See how financial planning can help you navigate decisions, connect competing priorities, and move forward with confidence—from starting your career to preparing for retirement.
These hypothetical case studies illustrate common planning situations and are not actual client results. Services and outcomes depend on each client’s circumstances and selected engagement.
Scott and Jane: Preparing for retirement
Scott and Jane, a couple in their mid-50s, had worked hard and saved consistently but weren’t sure when they could retire or how much they could comfortably spend. Jane, a longtime public school teacher, was approaching pension eligibility, while Scott had accumulated retirement savings through his career.
They wanted an independent expert to review what they had built and help them transition from accumulating wealth to using it with confidence.
To help Scott and Jane reach their goals, we:
Impact
Scott and Jane gained confidence from having their retirement decisions brought together into one coordinated plan. They better understand their options, where their income could come from, and how their spending choices affect long-term security. With an ongoing planning partner, they feel more prepared to use the resources they have built to enjoy their next chapter.
Scott and Jane: Preparing for retirement
Scott and Jane, a couple in their mid-50s, had worked hard and saved consistently but weren’t sure when they could retire or how much they could comfortably spend. Jane, a longtime public school teacher, was approaching pension eligibility, while Scott had accumulated retirement savings through his career.
They wanted an independent expert to review what they had built and help them transition from accumulating wealth to using it with confidence.
To help Scott and Jane reach their goals, we:
Impact
Scott and Jane gained confidence from having their retirement decisions brought together into one coordinated plan. They better understand their options, where their income could come from, and how their spending choices affect long-term security. With an ongoing planning partner, they feel more prepared to use the resources they have built to enjoy their next chapter.
Melanie and Brett: Planning through life’s changes
Melanie and Brett, a couple in their mid-30s with two young children, earned good incomes but struggled to coordinate everyday spending, retirement savings, education funding, and family goals.
They began an ongoing planning relationship to bring these decisions together. During their work with GFS, they received an inheritance that created new opportunities—and questions about how best to use the assets.
To help Melanie and Brett reach their goals, we:
Impact
Melanie and Brett have a clearer system for managing their finances and a thoughtful plan for using their inheritance. Instead of feeling pressure to make immediate decisions, they have an advisor who understands their family, helps them weigh trade-offs, and keeps their plan aligned with the life they want to build.
Melanie and Brett: Planning through life’s changes
Melanie and Brett, a couple in their mid-30s with two young children, earned good incomes but struggled to coordinate everyday spending, retirement savings, education funding, and family goals.
They began an ongoing planning relationship to bring these decisions together. During their work with GFS, they received an inheritance that created new opportunities—and questions about how best to use the assets.
To help Melanie and Brett reach their goals, we:
Impact
Melanie and Brett have a clearer system for managing their finances and a thoughtful plan for using their inheritance. Instead of feeling pressure to make immediate decisions, they have an advisor who understands their family, helps them weigh trade-offs, and keeps their plan aligned with the life they want to build.
Tanya: Building financial stability
Tanya is single, 28, and a nurse at a nonprofit hospital. Despite earning a steady income, she felt overwhelmed by credit card debt, substantial student loans, and uncertainty about saving for retirement.
She wanted more than a one-time action plan. Tanya was looking for an ongoing planning partner to help her organize her finances, follow through, and adjust as her circumstances changed.
To help Tanya reach her goals, we:
Impact
Through ongoing planning and accountability, Tanya paid off her credit card debt, developed more intentional spending habits, and began building savings and retirement investments. She has a clearer student loan strategy and a planning partner to help her stay on track as her income, priorities, and opportunities evolve.
Tanya: Building financial stability
Tanya is single, 28, and a nurse at a nonprofit hospital. Despite earning a steady income, she felt overwhelmed by credit card debt, substantial student loans, and uncertainty about saving for retirement.
She wanted more than a one-time action plan. Tanya was looking for an ongoing planning partner to help her organize her finances, follow through, and adjust as her circumstances changed.
To help Tanya reach her goals, we:
Impact
Through ongoing planning and accountability, Tanya paid off her credit card debt, developed more intentional spending habits, and began building savings and retirement investments. She has a clearer student loan strategy and a planning partner to help her stay on track as her income, priorities, and opportunities evolve.
Damian: A focused plan for specific goals
Damian is a teacher who manages his finances independently and feels comfortable following through on recommendations. He wanted a professional review of two specific areas: his workplace retirement plan and education savings for his children.
He was concerned about retirement-plan fees and wanted to understand his alternatives. He also needed a clear strategy for how much to save for education and which accounts to use.
To help Damian reach his goals, we:
Impact
Damian left with clear recommendations for his retirement account and a coordinated education savings strategy. He understands the decisions ahead and has practical steps to implement himself, without committing to an ongoing planning relationship.
