
Sara Stanich, CFP®, CDFA®, CPWA®
Design Your Next Chapter
Wealthtender Community Connect helps people discover the best financial advisors for their individual needs through their favorite blogs and podcasts.
Click Here to Learn MoreWealthtender Community Connect helps people discover the best financial advisors for their individual needs through their favorite blogs and podcasts.
Click Here to Learn MoreServing Clients Nationwide
Design Your Next Chapter
Montauk, NY, 11954
Yes
NYU Stern School of Business, MBA, Marketing, Finance | New York University, BA, German, European Studies
To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn a nominal monthly fee from financial advisors and firms in exchange for marketing services (including being featured on this profile page), subject to terms of use. This compensation creates a natural conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others. Wealthtender is not a client of these advisors or firms. Testimonials may not be representative of other clients’ experiences and do not guarantee future performance or success.
By clicking submit, you acknowledge this review is based on your own experience and reflects your genuine opinion. You also agree to our review policy, privacy policy, and terms and conditions, and give this financial advisor permission to publicly display your review on their website.
I reached out to Sara during a career transition, looking for a clear, unbiased view of my financial situation and mid- to long-term outlook. CW’s assessment was thoughtful and thorough, and I’ve continued working with them ever since. Sara and her team are responsive, honest, and genuinely caring. They’re always happy to answer my questions and take the time to walk me through their reasoning. I’m very glad I found CW—and only wish I’d found them sooner.
We've been clients for just over a year and it's been transformational for us. Liz and Caroline have given us a framework to wrap our heads around our finances and set goals, and clear direction to start meeting them. They are great communicators, dispensing thoughtful advice calmly and with empathy. They're also absolutely trustworthy and a pleasure to work with. Can't recommend Sara and her team at Cultivating Wealth highly enough.
I have been working with Sara and her team since 2018, but I met her during my divorce some years prior to that. At a difficult time in my life, in mediation meetings, I found her to be smart, and a calm voice with good judgment. So I reached out to her later to advise me. She has given me good counsel, with thoughtfulness and consideration and no judgment about the many things that I did not understand. She has a great team, each of them have a particular area of expertise, so they can explain and provide structure to a process that I found intimidating and quite overwhelming. Very happy to have crossed paths with her 10 years ago!
We have worked with Sara and her team for several years and have had a fantastic experience. Sara’s team has helped us navigate both good times and a significant family emergency, and I always found the advice thoughtful and measured. I strongly recommend the Cultivating Wealth team as trusted advisors.
Our experience with Cultivating Wealth took us to a new level of managing our finances. Each time we meet we move to a new level insight. The team of advisors takes time to know us personally and respond as our big picture evolves. We are grateful for their help.
I wanted to offer a big thank you to Liz from Cultivating Wealth. I have been working with Liz for the past three years. From day one, I have found her and Rebecca to be extremely helpful and constructive in their guidance. Liz has the ability to explain complicated ideas and to break down financial concepts in such a way that I can both understand what is being suggested and also follow through on those suggestions. Whenever something financial comes up, I immediately send Liz an email and always receive a timely response. Simultaneously, I am offered a meeting if necessary. Ultimately my trust in the Cultivating Wealth crew enables me to breathe easy and proceed with my financial goals and plans.
Sara and the team have been extremely helpful for the last 7 years. As someone who is skeptical of financial advisors putting their clients interest first vs their own enrichment as advisors, we've found the relationship to be in line with what our expectations were. We never feel like we're asking dumb questions and time is always taken to explain a concept that we might not be familiar with. They are always available to field questions around the financial impact of life changes, decisions or investment opportunities. Sara and team have also brought other resources to us that help complete a bigger picture of our assets and their management by introducing trusted tax & estate professionals. Our overwhelmingly positive experience has also allowed us to recommend with confidence their services to friends and family (many of which are also now clients). The team is great!
We have been working with Sara and her team for over 10 years now and their work has been outstanding—knowledgeable, trustworthy, and always focused on our goals. They make complex topics easy to understand and give us confidence in our financial future. What I value most is their honesty and commitment—they truly have our best interests at heart. We highly recommend them!
We've worked with Sara and her team for over three years now. They are always quick to respond to questions and requests, and to walk us through challenging decisions. We're probably at the lower end of the income bracket served by Cultivating Wealth, but we've always felt supported right where we are. Under their watch, our wealth has grown steadily, even through challenging times. They are blunt and realistic, but humane. They are alert and flexible, and pivot as needed. Thank goodness we have them on our side. Highly recommended.
