Empowering People Through Financial Planning At its core, financial planning is about helping people use their resources to get the most from their time. Our financial planning process is designed to help you clarify what's most important and ensure your money is best aligned to support that vision. Knowing our goal is the compass that guides your financial path, but no direction is favorable until we know where we’re going. We operate a virtual office, providing a wealth management experience that emphasizes convenience, effectiveness, and flexibility for our clients. We'll help you feel more connected with your money and confident in your financial position. Let True North help guide you on life’s journey.

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.

Scott Cox is a Senior Financial Advisor based in Princeton, NJ, and serves as the business manager for the Barry Team at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined the Barry Team in 2008, bringing with him a decade of experience from Merrill’s Retirement Services group. Scott’s expertise includes servicing 401(k), pension, and stock option plans, providing a focused perspective on retirement and equity compensation strategies. Scott holds a Bachelor's degree and an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University, where he graduated cum laude. He holds the professional designations of Certified Equity Professional (CEP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Fluent in English and Spanish, Scott works with a variety of clients, including senior corporate executives, founders, business owners, and entrepreneurs across the United States. Residing in Whitehouse Station, NJ, Scott lives with his wife, Rishita, and their two daughters, Jiyana and Anaya. Outside of his professional role, he enjoys exercising, traveling, learning about different cultures, and is a fan of the New York Giants, Rangers, and Yankees.

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.

Vito Manno is a Planning Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2020. He has over two decades of experience in the financial industry, having held roles such as Retirement Education Specialist at Principal Financial Group from 2014 to 2020, Financial Advisor at Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. in 2014, Financial Advisor at NFP Advisor Services from 2006 to 2014, and Financial Consultant at AXA Advisors from 2003 to 2006. Vito holds a degree in Finance and possesses a California Insurance License. His approach focuses on building trust and developing relationships by listening carefully to clients' needs, goals, and concerns. He and his team aim to serve as dedicated financial confidants for their clients.