✔️Summary:

In this episode, I interviewed T.J. van Gerven, a millennial financial planner. T.J. discusses his journey and philosophy in financial planning, focusing on serving the millennial generation. Starting his practice in 2018, T.J. emphasizes transparency and tailored advice, distinguishing himself from traditional advisors who often sell financial products rather than providing genuine advice.

T.J. explains that many financial advisors historically have had a bad reputation due to their sales-driven approach. However, the new generation of advisors, like him, are changing this by being transparent about fees and focusing on the client’s best interests. He structured his practice based on how he would want to be served, emphasizing straightforwardness and transparency.

He highlights the importance of understanding and managing equity compensation, especially for clients in startups with stock options. T.J. advises on strategies like managing concentration risk and planning for tax implications, such as the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). He emphasizes the need to balance short-term tax savings with long-term tax efficiency.

For millennials, T.J. advocates for financial flexibility over strict financial independence. He believes in creating good financial habits and using resources wisely, allowing clients to adapt to changing life circumstances without waiting until traditional retirement age.

T.J. prefers passive investing through index funds and ETFs, aligning with the philosophy that achieving average market returns often outperforms active management. Maintaining a small client base allows T.J. to provide personalized service and maintain a work-life balance. He focuses on quality over quantity, aiming to serve around 50 households effectively.

For those interested in learning more about financial planning, TJ recommends resources like Kitces.com and books such as "Consider Your Options" for stock options and "The Almanack of Naval Ravikant" for broader wealth-building advice.

⭐️About T.J.:

Theodore Joseph (T.J.) is a financial planner, the founder of Modern Wealth Builders, and the host of the podcast "Do More With Your Money."

After graduating from Virginia Tech, T.J. has dedicated his entire career to the financial services industry. He is passionate about helping millennials use money intentionally to build toward financial flexibility and independence.

Outside of his professional work, T.J. enjoys practicing Muay Thai, listening to audiobooks, visiting Martha’s Vineyard, and spending time with his friends and family.

💜 Where to find T.J.:

► Website: https://modernwealthbuilders.com

► Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjvangerven

► X: https://x.com/tjvangerven

► Podcast: Do More With Your Money

☞ T.J.’s Book Recommendation:

► "Common Sense on Mutual Funds" by Jack Bogle

► "A Random Walk Down Wall Street" by Burton G. Malkiel

► "Consider Your Options" by Kaye Thomas

► "The Almanack of Naval Ravikant" by Eric Jorgenson