John Lankford

Hi, I'm Dr. Jay. My wife and I are Childfree, and it has a big impact on how we structure our finances. I started Childfree Wealth because I know that most financial advice assumes you have kids, and I wanted our community to have access to financial planning that is designed to meet our unique needs. I grew up broke. No one taught me how to manage money. I earned my first million by the time I was 21, but without knowing how to manage and invest it, I’d spent it before I was 25. I know how hard it can be to manage your money, especially if you haven’t been taught the foundational principles of financial planning. I’m excited to share my knowledge with you to help you create a financial plan that supports the vision you have for your life. I’ve been a life and business coach for over a decade. I have a PhD in Adult Learning from the University of Connecticut, an MBA from SCSU, and I am a Fee-Only, Flat-Fee, Fiduciary; a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™; and a Childfree Wealth Specialist®. I’m also the author of the book Portraits of Childfree Wealth®, the upcoming book The Childfree Guide to Life and Money, and the co-host of the Childfree Wealth® podcast. Listen to Jay's podcast here: https://childfreewealth.buzzsprout.com/

James Below is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with experience since 1985 in assisting individuals and small businesses with wealth management. His expertise centers on helping plan sponsors manage and administer retirement plans, including 401(k), Profit Sharing, and Defined Benefit plans. He holds multiple professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™, Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist™, Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor®, Certified 401(k) Professional, Personal Investment Advisor, and Retirement Benefits Consultant. In addition, he serves as a Portfolio Manager, managing personalized investment strategies on a discretionary basis. Before his current role, Mr. Below founded Senergy Incorporated, a consulting firm focused on financing and developing energy-saving projects for commercial buildings. He attended the University of California at Berkeley and Humboldt State University, concentrating on economics and accounting. Mr. Below lives in Santa Rosa with his wife and two sons. He also dedicates time to volunteer work within the community. His personal interests include football, hiking, reading, and watching movies.