About 3 years ago I was looking down the barrel of the biggest, scariest-ever change in my life. I was afraid to do what I needed to do because the financial unpredictability paralyzed me. I needed a compassionate, financial thought-partner. I needed someone who would work with me at sea level - take a hard look at my expenses and income - but who could also plan big-picture and long term. I needed someone who would be patient with my need to swing wildly between big decisions, because the stakes were high. I needed someone who would look at my money not as an opportunity to expand her fund, but as the limited resource it is to ensure my and my child's health and happiness. From our first meeting I knew Sara was that person. She and her team proved to be consistent, reliable, creative, compassionate and most importantly successful. We plotted every possible scenario together. She helped me see not only that I could make this change, but how. Thanks to Sara and her team, I did I what I needed to do, and now I feel more empowered financially than I ever have in my life.
I met Sara in 2016 seeking guidance on a milestone financial decision. I was considering a corporate early retirement and buyout after a 30 year career. I did not know where to begin to assess the long term value of the offer vs letting go of a big salary. Her pragmatism, clarity and confidence were winners for me. In these 9+ years I'm pleased with the funds performances knowing I am fortunate to be with Cultivating Wealth. But it's never been just business. Sara and her team are colleagues and friends. They do not know the word "no" for any question or request for support. Both of our daughters have retirement accounts here too. It's a family affair!
I always found discussing personal financial information very intimidating, but Sara, Hana, and her team make you feel capable and supported. Their knowledge and guidance are extremely thorough, realistic, and reassuring. I appreciate the depth in which they examine your financials and create a well thought out personalized plan to right the ship, as needed, and position you to achieve your future goals. I also appreciate their effort to reach out to their client base, and meet face to face in this age of distant digital communication. It's nice to have the convenience of regular online meetings to touch base, but to also know that the advice is coming from knowledgeable, genuine, trustworthy, and caring individuals. I feel like my family and our money is in very good hands!
I've been working with Liz for five years now, and I have made so many big, financial decisions with her help--I've sold a house, bought another, sold a different one, have had to decide what our budget is, what we can afford and can't, what is a responsible financial decision and not--every time I have needed help making one of these decisions, I've been able to talk things through with Liz--and talk them through again. Then, there is all the investing help too! Ever since I started working with Liz, I've felt confident financially in ways I have never before, and it has put me at ease--that I am never alone in any of this, and there is someone kind, patient, and financially astute who is making sure that my money is being taken care of through pandemics and other crises in the markets. So grateful!
My husband and I have been happily working with Sara for well over a decade. We now work with Liz as well, who is also outstanding. This is a very smart and capable team. They’re super responsive and always get back to us quickly whenever we reach out. And to top it all off, they’re very nice people! They have helped us navigate the financial aspects of many major life transitions - having children, buying our first home, changing jobs, and starting businesses. In an era of great economic uncertainty, it makes me feel so much better to know that our money is in good hands with Sara and Liz. I highly recommend them!
I've been working with Sara since 2014. As an immigrant unfamiliar with the financial landscape here, I needed someone I could trust to guide me through important decisions. Sara and her team have done exactly that, helping me invest in a way that aligns with my comfort level while achieving results that I would have not been able to do on my own. As my daughter approaches college age, I'm especially grateful for the support and expertise that Sara and Caroline provide in helping me plan for her education. Their guidance has been invaluable every step of the way. I highly recommend Cultivating Wealth.
If I could give Sara 10 stars I would. I’ve been a client for over a decade, and not only is she an amazing and wise Financial Advisor, she is also an important guiding presence in my life, who is always available to help me with decisions about everything from home buying to jobs to healthcare. Sara and her team have never steered me wrong and I trust them beyond measure. Sara will meet you where you are and guide you where you want to go. But, if you’re reading this, the main thing you’re probably wondering is: Will she help my money make money? Yes, yes she will!
If you decide to become a client of Sara's, it will be the best decision you can make. She is knowledgeable, intelligent, she hears what you're saying, and she listens to what you need. She gives excellent guidance. She always follows up, and she releases excellent updates based on current economic situations/items in the news that might cause you concern. Sara is also a kind and caring person which makes her so very good at her “job” - makes me feel safe and that every thing is going to work out. I trust her explicably now for probably more than 20 years.
