Michelle Vargas, Certified Financial Planner™ is the President of Waymaker Financial Planning, a Fee-Only planning and investment management firm in Fort Worth, Texas. She focuses on helping Christian women make smart money decisions, especially those in transition to retirement, widowhood, and managing wealth for the first time. Her goal is to help all clients successfully navigate their financial life so that they will be worry free and spend more time doing what they love.
After earning a degree in Finance from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1990, she moved to Orlando, Florida and started her career with Harcourt Brace Publishing. Her journey into personal finance began when she enrolled in her 401K and wanted to learn about additional options to plan for retirement. Not many advisors were willing to help her with her 401K choices, and none offered a written financial plan. In 1994 she left Harcourt Brace Publishing and became licensed to work as a Financial Advisor. In 1998, she completed the rigorous education and experience requirements to become a CFP.
With over 9 years of professional experience as a financial advisor, she daily strives to make the complex simple when advising clients. She often remembers what the experience was like when she was young and looking for an advisor. This memory enables her to be sensitive and patient in all of her interactions. Education is also an important component of her practice, and she has been quoted by CBS News, Yahoo Finance, and MSN.
She and her husband live in Fort Worth, and they have an amazing son Andrew. He is a Young Steinway Artist in graduate school at Texas Christian University. When her son was younger, she was very active in the homeschool community and served as a director, teacher, and support group leader. Her proudest accomplishments are persevering in homeschooling through high school and founding Waymaker Financial Planning.
In her spare time, she enjoys walking through the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens to get inspired to make her own garden more beautiful. Spring is her favorite time of year and she loves exploring backroads filled with beautiful fields of Texas Bluebonnets. Occasionally, when her adventurous side kicks in, she goes white water rafting - with an experienced guide, of course!
Waymaker Financial Planning serves Christian women in all seasons of their lives. We also work with Christian men who are looking for a trusted female CFP so that their wives can begin to learn about family finances now instead of later in a time of grief. We work as Fiduciaries at all times and are Fee-Only Advisors. Our practice is mostly virtual, but we are available for in-person meetings as needed.
General Information |
| Firm Start Year: | 2020 | |
| No. of Employees: | 1 | |
| Name of Custodial Firm: | SEI, Altruist, Schwab |
| Number of Years with Current Firm: | 4 |
| Work Experience: | I have over 9 years of professional experience advising clients. I love helping families make wise financial decisions and simplify their finances so that more time is freed up to do what they enjoy. I have worked for other large advisory firms, but what I value most at Waymaker Financial Planning is that I am independent, and there are no proprietary funds, which minimizes conflicts of interest. I work as a Fiduciary for my clients at all times. |
| Work with the following types of clients: | Individual Investors |
| Advisory Services Provided: | Financial Planning, Investment Advice & Management, Financial Advice & Consulting, Wealth Management, Risk Management, Financial Planning for Individuals, Portfolio Management, Retirement Planning, 401K Rollovers, Money Management |
Services |
| Investment Types: | Mutual Funds, Bonds, Stocks, Annuities, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Socially Responsible Investments (SRI) |
| Can meet clients in the following ways: | Video Conference |
Compensation and Fees |
| Fee Structure: | Fee-Only |
| Compensation Methods: | Hourly, Flat Fee, Based on Assets |
| Fee % Based on Assets: | .75 to 1% |
| Hourly Rate: | 250 |
| Additional Details on Charges: | One-Time Financial Plans - Typically $3750. Increases with complexity. Ongoing Financial Planning - Typically $1500 per quarter. Increases with complexity. Limited Scope Plans - Available for 1 or 2 subject areas. |
| Minimum Fee Charged for Hourly Planning Accounts: | $500 |
Education |
| Bachelor of Science - Finance | University of Louisiana
- Lafayette 1985-1990 |
| CFP Professional Education Program - Financial Planning | College for Financial Planning
- Denver, CO 1996-1998 |
Financial Services |
| Financial Planning for Individuals
Your financial life is a giant puzzle! When making financial decisions, it is important to study how the decision impacts all the areas of your financial life. Investments are important, but so are Risk Management, Taxes, Retirement, and Estate Planning. Managing your wealth is not a one-time event. It is an ongoing process that seeks to make small improvements over time. These small improvements may lead to better outcomes, financial clarity, and financial peace of mind. |
| Portfolio Management
We take the time to understand what is really important to you before we construct your portfolio. We will take the time to understand your past investment experience, tolerance for risk, and your short-term and long-term needs. You will understand what you are investing and we promise to talk in plain English! We will review your portfolio with you at least once a year and monitor your progress toward your goals. |
| Retirement Planning
How much is enough? When is work optional? How can I minimize taxes in retirement? These are some of the questions we will help you figure out once you become a client of Waymaker Financial Planning. |
| 401K Rollovers
401K Rollovers are a big decision, and we help you evaluate the best place to keep this money. There are no cookie-cutter answers. We promise to do what is truly best for you and work with all of our clients as Fiduciaries. |
| Annuities
We help our clients determine whether annuities are the right fit for their portfolio. This is done with extreme care due to the higher fees associated with this type of account. However, sometimes they make sense for risk-averse clients who want to lock in a fixed return or who need a guaranteed stream of income. As a Fiduciary, we will help you make the wisest decision. |
| Tax Advice and Services
