I joined Real Life Planning to mentor a new generation of real estate investors. We help real estate investors take practical steps to build financial freedom, create multiple sources of income, and make working for someone else optional. At Real Life Planning, we speak both real estate and financial planning. Whether you're adding to your properties, contemplating a 1031 exchange, listing your place on Airbnb, getting started as a landlord, or looking to buy a home overseas, we'll help you create a realistic plan for your financial life goals. As you build your investment property portfolio, we will help you plan to optimize taxes and diversify risks, manage total cash flow, and prepare for new opportunities. Our clients are - Rental property investors looking for a comprehensive financial plan - Professionals considering a real estate side hustle to create an additional source of income - People with inherited rental property - Homeowners maximizing opportunities for income - Americans looking to buy property overseas - Expats buying homes in the U.S. We're a Fee-Only fiduciary firm, so we work for you, not for Wall Street. That's why our fees are inclusive and transparent. My husband, Brian, and I live in Orlando, FL with our two young boys. I grew up watching my parents balance a W2 job, with steady income, a commission role, and managing a portfolio of real estate that included single family homes, multi-unit properties and an apartment complex. From that, I absorbed a mindset that there was more than one way to provide for yourself. That you could manage yourself and your time and that the idea of having multiple streams of income is a feasible strategy. A year after graduating from college, I purchased my first home, lived in one room and rented out another one of the rooms. From there the journey to create multiple sources of income began. Now, as the parents of 2 young boys, my husband, Brian, and I are trying to demonstrate the same entrepreneurial spirit to our boys as we manage our rental property and our peer-to-peer car sharing business. We are enjoying the journey and our experiences flow over into my work with clients as their financial coach and business coach. I have worked 17 years in the financial services industry. Real Life Planning works with clients virtually from anywhere. Interested in the real (estate) life? Book a discovery call today.

Welcome! I'm Cynthia Meyer, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, a real estate investor, financial planner, and real estate business coach. I founded Real Life Planning to mentor a new generation of real estate investors. We help real estate investors take practical steps to build financial freedom, create multiple sources of income, and make working for someone else optional. At Real Life Planning, we speak both real estate and financial planning. Whether you're adding to your properties, contemplating a 1031 exchange, listing your place on Airbnb, getting started as a landlord, or looking to buy a home overseas, we'll help you create a realistic plan for your financial life goals. As you build your investment property portfolio, we will help you plan to optimize taxes and diversify risks, manage total cash flow, and prepare for new opportunities. Our clients are - Rental property investors looking for a comprehensive financial plan - Professionals considering a real estate side hustle to create an additional source of income - People with inherited rental property - Homeowners maximizing opportunities for income - Americans looking to buy property overseas - Expats buying homes in the U.S. We're a Fee-Only fiduciary firm, so we work for you, not for Wall Street. That's why our fees are inclusive and transparent. My husband Steve and I have three kids and live in central NJ, in the NYC metro area. We are both first-generation real estate investors with small multifamily properties, single-family homes, and a small apartment complex. We invest out of state and use a property manager. A financial advisor since 1997, I founded Real Life Planning and co-founded the Real Estate Financial Coach Course, Real Estate For Generations, and the You Unlimited coaching program. Real Life Planning works with clients virtually from anywhere and in-person in the NYC area. Interested in the real (estate) life? Book a discovery call today.

Glenn Evans is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in providing personalized financial strategies to a diverse client base. His clients include corporate executives in pharmaceutical, technology, and real estate sectors, business owners, attorneys, medical professionals, widows, members of the LGBTQ community, and extended families across more than 20 states. Glenn’s approach centers on understanding each client’s unique goals and challenges, with an emphasis on planning-based wealth management and legacy strategies. Before joining Merrill, Glenn held senior corporate development and strategy roles at Fortune 500 companies and served as a mezzanine lender to middle market businesses. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s degree from Amherst College. Glenn’s professional credentials include the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC™) designation, and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA™) designation. He is an Advisory Member of the Association of African American Financial Advisors and serves as a Trustee of The Kappa Guide Right & Scholarship Fund of Montclair, supporting leadership development and scholarships for local high school seniors. In addition to his advisory work, Glenn contributes as a pro bono consultant to nonprofit organizations focused on arts and education and participates in the Harvard Business School Club of New York Community Partners Initiative. He resides in Livingston, New Jersey, with his daughter and enjoys activities such as biking, hiking, running, swimming, photography, music, genealogy, and traveling.