I would very highly recommend Cultivating Wealth as financial advisors! From our initial meeting with Sara and Hana, it was clear that they were going to be very thorough in their approach to help us with our individual goals and address our concerns. We've had regular Zoom meetings every few months,, and the returns on our investment have actually been greater than we expected! On top of the excellent financial planning, they’ve provided invaluable advice on the college application process, which has been incredibly helpful for us with our rising high school senior. And as a bonus, they host fantastic social networking events with excellent refreshments – it's a great way to connect with other clients! Working with Cultivating Wealth has truly been a life-changing experience. We feel we have a financial safety net and incredible advisors guiding us on crucial aspects of our lives and future.
Working with Sara has been an outstanding experience for my husband and me since 2012. Her guidance has been invaluable in every aspect of our financial lives, especially when it came to planning for our retirement. She consistently goes above and beyond, demonstrating a deep understanding of our goals and a genuine commitment to our success. Sara's advice is always well-researched, clear, and tailored to our specific needs. She has helped us navigate major life events with confidence and peace of mind. Her ability to explain complex financial concepts in a simple, understandable way is truly remarkable. What sets Sara apart is her proactive approach and unwavering dedication. She doesn't just react to market changes; she anticipates them, keeping us informed and prepared. We feel incredibly fortunate to have her as our financial advisor and highly recommend her to anyone seeking expert, trustworthy financial guidance. She's not just an advisor; she's a partner in our financial journey.
I have been with this group for a number of years and happy to say they are dedicated to the needs of their client. Always an open line of communication and quick to respond to any of my concerns. Sara has helped navigate me through market challenges, providing useful advice on a specific financial decision. I am more than pleased with the way my portfolio has been handled. A dynamic group of ladies that go above and beyond to make me feel comfortable with my future financial goals.
As any small business owner can tell you, the financial health and well-being of your company is inextricably linked to that of your personal finances. Sara and her team are extremely adept at providing us with the right guidance and recommendations for every aspect of our business and personal finances. They are unfailingly patient and helpful, and ew never need to wonder if they have our best interests at heart (they always do). We can't recommend Cultivating Wealth enough.
I initially hired Cultivating Wealth to perform a one-time comprehensive assessment of my financial health--investments, estate planning, taxes, liability, etc. At the time my investments were being handled by a large bank with whom I'd been working for many years and I was hesitant to change that. But I was so impressed by the work my team at Cultivating Wealth did that I shifted my investments into their care within 6 months of our working together. Truly, I feel very fortunate to have them looking after my finances. They have taken the time to get to know me, my past and my present, and they have helped me immeasurably as I plan for the future. Remarkably, in early 2024, when surgery on my dominant hand made it impossible for me to gather the tax materials on my computer, one of my Cultivating Wealth advisors actually came to my home and sat with me for 3 hours, working on my laptop to gather the necessary documents. That's the kind of personal attention I know I would never have gotten from a larger firm. I am so grateful!
I’ve had an excellent experience working with Sara and Rebecca. They are dependable, always following through on commitments and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. They are responsive, promptly returning calls and emails, which gives me confidence that my needs are a priority. Most importantly, they truly listen to my thoughts and goals, taking the time to understand my perspective before offering well-considered advice. I feel supported, informed, and confident in the financial decisions we make together. I highly recommend their services.
They go beyond reporting to you about your financial situation. They develop a thorough perspective on what matters to you in developing a financial situation for your unique life. They help me keep on top of important concerns that I might never think about, or would forget, or wouldn't fully understand. I am so grateful to Sara and her colleagues for giving me peace of mind when I need to see the forest through the trees!
Sara and her team are extremely knowledgeable about the financial details. They are insightful in answering questions, and they will do the research if they don't know. It's important to know that they do the foundational things well. But what separates Sara and the Cultivating Wealth team is the time they take to get to know you, your life situation (including challenges and accomplishments), and the level of interest and anxiety you have around your finances. When I've needed them, they've been there -- quick to respond with advice or opinions. Most of all, they have made me feel seen, known, and cared for. Ultimately, isn't that what it's all about?
Sara and her team have been amazing since the first time we met, making us feel very safe during the whole process. They have been very open and accommodating to our specific needs. Extremely efficient and knowledgeable, and always available to discuss whatever comes up.