Damian: A focused plan for specific goals
Damian is a teacher who manages his finances independently and feels comfortable following through on recommendations. He wanted a professional review of two specific areas: his workplace retirement plan and education savings for his children.
He was concerned about retirement-plan fees and wanted to understand his alternatives. He also needed a clear strategy for how much to save for education and which accounts to use.
To help Damian reach his goals, we:
Impact
Damian left with clear recommendations for his retirement account and a coordinated education savings strategy. He understands the decisions ahead and has practical steps to implement himself, without committing to an ongoing planning relationship.
Shanell: Starting her teaching career
Shanell is 22 and beginning her first year as a public school teacher. With her first full-time paycheck, she wanted to build good financial habits but wasn’t sure how to divide her income between everyday expenses, savings, and retirement.
She enrolled in our $495 Early-Career Financial Planning Project, a two-meeting engagement for individuals in their first three years of professional work.
To help Shanell build her financial foundation, we:
Impact
Shanell has a clear purpose for each part of her paycheck and a system that makes saving and investing a regular habit. She understands her benefits and investment choices and feels more confident managing her finances as she begins her teaching career.
Shanell: Starting her teaching career
Shanell is 22 and beginning her first year as a public school teacher. With her first full-time paycheck, she wanted to build good financial habits but wasn’t sure how to divide her income between everyday expenses, savings, and retirement.
She enrolled in our $495 Early-Career Financial Planning Project, a two-meeting engagement for individuals in their first three years of professional work.
To help Shanell build her financial foundation, we:
Impact
Shanell has a clear purpose for each part of her paycheck and a system that makes saving and investing a regular habit. She understands her benefits and investment choices and feels more confident managing her finances as she begins her teaching career.
Brianna: Finding a clear path forward
Brianna has $74,500 in federal student loans from undergraduate and graduate school and works for a nonprofit organization. She felt overwhelmed by repayment choices and unsure whether her employment and payment history could help her qualify for forgiveness.
She wanted focused student loan guidance rather than a comprehensive financial planning engagement.
To help Brianna understand her options, we:
Impact
Brianna has a clearer understanding of her loans, repayment choices, and potential path toward forgiveness. She knows which steps to take, what to monitor, and how her student loan strategy fits alongside her other financial goals.
Brianna: Finding a clear path forward
Brianna has $74,500 in federal student loans from undergraduate and graduate school and works for a nonprofit organization. She felt overwhelmed by repayment choices and unsure whether her employment and payment history could help her qualify for forgiveness.
She wanted focused student loan guidance rather than a comprehensive financial planning engagement.
To help Brianna understand her options, we:
Impact
Brianna has a clearer understanding of her loans, repayment choices, and potential path toward forgiveness. She knows which steps to take, what to monitor, and how her student loan strategy fits alongside her other financial goals.
We’ll help you explore the service and level of support that fit your goals.
jvenables@garrittfinancialsolutions.com
Jeff spent 31 years teaching chemistry, forensic science, and personal finance in Rock Hill, South Carolina, before retiring from the classroom in 2026 to focus fully on financial planning. His passion for financial literacy led him to begin working with individuals and families as a financial coach in 2019 before transitioning into financial planning.
Jeff is especially passionate about helping educators and other public-service professionals approach retirement with confidence. He helps clients think through pensions, Social Security, investments, and the transition from building savings to creating retirement income. He also brings experience in student loan planning and the financial decisions that arise throughout an educator's career.
Jeff holds a Financial Planning Certificate from North Carolina State University and is a Certified Student Loan Professional. He earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Wofford College, a Master of Liberal Arts from Winthrop University, and an Ed.D. in Teacher Leadership from Walden University. He also served eight years in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
He co-authored TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of South Carolina Public Schools: Optimizing Financial Decisions Based on Your PEBA Benefits and teaches a course based on the book for South Carolina educators. He has successfully advocated for improvements to 403(b) plans and continues to advocate for better retirement options for teachers.
After years of collaborating with Justin and sharing a commitment to financial education and serving those who serve others, Jeff joined Garritt Financial Solutions in 2026 as an Investment Advisor Representative.
jvenables@garrittfinancialsolutions.com
Jeff spent 31 years teaching chemistry, forensic science, and personal finance in Rock Hill, South Carolina, before retiring from the classroom in 2026 to focus fully on financial planning. His passion for financial literacy led him to begin working with individuals and families as a financial coach in 2019 before transitioning into financial planning.
Jeff is especially passionate about helping educators and other public-service professionals approach retirement with confidence. He helps clients think through pensions, Social Security, investments, and the transition from building savings to creating retirement income. He also brings experience in student loan planning and the financial decisions that arise throughout an educator's career.
