Lansing, MI · Serving All of Michigan
A Financial Advisor Serving Lansing, Entirely by Video
Much of Lansing runs on public paychecks: the state, the university, the hospitals and the schools. Those jobs come with real benefits and plenty of fine print. We build one plan around your pay, your retirement plan and the house you want, and meet with you by video.
Solid Benefits, and Fine Print Nobody Explained
Public jobs in Lansing tend to come with retirement plans that beat most private ones. They are also more complicated. Which account gets the next dollar, when the employer money starts, and what happens if you leave in five years all change the answer.
Then come the student loans that might qualify for forgiveness, a first house in a market that is still within reach, and a city income tax that depends on where you live and where you work.
None of it is hard by itself. The cost comes from doing it in the wrong order, and it usually shows up years later.
Before vs. After Villaire Financial
Without a Plan
- Contributing whatever HR set as the default
- Student loans paid on autopilot while working a public job
- Renting longer than you meant to because the down payment feels far away
- Not sure whether living in the city or a nearby township changes your taxes
- Googling your way through major decisions and hoping you got it right
With Villaire Financial
- A contribution rate chosen on purpose, with every dollar of employer money captured
- A clear answer on forgiveness before you pay more than you need to
- A down payment target, a timeline and a monthly number
- Your take-home pay worked out for each option before you move
- Someone to check big decisions with before you make them
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.
State Employees
A 401(k) with an employer contribution and a match on top, plus a 457 plan. We set it up so none of it goes unused.
MSU Faculty and Staff
A retirement plan with generous university money and rules that depend on your job type. We sort out what applies to you.
First-Time Buyers
Homes here cost far less than in Ann Arbor. We help you buy without shortchanging retirement.
What clients say about working with us
"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."
"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."
"Since getting married two years ago, he has helped us create clear financial plans, stay on top of our money, and set up funds that actually make us feel confident about our future."
5.0 average Google rating as of October 14, 2026, based on 74 reviews posted to the Villaire Financial, LLC Google Business Profile since the firm opened in 2022. Google is not affiliated with Villaire Financial. No compensation was provided for any review. Ratings may not represent every client's experience and are not a guarantee of future results.
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 financial advisor for Lansing who makes sure you're actually building the life you want.
Villaire Financial is a fee-only, fiduciary financial advisor based in Grand Rapids and led by Chris Villaire, CFP®. We work with young professionals in Lansing and East Lansing by video and plan around State of Michigan and Michigan State University retirement benefits. Planning starts at $50 a month after a $250 onboarding fee, with no asset minimum.
Chris started Villaire Financial because the financial services industry has largely overlooked people in their 20s and 30s for decades. He built this firm for young professionals who want clarity and direction with their money, and he is in the same stage of life as his clients.
Meet ChrisYour 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 Onboarding Meeting
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 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
Working with us from Lansing
Meetings happen by video, so they fit around a state work schedule, a class schedule or a hospital shift. Documents are signed online, and your plan and accounts live in one client portal.
Our office is in downtown Grand Rapids if you are ever on the west side of the state, but you never need to visit.
Meetings are by video, documents are signed online, and your plan lives in a client portal you can open from anywhere in Michigan.
Book a free intro callWhat it costs. No surprises.
Fee-only means you pay us and no one else does. Every fee is in writing before you commit to anything.
| One-time onboarding | $250 |
|---|---|
| Planning, per month | $50 to $125, based on income and complexity |
| With $100,000+ managed | Monthly fee waived |
| Investment management | 1.25% a year (lower above $500,000), only if we manage your investments |
| Asset minimum | None |
| Commissions | None |
What People in Lansing Usually Ask First
I work for the State of Michigan. How does my 401(k) match work?
If you were hired on or after January 1, 2012, the state puts 4% of your pay into the State of Michigan 401(k) from your first paycheck and matches what you contribute dollar for dollar up to 3% of pay, according to the Office of Retirement Services. New hires are enrolled at 3% automatically, which is exactly enough for the full match. We decide whether more should go to the 401(k), the 457 or a Roth, based on your taxes and your other goals.