It is not always about what you make, but what you keep. We help our clients pay their fair share of taxes, and not one penny more! We will consider the tax ramifications of your retirement withdrawal strategies to ensure your finances are optimized. |
| Estate Planning & Trusts
Estate planning and transferring wealth gets complicated as wealth increases. We are not attorneys, but we can help you begin to think of issues to talk to your attorney about. We will also review your beneficiary designations from time to time to ensure your wishes are being followed. |
| Risk Management
Risk Management is an area that can not be ignored. We take the time to minimize and mitigate risks as much as possible. Waymaker Financial Planning will point out and help you address any potential threats that could blow up your financial plan! |
FAQs |
Do you have a customer satisfaction or refund policy?Yes, for financial planning services, we will work with you to make sure you are satisfied. |
Why should I choose you as my financial advisor?I promise always to listen and do what is best for you. I will help you to always focus on the future and what you an do to move the needle the most. I am organized and can help you get things done! |
What are your qualifications? What is your education background?I am a CFP® with over 9 years of professional experience advising clients. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. |
How do you charge for your services?I charge a percentage of assets for Investment Management. For Ongoing and Limited Scope Financial Planning, I charge a fixed flat fee based on complexity. |
How are you compensated? How will I pay for your services?I am a Fee-Only Advisor. This means that NONE of my compensation is paid by commissions or by selling products. We are only compensated by our clients. My fees are transparent and posted on my website, https://waymakerfp.com/services-and-fees. |
Disclosures |
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WiserAdvisor provides referrals to financial professionals. WiserAdvisor is not a current client of advisor or advisory services. Financial professionals pay cash compensation for these referrals, which creates the incentive for WiserAdvisor to make these referrals, resulting in a conflict of interest. |
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Additional Detailed Disclosures |
Disclaimer |
| Waymaker Financial Planning, LLC is an Investment Advisor registered with the State of Texas. All views, expressions, and opinions included in this communication are subject to change. This communication is not intended as an offer or solicitation to buy, hold or sell any financial instrument or investment advisory services. Any information provided has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee the accuracy, or the completeness of, any description of securities, markets, or developments mentioned. We may, from time to time, have a position in the securities mentioned and may execute transactions that may not be consistent with this communication's conclusions. Please contact us at (817) 935-0825 if there is any change in your financial situation, needs, goals or objectives, or if you wish to initiate any restrictions on the management of the account or modify existing restrictions. Additionally, we recommend you compare any account reports from WFP with the account statements from your Custodian. Please notify us if you do not receive statements from your Custodian on at least a quarterly basis. Our current disclosure brochure, Form ADV Part 2, is available for your review upon request, and on our website, www.waymakerfp.com. This disclosure brochure, or a summary of material changes made, is also provided to our clients on an annual basis. |
Registered Investment Advisor:
Yes
Investment Advisor Representative:
Yes
Acknowledged fiduciary:
Yes
Compliance Disclosures in Last 5 years:
I have a clean record
Criminal Disclosures in Last 5 years:
I have a clean record
| Mon. | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Tue. | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Wed. | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Thu. | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Fri. | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, Crowley, Azle, Benbrook, Burleson, Keller, North Richland Hills, Lewisville, Denton, Westlake, Westover Hills, Plano, McKinney, Flower Mound, Aubrey, Allen, Carrolton, |
| Bank Transfer |
Retirement Expert Says Too Many Americans .....
When: 12/28/2023
Details:Retirement Expert Says Too Many Americans Are Withdrawing from Their 401(k) Accounts: Here's What To Do Instead
First Things First Michelle M. Vargas, a Certified Financial Planner at Waymaker Financial Planning, emphasizes that cashing out a 401(k) is akin to robbing one's future self. "By cashing out or even taking a partial withdrawal, money is taken out of long-term retirement investments, and it can't grow," she says. "Some may think that these small withdrawals don't make a difference, but every dollar that is not growing today is less money towards your future retirement income." She says the first thing you need to do is examine your monthly expenditures by writing them down. "Eliminate fluff," she advises. "Write down a revised spending plan without fluff and hold yourself accountable." ...more
3 Money Moves To Make While Rates Are Higher
When: 07/27/2023
Details:Build your emergency fund:
If you don't already have a fully-stocked emergency fund, now is the time to start saving. With savings accounts rates as high as they are today, interest can help you reach your savings goal faster. Michelle M. Vargas, CFP, president of Waymaker Financial Planning recommends you "always make sure that you have cash for emergencies equal to at least 6 months of your living expenses in a high-yield savings account." Using a high-yield savings account can help guarantee that you have access to your money when you need it while also allowing regular contributions to increase your balance. And, of course, you'll benefit from high interest rates ranging upward of 4.5% to even 5% APY. An emergency fund can help safeguard you against any unexpected expenses or income losses. Using your living expenses as a starting point is a good way to ensure you can make necessary payments even if a crisis hits. "You will sleep a lot better at night knowing that you have this taken care of!" Vargas says. Start comparing high-yield savings account options and save more today. ...more
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