers only to the full picture of your life. Women often face unique financial realities pay gaps, caregiving roles, career breaks, longer life expectancy, and the emotional load of managing family priorities.

A woman advisor understands these experiences firsthand and creates space for honest conversations that you might not feel comfortable having elsewhere. You can talk openly about money stress, family dynamics, guilt around spending, or fears about the future without feeling judged. The planning process becomes more collaborative and supportive. It is not about pressure or jargon. It is about building a plan that fits your goals, your values, and your lived experience. Women advisors also tend to lead with education, clarity, and transparency.

You walk away understanding the why behind each recommendation, not just the what. That confidence is powerful. It helps you make decisions that support both your financial growth and your peace of mind.

 

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How can we build wealth when we feel so behind?

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How can we build wealth when we feel so behind?

Joann North

Answered By

Nicole C. Carson, CFP®, MBA

 

Founder and Financial Planner at 2nd Story Wealth Partners

nicole@2ndstorywealth.com

 

Question:

How can we build wealth when we feel so behind?

Answer:

You are not behind. Your path just looks different, and that’s okay.

Wealth building is not about timing the market or doing everything perfectly from the start. It’s about consistency, intention, and knowing your numbers.

Start by understanding where your money is going. Then, build an emergency fund to create stability. From there, invest regularly, even in small amounts, and protect what you’re building through smart insurance and estate planning.

For women especially, wealth is about empowerment. It’s about creating options for your life, your family, and your future self. Every dollar you save and invest is a step toward independence and peace of mind. At 2nd Story Wealth, I help women rebuild confidence in their financial story and remind them that it’s never too late to start the next chapter

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How long do I need to hold my RSUs to save on taxes?

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 How long do I need to hold my RSUs to save on taxes?

Joann North

Answered By

Bill Promes

Financial Planner at Austin Creek Capital

bill.promes@austincreekcapital.com

Question:

How long do I need to hold my RSUs to save on taxes?

Answer:

One of the most frequent questions that I get from clients is around RSUs and taxation: specifically, how long do I have to hold my shares after they vest for preferential tax treatment. The answer may surprise you: you can sell them immediately!

RSUs can be an amazing part of a compensation package. When your RSUs are granted, they may increase significantly in value before they actually vest. When they do vest, they are treated just like your cash compensation – your company will generally withhold some shares to cover the taxes and then deliver the remaining shares to you. If you then turn around and sell them the same day, there will be no further taxes due.

Confusion often arises from what happens if you hold the shares and they increase in value. In that case, you would be subject to taxes on the difference in value from when the shares vested to the value on the sale date — those are capital gains, and are treated favorably (a lower tax rate) if you hold them for more than a year.

One other note on taxes and RSUs: withholding on RSUs is at the supplemental rate of 22%, which means that many higher earners will not have enough taxes withheld and should make estimated tax payments so that they don’t have a surprise penalty at the filing date.

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