Grand Rapids, MI · Serving Clients Nationwide
A Financial Plan Built for Your Life, Not Someone Else's.
You're making good money. But every month without a plan, you're wondering if you're making the right calls, hoping it works out. We build a real financial plan around your life and make sure it gets done.
You're Making Good Money, but Wonder If You're Making the Right Moves
Your 20s and 30s are when the big decisions happen: how to pay off student loans, which accounts to prioritize, what to do with a bonus or equity comp, whether buying a home actually makes sense yet. These aren't small decisions. They compound for decades.
As income grows and life gets more complex (job changes, marriage, kids, a home), small mistakes are easy to make and the longer they go unaddressed, the more expensive they become to fix.
We pull it all together: investments, tax strategy, debt, and long-term goals in one coordinated plan. Not just to grow a number, but so you can stop guessing.
Before vs. After Villaire Financial
Without a Plan
- ✗Saving something every month, but never sure if it's enough or going to the right place
- ✗Writing a bigger check to the IRS every April than you probably should
- ✗Throwing money at debt with no real logic behind the order
- ✗Retirement feels like a vague someday with no real number behind it
- ✗Investments sitting somewhere, set and forgotten, with no one minding the store
- ✗Googling your way through major decisions and hoping you got it right
With Villaire Financial
- ✓Know exactly how much to save, and actually feel good about it
- ✓A tax strategy working in your favor all year
- ✓A clear paydown order, so every dollar has a job
- ✓Know exactly when you can stop working, with a number you trust
- ✓A portfolio you understand, built and managed for you
- ✓Never wonder if you made the right call
Is This Built for You?
We work best with people who have a lot going on financially and want someone in their corner to get everything working together.
Early Career Professionals
You're making good money but constantly wondering if you're actually doing the right things with it. Right accounts? Right order? Investing correctly? Most people in this season are just guessing. We make sure you're not.
Mid-Career Achievers
You've worked hard to get here. You earn well. But you still feel less financially secure than you expected to by now. Multiple accounts, a growing family, taxes getting more complicated. That gap between where you are and where you thought you'd be is exactly what we close.
Business Owners
Running a business means carrying two financial lives at once. Your business and your personal future are tangled, and it can feel like you're too busy building it to ever get on top of it. We separate what needs to be separated and make both make sense.
What clients say about working with Chris
"My wife and I have been working with Chris for a few years now. He's been absolutely incredible with helping us manage our finances. I highly recommend Chris to anyone who is looking for a faith-based and trustworthy advisor!"
"I couldn't be more grateful for Villaire Financial and the support I feel with Chris as my advisor. I feel far more confident about my finances than I did on my own. Chris takes the time to understand you and your situation, then helps you build out a system to ensure you're on track to meet your financial goals."
"Chris is one of the most genuine people you will meet in the financial services industry. I trust him to do what is right and he is considerate with all his clients. Working with Chris has been nothing but easy and comforting, I know that my finances are in great hands!"
Testimonials from current clients of Villaire Financial, LLC. No compensation was provided for these reviews. Individual experiences and results will vary. These testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other clients.
A Grand Rapids financial advisor who makes sure you're actually building the life you want.
Chris started Villaire Financial because the financial services industry has largely overlooked people in their 20s and 30s for decades. He built this firm specifically for young professionals to give them clarity and direction with their finances.
Meet ChrisOne Plan. Every Area of Your Financial Life.
Investments, taxes, retirement, budgeting, and planning for major life events, all in one plan that actually works together.
Investment Management
Portfolios built around your actual goals and risk tolerance, explained clearly so you always know what's happening with your money.
Explore Investment ManagementTax Planning
Year-round strategies to ensure you're not overpaying in taxes. Workplace benefits, Roth conversions, tax-loss harvesting, HSA optimization. Not just an April conversation.
Explore Tax PlanningBudget and Cash Flow
A budget that fits your actual life. Spend intentionally, pay down debt strategically, and have clarity knowing where your dollars are going.
Explore Budget & Cash FlowRetirement Planning
401(k) optimization, IRA strategies, and a clear projection of when you can retire and what it takes to get there. Built from day one, not after you're 50.
Explore Retirement PlanningLife Event Planning
Getting married, buying a home, changing jobs, starting a family? Each of these has major financial implications. We help you handle them right.
Explore Life Event PlanningFinancial Education
We make sure you understand your financial plan, not just follow it. Every recommendation gets explained clearly, and no question is off-limits.
Explore Financial EducationYour full financial plan in 30 days. Then we're there as life goes on.
Week 1
Book a Free 30-Minute Intro Call
Schedule a 30-minute call directly on our calendar. We'll hear about your situation, answer your questions, and tell you honestly if we think working together makes sense.
Week 2
Deep-Dive Discovery Session
Once we've decided to move forward, we schedule a deeper meeting covering income, expenses, investments, debts, insurance, taxes, and what you're actually trying to accomplish.
Weeks 3-4
Your Financial Plan
We build your plan across every area of your finances, then meet to present it and walk through it together so you understand the reasoning behind every decision. From there, we handle all the execution: account setup, money movement, and your personalized client portal.