From our very first meeting in 2011, I knew I had found the right financial advisor in Sara Stanich and the team at Cultivating Wealth. This women-owned firm is not only exceptionally knowledgeable but also deeply committed to empowering clients to make informed, confident decisions about their money. Sara took the time to understand my goals, explain options to achieving my goals in a way that was easily understandable and helped me create a tailored investment strategy that has helped me achieve my financial goals. The plan we created together was personalized and adjusted as my goals and needs changed. Sara's professionalism is matched by genuine warmth and integrity. I’ve never felt rushed, pressured, or overlooked—every interaction has been thoughtful and personalized. She and the entire Cultivating Wealth team take a proactive approach in keeping me updated on what's happening in the market. They are quick to answer my questions, and are always looking for opportunities to help my investments grow while protecting my financial security. It’s rare to find a firm that blends expert knowledge with a strong human, client-centered approach. I trust them completely, and I can honestly say my financial future feels brighter and more secure because of their guidance. If you’re seeking a financial adviser who will truly be your advocate, this is the team you want by your side.
I have been a client of cultivating wealth for several years now. Its been an absolute pleasure working with them. Whenever the market has gone sideways I dont have to worry. I know my money is safe and will ride out any storm. Plus an email or phone call comes easing my mind about that current situation. Returns have been consistent and I know as a fiduciary financial advisor, they have my interests in their overall financial plan. I highly recommend Cultivating wealth.
I started working with Cultivating Wealth’s founder during a sad and stressful divorce when I had little knowledge of investing and all of the issues related to planning for retirement. Over the past 14 years, I have learned a lot through our meetings and their clear presentations and have benefited from their guidance. I highly recommend their financial services.
We Want Your Voice to be Heard
Wealthtender exists to help people discover trusted and authentic financial professionals and educators who may be a good fit based on their unique needs and circumstances.
Your honest reviews help people decide which financial professionals and educators may be best suited to their individual needs.
The majority of people trust reviews as much as personal recommendations, so what you write in your review should reflect your own opinion and experience.
Tips for Writing a Helpful Review
Be descriptive. Instead of just saying what you like or dislike, share why. What have you enjoyed most or least about your experience with the provider? Have they helped you overcome a difficult financial challenge or strengthened your knowledge about particular money matters? The more details, the better!
Be honest. Your rating and review should reflect your actual experience.
Stay relevant. Ensure your review is helpful to others by avoiding off-topic discussions or personal opinions not relevant to your direct experience.
Make your review easy to read. Reviews should be readable to others. Use proper grammar, avoid excessive capitalization or punctuation, and be sure to check your spelling.
Be yourself. Don’t post as, or pretend to be, someone else, and do not say you’re associated with a person or organization with which you are not.
Be nice. Don’t write abusive, hateful, threatening, or harassing content. Avoid personal threats, hate speech, obscenities, or inflammatory language.
Respect the privacy of others. Don’t post information that can be used to identify another individual or compromise their privacy.
Report abuse. Thank you for helping us ensure reviews on Wealthtender are helpful to everyone. If you suspect possible violations of our guidelines or believe a review is inappropriate, please email support@wealthtender.com with a link to the provider’s profile, indicating the review in question and the reason you believe it violates our guidelines.
➡️ Are you reviewing a financial advisor? Learn more about Certified Advisor Reviews.
Disclaimers
Wealthtender reserves the right to remove reviews that violate its guidelines and/or regulations issued by the Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, FINRA, and other regulatory agencies. Further, financial advisors are subject to individual firm policies and rules prescribed by federal and state regulators that may result in reviews being removed, not published, or potentially modified upon the documented request submitted by an advisor, compliance officer, or other firm professional to maintain compliance with federal and state regulations.
If you submit a review on Wealthtender, the Federal Trade Commission has issued guidance to ensure you always maintain the right and ability to request reviews be removed from any online review website, including Wealthtender. To request the removal of a review you submitted on Wealthtender, please send an email to support@wealthtender.com using the same email address you utilized when submitting the review. Please include in your email a link to the profile on Wealthtender where your review is published.
In addition to your review being published on Wealthtender, you acknowledge your review may also be published by your financial advisor on their website, social media accounts, and/or profile pages on other directory websites.
The reviews posted on Wealthtender are individual and subjective opinions. The opinions expressed in reviews are those of the reviewer and not of Wealthtender, Inc. Wealthtender does not endorse any of the opinions expressed by reviewers.
Please refer to the Wealthtender terms of service and privacy policy for additional information.
If you have questions or if we can assist with anything at all, please contact us by email at support@wealthtender.com or call us at (512) 540 – 3811.
Thank you for visiting Wealthtender and giving us the opportunity to serve you.
© 2024 Wealthtender, Inc.