Life Event Planning
The Big Decisions Compound. Handle Them Right the First Time.
Financial planning for life's major transitions: buying a home, getting married, changing jobs, starting a family. Each one has a right way and a wrong way to handle it, and most people figure it out as they go.
Most major financial decisions happen when you're busiest and least prepared for them.
Getting married, buying a first home, changing jobs, having a baby. Each of these is exciting. Each of them also has a long list of financial decisions attached that most people don't think about until they're in the middle of it.
By the time you're deciding whether to combine finances, figuring out how much house you can actually afford, or trying to decide what to do with a 401(k) from your old job, there are usually a dozen other things pulling your attention. That's when mistakes happen. And in most of these decisions, mistakes are expensive to undo.
How We Help at Every Major Transition
Marriage and combining finances
Joint accounts or separate? Who pays what? How do you handle different spending habits or income gaps? We help couples build a structure that works before resentment builds around money.
Home buying
How much house can you actually afford without stretching too thin? We look at down payment strategy, mortgage sizing, PMI vs. putting more down, and what buying does to your overall financial picture.
Job change
401(k) rollover options, benefits comparison, total compensation analysis, and equity compensation review. A raise at a new job doesn't always come out ahead once you factor in everything.
New baby
The cash flow hit of a new child is real. Life insurance review, 529 planning, FMLA logistics, childcare costs. We help you plan for it before it's happening, when the decisions are easier to think through.
Inheritance or windfall
Receiving a large sum of money comes with real pressure to make the right call quickly. We help you slow down, think clearly, and build a plan that actually fits your situation and values.
Equity compensation
RSUs, ISOs, NSOs, stock options. If your job includes equity, we build a strategy for when to exercise, when to sell, and how to keep the tax bill manageable.
Life Event Planning FAQ
We are getting married. Should we combine our finances?
There is no universal answer, and the wrong answer for your relationship is worse than the wrong answer on paper. Some couples fully combine everything. Others keep separate accounts and split shared expenses. Many do a hybrid: shared accounts for joint goals and separate accounts for personal spending. What matters is having an explicit system you both actually follow. We work through the options and help you build something that fits.
How much house can I afford?
The bank's number and the right number are often very different. Lenders approve you based on debt-to-income ratios. A financial plan considers how a mortgage payment affects your ability to save for retirement, build an emergency fund, and hit your other goals. We run the numbers around your full financial picture, not just what you qualify for.
I got a job offer with RSUs. How do I think about equity compensation?
RSU valuation, vesting schedules, and tax treatment can all significantly affect the real value of a job offer. We help you evaluate the offer fully, understand the tax implications of different vesting and selling scenarios, and build a strategy for what to do with shares once they vest.
We are having a baby. What do we need to do financially?
Quite a bit, and it is better to work through it before the baby arrives. The list includes: revisiting your budget to account for childcare, reviewing life insurance coverage, updating beneficiary designations on all accounts, potentially opening a 529 college savings plan, and making sure your emergency fund is sized for a single-income period if one of you takes parental leave. We work through all of it with you.
What should I do with my 401(k) when I change jobs?
You have a few options. You can roll it into your new employer's plan, roll it into an IRA, or leave it in your old plan if the investment options are good. Each has trade-offs. We evaluate your specific situation and handle the rollover so nothing gets lost or triggers an unintended tax event.
When should I start thinking about this, before or after the life event?
Before, whenever possible. The most valuable planning happens before decisions are locked in. If you are three months from buying a home, we can review the full financial picture and make sure you are not draining accounts you will need for other goals. If you are about to accept a job offer, we can help you evaluate it properly before you sign. Reactive planning is still planning, but it has fewer options.
What clients say about working with Chris
"Chris has been such a huge help to my husband and I. 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. He is incredibly knowledgeable and organized, but what we appreciate most is how genuine, honest, and trustworthy he is. We truly couldn't recommend him more!"
"I've had the pleasure of working with Chris on my personal financial planning over the past few years. He's taught me so much about money and has managed my investments thoughtfully and effectively. He's helped me make smart decisions with my brokerage account and Roth IRA, while also planning ahead for a future home purchase. Chris communicates clearly, explains things simply, and is honest. I highly recommend him if you're looking for someone to help with your financial planning."
"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."
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 fiduciary CFP® who built this firm for people in their 20s and 30s.
Chris Villaire started Villaire Financial because most wealth management firms won't work with you until you have $250,000 or more. The decisions that matter most, how to allocate your first 401(k), when to start Roth conversions, how to handle a job change, happen well before that. He built this firm specifically to help people in the wealth-building stage, not after it's already done.
Based in Grand Rapids, MI. Serving clients nationwide.
Simple to get started. Straightforward from there.
Book a free 30-minute intro call
Tell us what's going on. We'll answer your questions honestly and tell you upfront whether we think working together makes sense.
Build your financial plan
We go deep on your income, spending, investments, debt, and goals, then deliver a complete financial plan in about 30 days. You understand every piece of it.
Ongoing planning and support
Twice-a-year reviews, ongoing investment management, and an advisor who's available when something comes up between meetings.
Big Decision Coming Up? Let's Talk Through It.
Book a free 30-minute intro call. We'll walk through what's happening and tell you exactly what needs to be decided and in what order.
Book a Free Intro CallGuides on Life Events
Buying Your First Home in Grand Rapids: A Complete Financial Checklist
West Michigan's housing market moves fast. A complete financial checklist for buying your first home in Grand Rapids — before you start shopping.
Getting Married? Here's How to Combine (or Separate) Your Finances
Getting married? The money conversation before you say 'I do' is one of the most important you'll have. Here's how to combine — or keep separate — your finances.
Having a Baby? Here's What to Do With Your Finances First
The six months before a baby arrives are the best time to get your finances in order. Here's a practical checklist.