Jeff holds a Financial Planning Certificate from North Carolina State University and is a Certified Student Loan Professional. He earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Wofford College, a Master of Liberal Arts from Winthrop University, and an Ed.D. in Teacher Leadership from Walden University. He also served eight years in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
He co-authored TL;DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of South Carolina Public Schools: Optimizing Financial Decisions Based on Your PEBA Benefits and teaches a course based on the book for South Carolina educators. He has successfully advocated for improvements to 403(b) plans and continues to advocate for better retirement options for teachers. After years of collaborating with Justin and sharing a commitment to financial education and serving those who serve others, Jeff joined Garritt Financial Solutions in 2026 as an Investment Advisor Representative.
actejtel@garrittfinancialsolutions.com
Anne Claire helps individuals and families build financial confidence, reduce debt, and grow wealth in ways that support their priorities. She is passionate about making financial planning understandable and helping clients feel more comfortable taking an active role in their financial lives.
Her interest in personal finance began when she started investing at age 22. As that interest grew, so did her desire to help others understand their options and build a stronger financial future.
Anne Claire joined Teach For America in 2000 and taught in Baltimore City for eleven years before moving into a central office role. Her education career reflects a longstanding commitment to helping others learn and succeed. She received the Kinder Award for Excellence in Teaching, was twice named a finalist for Baltimore City Teacher of the Year, and served as a Teaching Ambassador Fellow with the U.S. Department of Education.
Anne Claire began an apprenticeship with Garritt Financial Solutions in 2021 and joined the firm as an Investment Advisor Representative in 2023. She brings her educator's perspective and enthusiasm for financial literacy to helping clients connect their money with a fulfilling life.
Outside of work, Anne Claire enjoys reading, playing sports, and spending time outdoors with her family.
jagarritt@garrittfinancialsolutions.com
Justin founded Garritt Financial Solutions to help people make confident financial decisions and use their money to build fulfilling lives. He works with individuals and families to bring their financial picture together—from investments, taxes, and employer benefits to retirement planning and competing everyday priorities. His approach combines education, thoughtful analysis, and practical action steps so clients understand both what they're doing and why.
Before becoming a financial planner, Justin spent eleven years teaching in Baltimore City Public Schools after joining Teach For America in 2011. As a middle school math teacher and baseball coach, he developed a passion for helping people work through challenges and recognize their potential. He received the Harriet Ball Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2021.
Justin completed financial planning coursework through Boston University and became an Investment Advisor Representative in 2020. He left the classroom in 2022 to focus fully on financial planning, bringing the same enthusiasm for teaching and problem-solving to his work with clients.
Outside of work, Justin enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, being outdoors, and finding opportunities for adventure.
actejtel@garrittfinancialsolutions.com
Anne Claire helps individuals and families build financial confidence, reduce debt, and grow wealth in ways that support their priorities. She is passionate about making financial planning understandable and helping clients feel more comfortable taking an active role in their financial lives.
Her interest in personal finance began when she started investing at age 22. As that interest grew, so did her desire to help others understand their options and build a stronger financial future.
Anne Claire joined Teach For America in 2000 and taught in Baltimore City for eleven years before moving into a central office role. Her education career reflects a longstanding commitment to helping others learn and succeed. She received the Kinder Award for Excellence in Teaching, was twice named a finalist for Baltimore City Teacher of the Year, and served as a Teaching Ambassador Fellow with the U.S. Department of Education.
Anne Claire began an apprenticeship with Garritt Financial Solutions in 2021 and joined the firm as an Investment Advisor Representative in 2023. She brings her educator's perspective and enthusiasm for financial literacy to helping clients connect their money with a fulfilling life.
Outside of work, Anne Claire enjoys reading, playing sports, and spending time outdoors with her family.
jagarritt@garrittfinancialsolutions.com
Justin founded Garritt Financial Solutions to help people make confident financial decisions and use their money to build fulfilling lives. He works with individuals and families to bring their financial picture together—from investments, taxes, and employer benefits to retirement planning and competing everyday priorities. His approach combines education, thoughtful analysis, and practical action steps so clients understand both what they're doing and why.
Before becoming a financial planner, Justin spent eleven years teaching in Baltimore City Public Schools after joining Teach For America in 2011. As a middle school math teacher and baseball coach, he developed a passion for helping people work through challenges and recognize their potential. He received the Harriet Ball Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2021.
Justin completed financial planning coursework through Boston University and became an Investment Advisor Representative in 2020. He left the classroom in 2022 to focus fully on financial planning, bringing the same enthusiasm for teaching and problem-solving to his work with clients.
Outside of work, Justin enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, being outdoors, and finding opportunities for adventure.