Onward
Ongoing Reviews and Support
We meet at least twice a year to review progress and adjust as life changes. Between meetings, you can reach out whenever something comes up.
What you walk away with
- ✓A personalized financial plan covering every area of your financial life
- ✓A clear picture of where you stand and what to do next
- ✓A secure client portal with all your accounts and goals in one place
- ✓Ongoing investment management, handled for you
- ✓Twice-yearly reviews and an advisor you can reach between meetings
What People Usually Ask First
How long does it take to get a financial plan?
It typically takes about 30 days from your intro call to a complete financial plan and full implementation. After that, we move into ongoing planning and investment management.
How many times do we meet throughout the year?
We meet at least twice per year for formal reviews. You can always schedule additional time if something comes up: a new job, moving, a major purchase, or anything that affects your financial picture.
What does it cost to work with Villaire Financial?
There is a one-time $250 fee that covers your onboarding and financial plan implementation. After that, ongoing planning starts at $75/month. For investment management, a 1.00–1.50% annual AUM fee applies. The monthly fee is waived once you reach $100,000 in managed assets. No commissions, no hidden costs. See the full breakdown on our fees page. View fees →
Do I need a minimum amount of assets or income to get started?
No minimums. We work with people who are building wealth, not those who already have it. If you have income and want a real plan, we can help.
What is a fee-only financial advisor?
A fee-only financial advisor is paid exclusively by clients through flat fees, hourly rates, or a percentage of assets managed. They earn no commissions from financial products. This structure eliminates the conflicts of interest that arise when an advisor profits from recommending specific products. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, advisors who earn commissions have an inherent conflict of interest that fee-only advisors avoid by design.
What is a fiduciary financial advisor?
A fiduciary financial advisor is legally required to act in your best interest at all times, not just recommend "suitable" products. This is the highest standard of care in the financial industry. Not all advisors operate as fiduciaries. At Villaire Financial, Chris operates as a fiduciary 100% of the time, meaning every recommendation is made with your goals as the sole priority.
How much does financial planning cost?
At Villaire Financial, there is a one-time $250 onboarding fee covering your initial plan and setup. Ongoing planning starts at $75 per month, and investment management is 1.00 to 1.50% annually based on assets managed. The monthly fee is waived once you reach $100,000 in managed assets. No commissions, no hidden fees. Vanguard's Advisor's Alpha research found that working with a financial advisor can add approximately 3% in net returns annually through behavioral coaching, tax efficiency, and planning decisions.
What is the difference between a financial advisor and a financial planner?
"Financial advisor" is a broad term that can describe anyone who gives financial guidance, including brokers who earn commissions. A "financial planner" typically refers to someone who creates comprehensive plans covering budgeting, taxes, retirement, and investing. The CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) designation is the recognized standard for financial planners, requiring thousands of hours of experience and a rigorous board exam.
Do I need a financial advisor if I'm in my 20s or 30s?
Yes. Your 20s and 30s are when the most consequential financial decisions happen: choosing between a Roth and traditional 401(k), managing student loans, buying a home, handling job changes with equity comp. According to the FINRA Foundation's 2024 National Financial Capability Study, only 46% of U.S. adults have enough savings to cover three months of expenses. Getting a plan in place early, rather than waiting until you have more assets, is one of the highest-value financial decisions you can make.
How do I find a fee-only financial advisor in Grand Rapids?
Look for advisors who are transparent about their compensation structure and hold the CFP® designation. Villaire Financial is a fee-only, fiduciary firm based in Grand Rapids serving young professionals locally and nationwide. You can book a free 30-minute intro call directly on the website to learn if working together makes sense, with no pressure and no commitment required.
One Conversation. No Commitment.
A free 30-minute call. You'll leave with a clear answer on your biggest financial priority and an honest read on whether working together makes sense.
Free Download
The Path to Financial Freedom
Most people making good money still feel behind. This guide is for you. A 17-page walkthrough of budgeting, debt paydown, investing, and tax strategy, written specifically for people in their 20s and 30s who want a clear starting point.
Download the Free GuideMoney Insights
Practical financial takes with clear next steps you can actually use.
How We Helped a Young Married Couple Buy Their First Home in Their 20s
A real case study: how we helped a young married couple go from financially overwhelmed to closing on their first home in Grand Rapids, in under a year.
What to Do With Your Finances When You Change Jobs
The 60-day financial window around a job change matters. Here's the checklist, in the order it actually needs to happen.
Should I Pay Off Debt or Invest? A Framework for Young Professionals
Pay off debt or invest? The answer depends on your interest rates, tax situation, and goals. Here's a clear framework for young professionals to think through it.
Based Downtown Grand Rapids, Serving Clients Nationwide
We work with clients across the country, and most of our meetings happen over video call. If you're in West Michigan, we're happy to meet at our downtown Grand Rapids office whenever you'd prefer a face-to-face.
Villaire Financial
2 Fulton St W, Suite 122
Grand Rapids, MI 49503