Amanda Karaqi

Collecting coins, saving money in a piggy bank, questioning the cost of every single item, calculating investment returns, watching Maria Bartiromo on CNBC. This about sums up my childhood. Plus basketball..can't leave out basketball. Beautiful Westchester County, NY is the place I have been proud to call home for pretty much my entire life. I have been with my amazing wife Karen since freshman year in high school. 9th Grade! Yes, that is correct...since I am 14 years old. Some things in life are destined to be and for us, we both knew it right away. Having a soulmate is a real thing and I was lucky enough to find mine at a very young age. We have three beautiful and active (aka difficult) children that keep us on our toes ;) I always knew my life would be spent working in the Investing/Financial Markets profession. It is what I was born to do, but it was not a straight easy ride that led me to this point. There were a lot of highs and lows, a lot of leaps of faith, a lot of following our dreams, and a lot of uncertainty. We are the type of people that go for it in life. No regrets. We often choose the road less traveled...and that has made all the difference. I have a passion for helping people figure out their finances. I truly enjoy it. Not all people are wired to deal with personal finances, but the truth is it is super important to living a happy life. I want to find a way to help people that struggle with all this stuff. I did not start this business to only help people that are already well off. Offering education, YouTube videos, blogs, individual coaching, group coaching, on-line classes, and being a trusted fiduciary advisor is my vision for the School of Personal Finance. I don't have it all figured out yet, but I am on my way! I believe the coaching/financial planning piece is much more important than the actual managing of investment accounts for a majority of people. Yes, having the correct asset allocation and matching your risk profile is very important, but with the creation of low-cost index funds and the advances in technology, the need for a portfolio manager is becoming a thing of the past. But you know what will continue to be here forever? The need for personal financial advice, education, and guidance that is easily available and affordable for everyone. Please visit Richard's blog here: https://www.schoolofpersonalfinance.com/blog

A thoughtful guide and partner for your financial life. I believe your finances should support a life filled with meaningful experiences—and the most memorable moments are those we get to share. My work focuses on helping clients bring clarity, intention, and confidence to their financial decisions so they can live in alignment with what matters most. As your advisor, I’m here to help you organize your financial life, understand your options, and navigate each stage with clarity. When questions arise, you don’t have to sort through them alone—our partnership is built around ongoing communication, education, and support. Specialties * Small business owners, Company employees, Real Estate owners, Public Service & government workers. * Pensions, 401(k) plans & stock options, 403(b), 457 plans, Real Estate Investments, Small Business Company Retirement Plans. * Highly motivated savers that are in the Accumulation Phase of building their nest egg and/or family wealth.

I help pre-retirees and early retirees who need assistance making their money last in order to secure the retirement lifestyle they envision. By using a combination of comprehensive financial planning and investment management services I help my clients think through difficult financial tradeoffs and come up with solutions that provide peace of mind. If you are looking for someone you can trust to explain complicated financial issues in a clear way and want to delegate your investment program to a financial advisor, you’ve come to the right place. ★ WHAT MAKES ME DIFFERENT I was previously an art director at Money Magazine and Mutual Funds Magazine where I worked for nearly 12 years helping readers better understand personal finance topics. I am adept at making complex financial issues easy to understand, love solving problems, and skilled at keeping people on task to accomplish their goals. As a career changer and father of two teenage boys, I know what it takes to care for a family while simultaneously working toward achieving personal goals. I truly enjoy collaborating with my clients and helping them transition into their vision of a successful retirement. ★ SPECIALTIES • Retirement Planning • Portfolio Management • Approaching Retirement • Late-Career • Retirement Income Planning • Asset Allocation Strategies • Fund Selection • Ongoing investment monitoring • Life Transitions • Sudden Money Situations • Dealing with the loss of a spouse • Dealing with an Inheritance • Dealing with Stock Options • Help with 401(k) and IRAs • College Education Planning • Cash Flow Planning • Coordination with other professionals