Financial Planning for People Charting Their Own Course
Empowering plans for life's big transitions—so you can move forward with confidence.
Who I Serve
You're building a life that doesn't fit the mold. Your financial plan shouldn’t either. I'm here for people who want their money to work with their lives, not against them, especially when traditional financial advice doesn't quite fit your reality.
Does this sound familiar?
You're doing well but feel like you're winging your financial strategy.
You want your money aligned with your values, facilitating good in the world instead of being parked in a savings account.
Traditional advice feels written for someone else's life.
Maybe you're navigating your CalPERS or CalSTRS benefits, building chosen family, handling workplace challenges as your authentic self, planning an unconventional retirement, or just want your finances to feel less overwhelming.
I believe everyone deserves a financial plan that's authentically theirs. I specialize in the complexities of communities that traditional advisors often overlook, including California public employees, queer folks, and neurodivergent individuals. But no matter how you identify, we’ll build a plan that supports your goals and truly aligns with your life and values.
How We'll Build Your Plan
1. Map Your Reality: Understand where you are today, untangle the complexities, and get clear on what matters most to you.
2. Design Your Path: Create a realistic plan that works with your actual life, not some textbook version of it.
3. Live With Confidence: Feel secure knowing your money supports your goals and values - today and tomorrow.
What I Do:
Turn Uncertainty Into Action
On Questions Like…
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Retirement
Will I have enough to retire comfortably and do the things that bring me joy?
→ We'll model your complete retirement picture - pension, savings, and dreams - so you know exactly what's possible.
How can I become work optional before I’m in my sixties?
→ We'll map out realistic paths to financial independence that fit your income and goals.
Is it possible to retire early with a government pension?
→ We'll run the numbers on your pension options and bridge strategies to make early retirement work.
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Money Mindset
No one taught me how to handle money - am I doing the right things?
→ We'll create a judgment-free plan that meets you where you are and builds from there.
How do I stop feeling like my debt controls me?
→ We'll create a realistic payoff plan that gives you breathing room and momentum.
I can’t spend without feeling guilty - how do I have a better relationship with my money?
→ We'll explore where those feelings come from and build spending guidelines that feel good.
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Life and Career Transitions
If I buy a home, do I still have the financial flexibility to meet my other goals?
→ We'll model different scenarios so you can see exactly what home ownership means for your future.
I’m burned out and thinking of a sabbatical - how can I do this responsibly?
→ We'll run the numbers so you can take that break with confidence, not anxiety.
What if I decide I won’t work in the public sector my entire career?
→ I'll show you exactly how leaving affects your pension and what alternatives look like.
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Living Your Values
What does it look like to align my spending and investing with my values?
→ We'll explore how values show up in your complete financial life - from daily spending to banking and investment choices.
How can I give generously to my community and stay financially grounded myself?
→ We'll find the sweet spot between generosity and security that lets you sustain both.
Money feels tricky in my relationships - what can I do when our financial values don’t match?
→ We'll develop strategies for navigating money conversations and finding common ground.
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Investments and Savings
How do I balance saving for retirement and college at the same time?
→ We'll prioritize your goals and find a strategy that makes progress on both without overwhelming you.
Am I missing any opportunities to save on taxes?
→ We'll optimize your complete tax strategy, from retirement contributions to investment accounts.
Did I make the right investment choices for my retirement account?
→ We'll review your current approach and adjust anything that's not quite right-sized, or more expensive than it should be.
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Family Responsibilities
What's sustainable when multiple people in my life need financial support?
→ We'll create boundaries and systems that let you help others without jeopardizing your security.
Am I protecting myself and my family if the worst should happen?
→ We'll review your insurance and talk through worst case scenarios to make sure your loved ones are covered.
How can I prepare financially to take on a caregiving role?
→ We'll plan for the costs and income changes that come with caring for family members.
Client Stories
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Three Partners, One Future Home
A polycule of three (one with a steady paycheck, one self-employed, and one finishing grad school) wanted to buy a home together. We talked through how they’d share responsibilities and ownership, got them mortgage-ready, and discussed options to make sure the financial side felt just as intentional as their relationship.
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New Teacher, New Money Mindset
She didn’t see teachers who looked like her growing up, so she became one. We built a financial plan for her new career, creating a budget for her first apartment and love of trying new foods, while also clarifying her benefits, like student loan forgiveness and her pension. With this foundation, she stepped into her classroom with confidence and a clear vision for her financial future. Even better, her new knowledge became a way to empower her family and community too.
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Burned Out, Not Washed Up
After nearly 20 years in state service, he felt like he was on autopilot and missing the chance to be fully present with their newly adopted son. His husband supported him stepping away, and worried becoming a single-income household would derail their future goals. We mapped out a plan for a sabbatical that gave him the time he craved, without compromising their family’s future.
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Rebuilding After Divorce
After a late-life divorce, a nurse feared she’d never be able to afford to retire. We walked through her pension, Social Security, and the kind of lifestyle she pictured for herself. She left our last meeting with a smile, knowing her retirement wasn’t lost after all; in fact, it was only a few years away.
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Investing Without the Overwhelm
They wanted to start D.I.Y. investing without the jargon. All the options felt overwhelming, and researching them just led to more tabs, confusion, and shame for not knowing more. We kept things calm and easy-going, with lots of check in breaks. Together, we built a plan that felt doable (and even kind of fun).
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Explore more client journeys.
In-depth examples of how, in partnership with clients, we’ve built clarity and confidence in their money.
Why Work With Me?
CalPERS & CalSTRS Insider Knowledge
As a former legislative analyst who drafted pension policy, I know exactly how service credit purchases work, what happens if you leave public service, and how to optimize your retirement timing - insights you won't get from most generalist financial advisors.
Values-First Planning
We'll align your complete financial life with what matters to you, from choosing banks that support your community to spending plans that reflect your priorities.
Lived Experience & Inclusive Process
I've walked the path of creating financial security outside of traditional structures - from building chosen family to navigating workplace authenticity. Whether you're LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, or both, our planning process meets you where you are and adapts to how you work best.
Fee-Only Fiduciary
You pay only for advice, never commissions. I'm legally and ethically bound to put your interests first, always - with no products to sell or hidden incentives.
Explore how financial planning can support your life.
Whether you need focused help on one decision or a complete financial roadmap, let's find what works for you.
From Civil Service to Financial Guide
Hi, I’m Korinne - a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and an Accredited Financial Counselor®. I believe money should support your version of a good life…not just someday, but starting now.
If you have a CalPERS or CalSTRS pension, I know those systems from the inside as a former legislative analyst specializing in state pensions. I can help you make the most of your benefits, even if your life path leads you out of the public sector.
I work especially well with the queer and neurodiverse communities because I'm a part of them, and I understand the journey of building chosen family and creating a life on your own terms.
Ready to Start?
Let’s talk about where you are today and where you want to go. In this brief introductory call, we’ll get to know each other and explore whether we’re the right fit.
