By Craig Childress, CFP®
Does it seem like things in our world are becoming increasingly uncertain? Everywhere we turn things keep changing; the state of the economy, political unrest, the housing market, and even the weather are unpredictable. This uncertainty can cause a lot of stress. In fact, a recent survey found that for 73% of Americans, the biggest life stressor is their finances. (1) Finding the time and resources to build and manage your wealth confidently is no easy task. The current ups and downs of the economy certainly are not helping to ease our financial worries either. It is challenging to know how to integrate your family’s values, financial circumstances, and life goals into your financial plan and stay on track for the long term.
At Oswego Wealth Advisors, we understand how difficult it can be to find the time or energy to devote to necessary but overwhelming tasks, such as planning for retirement or building your family’s legacy; but that’s why we exist. Our mission is to help you reduce financial uncertainty so you can spend more time enjoying what matters most to you. By allowing us to take care of the intricacies of financial planning and investing, you can minimize at least one area of stress, allowing you to devote more time to your family and passions in life.
Who We Serve
Oswego Wealth Advisors is a private, independent wealth management firm based in Lake Oswego, OR. As a CFP® certified, fee-based financial planning firm, it is our fiduciary duty to always put the needs of our clients first. Those clients come from various walks of life, but the common denominator among them is that they care about their family and community, they need complex, comprehensive planning, and they are retired or are nearing retirement. We also serve Oregon State employees who are in the public employees’ retirement system.
With all our clients, our goal is to provide clarity around how their finances can be aligned to achieve the things that matter most to them. We work with each client closely, addressing their unique financial situation by setting clear goals together and remaining committed to those goals throughout our working relationship. We help our clients build a strong legacy so they can attain their ideal future.
What We Do Best
At Oswego Wealth Advisors, our motto is “Planning to make a difference.” For the past 39 years, Craig has lived out this motto by providing personalized, comprehensive financial planning services, including general life planning, retirement planning, investment strategy implementation, and situational guidance. Our firm was founded on the principle that our clients’ interests always come first and we exemplify this principle through our core values of empathy, philanthropy, and guidance. We do this by listening to and understanding our clients’ stories so we can always act in their best interest, giving back to the community, and being transparent in all our dealings, including educating our clients in all aspects of the Financial Life Plan.
We are proud to be at the forefront of integrating life and financial planning through The Financial Life Plan. This is a powerful, research-driven, five-step process that allows us to work with our clients to create and pursue their overall life goals, not just the financial ones. Here’s an overview of the process:
Step 1: The conversation starts with the very first meeting where we get acquainted, inform you of our process, and discuss your life goals, needs, concerns, and aspirations.
Step 2: Next, we listen to help you identify your values and clarify your priorities.
Step 3: Then we guide you in creating a vision for your ideal life, define your personal and financial goals, and establish a financial plan that aligns with these priorities.
Step 4: Once the groundwork has been laid, we review everything with you for clarity and demonstrate how the solutions we discussed will help you achieve your life goals and vision.
Step 5: Finally, we implement and then continue to monitor your financial plan to help maintain focus and progress toward your goals, addressing any issues that may come up along the way.
Through this process, our goal is that you will gain confidence in and control of your financial decisions so you can attain the ideal future you envision and build a long-lasting legacy.
Experience the Difference
There aren’t many guarantees in life, but with Oswego Wealth Advisors, you can be sure that we are here for you every step of the way—to retirement and beyond. If you want to reduce the financial stress in your life so you can focus on what brings you joy, take the first step toward making your financial dreams a reality by contacting us today. Schedule an introductory phone call or reach out to us at 503-342-2249 or craig@oswegowealthadvisors.com.
About Craig
Craig Childress is Wealth Manager and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Oswego Wealth Advisors, an independent firm in Lake Oswego, Oregon, dedicated to helping their clients remove financial uncertainty so they can focus on what matters most. With over 35 years of experience, Craig employs a personal approach to help people find solutions to their financial needs and concerns, set goals, clarify their values, and design a plan that aligns their money with their values. He does everything with purpose and intention, and cares deeply about his clients and their families, desiring to equip and empower them to work toward financial freedom and a fulfilling life. As a Fiduciary, Craig puts his clients first, always, and provides transparent guidance that makes a significant difference in their lives. When he is not serving his clients, you can find Craig involved at River West Church, serving the community here and abroad through the Lake Oswego Rotary Club, reading, gardening, or playing his guitar. He loves spending time with his family, especially his wife, Terri, and their grown children. To learn more about Craig, connect with him on LinkedIn.
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(1) https://www.cnbc.com/select/73-percent-of-americans-rank-finances-as-the-number-one-stress-in-life/