I work at Michigan State University. How does the retirement plan work?
MSU's 403(b) Base Retirement Program takes 5% of your eligible pay, and the university adds a matching contribution of up to 10%, a two-for-one match that is fully vested from day one, according to MSU Human Resources. The match amount and when it starts depend on your employee group, so we read your appointment details before setting anything up.
Does Lansing have a city income tax?
Yes. Lansing taxes residents 1% and nonresidents who work in the city 0.5%, according to the city's 2025 instructions, and East Lansing uses the same rates. On a $65,000 salary that is $650 a year if you live in Lansing, or $325 if you live in a township such as Delta, Meridian or Delhi and work in the city. Townships do not levy a city income tax, so where you live changes your take-home pay.
Can my student loans be forgiven if I work for the state or MSU?
Possibly. Public Service Loan Forgiveness covers government employers, including state agencies and public universities, and forgives the remaining federal Direct Loan balance after 120 qualifying monthly payments while you work full time. If you are on that path, we make sure your repayment plan and paperwork keep every payment counting.
What does a home cost in Lansing?
The Census Bureau's latest five-year estimate puts the median home value at about $128,700 in Lansing and $270,800 in East Lansing, so 10% down is roughly $12,870 to $27,080. Median rent in Lansing is about $993 a month. MSHDA's MI 10K program can add up to $10,000 toward a down payment for first-time buyers who meet its income limits. We build the purchase into your plan so the house does not crowd out retirement.
Is a financial advisor worth it if my retirement plan is already set up?
A set-up retirement plan covers one account. A financial plan decides how much goes to retirement versus a house or loans, whether Roth or traditional contributions fit your taxes, and what happens to your benefits if you change jobs. Planning with us starts at $50 a month, with no commissions and no asset minimum.
How much does a financial advisor cost in Lansing, MI?
The one-time onboarding fee is $250. Ongoing planning is $50 to $125 a month depending on income and complexity, and it is waived once you have $100,000 or more in managed assets. If we manage your investments, that is 1.25% a year on the assets we manage, and the rate drops above $500,000. There are no commissions and no asset minimum.
Is there a minimum amount I need to work with Villaire Financial?
No. There is no asset minimum, so you can start before you have built up much in savings.
Is Villaire Financial a fiduciary?
Yes. Villaire Financial is a fee-only registered investment adviser, legally required to act in your best interest and paid only by its clients, never by commissions or product sales.
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.
Not ready to talk yet?
The Path to Financial Freedom
A free 17-page walkthrough of budgeting, debt paydown, investing, and tax strategy, written for people in their 20s and 30s who want a clear starting point.
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Practical advice for busy professionals, with clear next steps you can actually use.
How Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Works, and When to Actually Use It
PSLF can wipe out your federal student loans after 10 years. Here's how it works, who qualifies, and when forgiveness beats paying them off yourself.
Michigan Cities With an Income Tax: The 2026 List and Rates
Twenty-four Michigan cities charge their own income tax, from 0.5% to 2.4%. Here's the list, how residents and commuters are taxed, and what it costs.
Roth vs. Traditional: How to Choose and Fund Your Retirement Accounts
Traditional or Roth? Here's how the tax treatment works, what accounts are available, and the right order to fund them.
Other areas we serve
Sources
- City of Lansing, 2025 individual income tax instructions and forms
- City of East Lansing, Income tax FAQs
- Michigan Treasury, Which cities impose an income tax?
- Michigan Office of Retirement Services, New hire and rehire guidelines
- MSU Human Resources, 403(b) Base Retirement Program
- Federal Student Aid, Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Census Reporter, Lansing city (ACS 2024 5-year)
- Census Reporter, East Lansing city (ACS 2024 5-year)
- Census Reporter, Ann Arbor city (ACS 2024 5-year)
- MSHDA, MI 10K DPA Loan
Census figures are 2024 five-year American Community Survey estimates and carry a margin of error. Tax rates and program rules change, so confirm current figures with the city, the township assessor or a tax professional. Examples are for illustration only. This page is general information, not tax, legal or investment advice. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.