Holly Donaldson, CFP®, CEPS
Step by Step for DIY Investors | Advice-Only Planning | Fee-Only Fiduciary
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Serving Clients Nationwide
Step by Step for DIY Investors | Advice-Only Planning | Fee-Only Fiduciary
Areas of Focus
- Financial Life Planning
- Investment Management
- Real Estate Investing
- Retirement Planning
- Taxes
- Women & Wealth
About Holly Donaldson, CFP®, CEPS
Hi, I'm Holly Donaldson. Based in Gainesville, Florida, we serve clients throughout the United States seeking advice on a step by step basis.Our clients often come to us with important concerns on their mind.
▪️ “How do I not outlive my money?”
▪️ “How do I know if I'm on track?”
▪️ “It feels as though my financial life has been put together piecemeal.”
▪️ “I thought I was getting a relationship with a financial professional, but all I got was a transaction.”
▪️ “I’m going through a tough life transition and keep getting stuck.”
▪️ “I’m not sure my financial professional really understands my goals – or what I’m all about.”
▪️ "I'm really confused about how my taxes will change in retirement."
These are important concerns, worthy of serious answers. With over 30 years in financial services, as well as an M.B.A., a Masters in Economics and a Certified Financial Planner™ certification, I've built a practice of providing sophisticated planning spelled out in simple language.
I've been a featured speaker and trainer in diverse venues, from university classrooms to national conferences. Quoted in the Wall St. Journal, The Penny Hoarder column, InvestmentNews, Financial Advisor, Money, and More magazines, as well as Marotta on Money, Centsai.com, CNBC.com, and Headspace.com, my area of interest is the psychology of money and its effects on personal and professional relationships.
My book, The Mindful Money Mentality: How to Find Balance in Your Financial Future," was called “..a great addition to an advisor’s shelf, as well as a hugely valuable book for clients who are at a personal and financial crossroads” by NAPFA Advisor magazine. ↗️ Get the Book on Amazon
Our free monthly e-letter, “The View from the Porch,” has received Constant Contact's All Star award for reader retention and engagement in multiple years since 2012.
Prior to my current role, I spent 21 years in banking where I served as a Senior Vice President in Private Wealth Management. During my banking career, I was nominated by a client as a "Banker You'll Love" and featured in Inc. magazine.
Why I Became an Advisor
Growing up, I loved putting quarters and JFK half-dollars into my piggy bank. Whenever I asked my parents for something that they thought I should pay for, they would say, “Holly, if you want that, you know you can always break your piggy bank.” I hated that thought. Each time I thought about “breaking the bank” to buy something I wanted, I weighed it against what would happen to my piggy bank.
Although I didn’t realize it at the time, I was learning a powerful lesson about the value of choice. I was choosing my piggy bank over my latest spur-of-the-moment desire. I still wanted the latest toy the TV commercials put in front of me. But I wanted my piggy bank more.
Over time, my awareness of money evolved into an interest in economics: Piggy banks on a grand scale. I learned about the difference it made in individual lives when people chose wisely. And after many years of working with clients at a major commercial bank, I discovered my passion and ability to help people put all the important pieces of their financial lives on the table.
The value of choice is very important to me and to my clients. For me, choosing to be a Certified Financial Planner™ is how I commit to making a difference in my clients' lives.
Professional Designations
- Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS)
- Certified Elder Planning Specialist (CEPS)
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ®
Affiliations
-
Advice Only Network
- Fee Only Network
- National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
- Fee Only Network
Primary Location
Gainesville, FL 32607
Video
Meeting Options
- Video Conference
- Phone
Compensation Methods
- Fee Only
- Hourly Rate
- Offers Advice-Only Services
- One-time Financial Plan
What to expect in the first meeting
Click the 'Book Intro Call' button above to schedule an initial call. I find it is most helpful to offer an initial Zoom consultation so I can better understand your issues and concerns. After the call, we will both know whether there is a fit, or if it makes sense to schedule a project. We’ll chat about your needs, your goals, and what steps are right for you. I look forward to speaking with you.About Holly Donaldson Financial Planning, LLC
As a fully virtual financial planning practice now located in Gainesville, Florida, we continue to serve clients in Tampa Bay, throughout Florida and nationwide.At Holly Donaldson Financial Planning, LLC, we do not touch our clients’ money but help them strategize and integrate aspects of their personal finances. We sell no products other than our expertise, experience and creativity in helping our clients reach their goals.
Where are you now?
First, we begin by pulling together all the financial pieces of an individual’s life – or the life of a family or small business – as they exist today (insurance, pension, savings, investments, home, business, etc.)
Where do you want to be?
With a clear picture of where you are now, the next step is to help you identify specific and measurable goals, both personal and financial.
How will you get there?
With a baseline in place and your goals established, we work with you to put together a plan that best fits your unique needs.
The Process
Each client’s situation is different and it is important to ask how much risk is appropriate? What about taxes? How close are you to retirement? These and many other factors affect the planning process. Every person has a unique history, circumstances, and dreams. While the process of financial planning works for everyone, no two plans are ever the same.
The Master Chef?
A simplistic but useful way to look at the approach we take to working with clients is to see our work as similar to that of a professional chef.
We work with each client to plan a “menu” that includes the elements that are right for them.
Then we may select a proven “personal shopper” to find the very best of each item on the menu. One “shopper” might select the best bonds within the parameters we’ve specified. Another might identify mutual funds that best fit our specifications.
Sounds simple. But putting together exactly the right elements for each client takes the financial equivalent of – well – Julia Child.
Education
USF - College of Business Administration - M.A. Economics M.A., Economics; M.B.A., Finance and MIS | Davidson College, B.A., Economics
Hobbies and Interests
- Bird Watching
- Family
- Hiking
- Skiing
- Volunteering
- Walking
- Writing
SEC Lookup
View DisclosureWho We Serve
- Baby Boomers
- Corporate Executives
- DIY Investors
- Dual Income Family
- Engineers
- Families
- Gen X
- Government Employees
- Intergenerational Families
- Living in Retirement
- Real Estate Investors
- Scientists
- Single Women
- Women in Transition
- Women Professionals
- Women’s Finance
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What can I say about Holly??
Retirement demystified
Someone to help watch over me
Very helpful
Candid & Clear
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