Tara Pardo is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, bringing three decades of experience in the financial services industry. She began her career at Goldman Sachs, where she served as Vice President of Equity Sales from 1992 to 2018. Following that, she was a Senior Relationship Manager at Lord Abbett from 2018 to 2022 before joining Fidelity in 2023. Throughout her career, Tara has focused on helping clients with wealth planning and financial strategies. She emphasizes collaborating with clients to create, implement, and monitor plans that align with their individual goals. Her work at Fidelity leverages the firm's resources to assist clients in making informed decisions for their financial futures.

Catherine Coleman is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She holds the designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and has earned a Bachelor's Degree from Montclair State University. Catherine focuses on assisting women and families in managing their financial affairs by simplifying complex financial matters and handling detailed aspects of financial management. Her approach is centered on providing clients with reliable support and fostering informed, empowered decision-making. Catherine aims to build trusted relationships that allow clients to feel confident and alleviate the day-to-day burdens of financial management.

Damon Matzek is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, focusing on helping successful individuals pursue their financial goals through personalized strategies. Damon emphasizes understanding his clients' needs and aspirations to develop tailored plans that aim to alleviate financial burdens and give clients back valuable time. Before entering financial services, Damon began his career in the Food and Hospitality Industry, where he gained experience working with diverse teams to deliver exceptional customer service. This background informs his approach to client relationships and service. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Columbia University and has earned professional designations including Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional life, Damon is an avid runner and spends time on the road pursuing this interest.

Matthew Duhaime is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments. In this role, he utilizes Fidelity's Relationship Model to identify clients' goals and concerns, assists in constructing retirement analyses, and collaborates with clients to build financial plans based on those analyses. Matthew has held various positions at Fidelity Investments, including Relationship Manager from 2024 to 2025 and Financial Representative from 2023 to 2024, as well as earlier experience as a Financial Representative at Fidelity in 2013-2014. Prior to his current tenure at Fidelity, he worked as a High Net Worth Consultant at TIAA from 2014 to 2017. He holds a California Insurance License. Outside of his professional duties, Matthew enjoys biking, hiking, music, running, skiing, and swimming.

Preksha Vijaywargi is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2020. She has experience in developing customized financial strategies tailored to individual client goals, emphasizing personalized conversations to understand client situations and provide transparency in decision-making. Her professional background includes roles as a Financial Advisor Trainee at Merrill Lynch in 2019, Senior Advance Wealth Manager at HSBC India from 2014 to 2018, and Premier Wealth Manager at HSBC India from 2012 to 2014. She holds a California Insurance License. Outside of her professional work, Preksha has interests in cooking and baking, social events with friends, movies, outdoor adventures, traveling, and yoga.

Christopher Marzella is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been in the financial services industry since 1998 and joined Merrill Lynch in 2012. He focuses on developing strategies and providing advice for individuals, their families, and their businesses by understanding their short- and long-term financial objectives. Chris has experience in helping clients manage concentrated stock positions and addressing challenges related to significant transition events such as retirement, inheritance, or the sale of a business. He also provides access to Bank of America for clients' commercial banking and financing needs and collaborates with clients' attorneys, accountants, and other advisors on estate planning services. Chris holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a High School Diploma/GED from Baruch College. Chris resides in East Brunswick with his wife, Lisa, and their two daughters, Nicolette and Alexandra.

Carol Cooperman is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position she has held since 2023. She has been with Fidelity since 2019, previously serving as an Investment Consultant from 2021 to 2023 and as a Financial Representative from 2019 to 2021. Carol focuses on helping individuals and families define and work toward their financial goals. She employs a consultative approach, partnering closely with clients to understand their priorities and deliver personalized financial planning. Her goal is to provide clients with financial peace of mind by guiding them through life changes toward their objectives.