Stuart Spencer

I'm a fiduciary & CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER living in Indianapolis, Indiana but serving clients nationwide. For years I've helped individuals and families plan for retirement and other imporant financial decisions. In college, I studied economics with a concentration in finance. After college, I worked for large wealth management firm in Indiana and then a boutique financial advising office specializing in retirement planning. That firm was later acquired and after a few years working for the acquiring firm I left to start WealthGuides. As an advisor I've worked with clients age 22 to 92. While I've worked with a wide range of people, I've always found my passion was with working with people to create a plan for retirement. As an advisor I provide guidance to my clients on taxes, their investment portfolios, estate planning, & charitable giving amongst others areas. I show people where they can save on taxes and I give clarity and strategies for how my clients can maximize the potential for what they can spend on themselves and give to others. On the personal side I'm a runner, a reader, a cat dad, and a traveler. I also enjoy sipping on a nice glass of wine or whiskey.

I’m a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and owner of Elevation Financial, a fee-only financial planning and investment management firm serving progressive SRI/ESG investors. I work with individuals and families who are ready to gain greater control over their money and build a life with intention. I create a judgment-free space that empowers my clients to talk openly about their financial challenges, which can help form healthier relationships with money. I’ve been an entrepreneur for over two decades and have built and sold multiple businesses, including a digital marketing agency, a software company, and other service businesses. As a result of my business background, I often help my clients with similar challenges, including starting a business, or building and optimizing a business. I am tech-forward and highly organized. Many of my clients appreciate this because I am able to help them get organized with their money while providing accountability to help them make progress. Ultimately by working together we will help you make better money decisions, avoid costly detours, and lead a more fulfilling life. I host a weekly personal finance podcast called Wealth Redefined® which can be found whenever you listen to podcasts. I'm a sushi lover, Star Trek nerd and firmly in defense of one space after a period. In addition to comprehensive financial planning, I have some specific areas of deeper expertise. My areas of specific expertise - Socially Responsible Investing / ESG / Impact Investing - Entrepreneurship and mentoring business owners - Financial therapy and helping my clients develop healthier relationships with money - Budgeting and cash flow management - Helping my clients maintain responsible exposure to digital assets / cryptocurrency Credentials - CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) - Chartered SRI Counselor™ (CSRIC®) - Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) - DACFP Certificate in Blockchain and Digital Assets® - Certified Financial Therapist - Level I™ Superpowers - Trying 17 different apps to solve a problem and then using none of them - Choosing the perfect stock photo for any occasion Kryptonite - Losing all ability to type when someone is watching Read Michael's blog here: https://www.elevationfinancial.com/blog

I thrive on guiding clients onto the right path and helping them navigate a smooth transition into a successful retirement. If you are struggling with questions such as: -I'm tired of working, but can I afford to retire now? -I have a pension that gives me a lump sum option. What should I do? -When should I start taking Social Security? -Most of my savings is in a retirement account that will be taxed when I withdraw from it. Is there a way to pay less in taxes? -How should I invest to protect myself during a financial crisis while still growing my portfolio enough to maintain my lifestyle or meet my income needs? Personal: I'm a recent Pickleball convert and devotee! My family and I are avid travelers and foodies. If I could visit one place again and again, it would be Granada, Spain. I don't think I would ever tire of sitting by the river, sipping wine, munching on tapas, and looking up at the magnificent Alhambra.

My passion for deep client relationships and my mission of empowering people to take control of their financial circumstances stems from my personal experiences growing up. As a 3rd generation business owner, I have experienced first-hand the implications of what it can mean to a family that does and, more importantly, does not take the proper steps to ensure financial independence. In 2007, I started my own journey as a business owner into the financial services industry with a deep desire to give people confidence in their financial strategies and the clarity to help them make important financial decisions that will affect their family’s future. Clients have chosen to work with me because they are confident in knowing that they have a trusted advocate and advisor who genuinely cares about their success, goals, and progress in life. I graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay with a Bachelor of Science degree. Being a life-long learner and student of this profession, I have satisfied the rigorous educational, ethical, and experience requirements to be a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner. I live in Westfield, IN with my wife Andrea (a practicing optometrist) and our daughters Brooklyn & Courtney. Outside of work, I enjoy anything involving general aviation and spending time with my family and friends. I serve on the board of stewardship and am an active member of Advent Lutheran Church in Zionsville, IN. An accomplished marathoner, I am a proud finisher of multiple Boston Marathons and enjoy the challenge, discipline, and rewards of running marathons.

Samuel Smith is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in assisting clients through career transitions and the unique financial considerations they entail. He works closely with professionals who have recently changed jobs, providing tailored financial strategies that address new compensation packages, retirement account management, and employer benefits optimization. His approach emphasizes creating personalized financial roadmaps aligned with clients' evolving career goals and long-term aspirations. Samuel's areas of expertise include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy and philanthropic planning, liquidity management, retirement income, and portfolio management services. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Samuel earned his bachelor's degree from Indiana State University and is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Indianapolis. Outside of his professional work, Samuel enjoys baseball, basketball, football, spending time with his family, and watching movies. He is a proud father of two boys and a husband, committed to helping clients achieve their financial goals through disciplined, client-focused service.