Ben Gajardo

Hi! I’m Jen, fellow human and creator of Money Illustrated. I'm so grateful you're here! My journey into financial planning began while I was working as a self-employed artist & graphic designer; learning to manage my own finances and variable freelance income is what sparked my interest in understanding money better. This quickly became more than a side hobby, and eventually resulted in my making a career change to pursue an undergraduate degree in financial planning. I later went on to complete a graduate degree in Financial Planning & Analytics. In addition, I obtained the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation, am an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®), and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®). As a free-spirited, artsy feminist working in the financial planning industry over the years, I never quite fit into the old-school, male-dominated industry (very much in need of diversity and new perspectives). Eventually, I decided I needed to create the space I was searching for. I started Money Illustrated with the hope that I could bring my two worlds of art and financial planning together in order to create something different—an inclusive, progressive, and innovative approach that's both creative and human-centered. My goal is to always act in clients' best interest, while guiding toward financial success and educating on the intricacies of their financial situations. Overall, I want to help others feel empowered to live their dream lives. No matter what your financial background looks like, I’m here to offer a judgment-free approach that meets you where you are. Financial planning is a tool to help you build a life that feels like your own, focusing on your values, supporting your relationships, and prioritizing what truly matters most to you. Outside of personal finance, I love to hike in the nearby Rockies, tend to my plants, practice yoga, and paint. I live near Salt Lake City, Utah, with my wonderful partner, an exuberant dog, and two cuddly old cats.

I love all the cool and creative things that people are doing on the internet. One of my favorite things to do is spend time with my kids seeing what interesting and unique things people are doing online as influencers and content creators. As a Financial Advisor by training I knew that the career path of an online influencer or content creator was not like the traditional career path. After 9 years working and studying all things Financial Planning I decided to break out of the world of large investment houses and become a fully independent Personal Financial Advisor. I knew I could help online influencers and content creators with their unique challenges and situations. I knew I could help them live their life how they want and aligning their money with their dreams. Utilizing an academic and evidence based approach to investing and money management I am able to help ensure a prosperous and fulfilling life for all those that I work with. I’d love to get to know you and where you want to go in life. Don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation where we can get acquainted and discover what we can do together!

Since 2013 I’ve worked for wealth management firms providing financial planning for retirees and those who are close to retirement. Frustrated with the restrictions that come from working within a corporation, I decided to launch Retirement Advice. At Retirement Advice, I am able to provide clients with more flexibility and personability while still being their one-stop shop for all their retirement planning needs. Using modern technology and a network of partners, I am able to give my clients cost savings and expert advice backed by research. My clients can depend on me to be their investment fiduciary, 100% committed to putting their interests first. I seek to empower all of my clients with the confidence to retire early, and to retire well.

Neilson Hullinger is a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of The Hullinger Group. He collaborates closely with a team that collectively has nearly a century of advising experience. As a third-generation advisor, Neilson works alongside veteran professionals to provide clients with access to extensive industry knowledge and tailored financial planning. Neilson specializes in areas including family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. He holds degrees in Finance and Economics from Utah State University and maintains professional designations as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional role, Neilson is involved in community activities such as missionary service. He also has a personal interest in sports and spending time with his family, enjoying activities like boating, baseball, basketball, camping, fishing, football, golfing, hiking, and ice hockey.

Jeffrey Rasband is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in creating personalized financial strategies tailored to clients’ individual goals, helping them navigate diverse areas such as divorce transition planning, family wealth management, retirement income, legacy planning, philanthropic planning, and portfolio management services. His approach integrates insights from Merrill’s investment expertise along with banking and lending solutions from Bank of America. Jeffrey holds a Bachelor's Degree from Brigham Young University and has earned multiple professional designations, including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He has experience serving defined benefit plans and small business financial strategies, emphasizing long-term, client-centered financial planning. In addition to his professional work, Jeffrey has a history of community involvement. He served as the Wasatch Chapter Chair for the Mule Deer Foundation from 2007 to 2017 and currently participates in activities with the Midway Boosters.