How to Take Control of Your Financial Future: Tools and Professionals That Can Help

Whether you’re just starting to build wealth or approaching retirement, making confident financial decisions requires the right tools and the right guidance from a financial planner. In this post, we’ll explore how investment calculators, retirement calculators, and Roth IRA calculators can support your planning—and how working with a qualified financial advisor, financial planner, or fiduciary can help bring it all together.

Use Calculators to Visualize Your Financial Goals

Before you make big decisions, it’s smart to model them out. That’s where online calculators come in, which tend to be ultra-basic versions of what financial planners use to support their clients:

• Investment Calculator – Understand how your money could grow over time based on your contributions, interest rate, and time horizon.
• Retirement Calculator – Estimate how much you need to save to meet your retirement goals, and test scenarios based on lifestyle choices and retirement age.
• Roth IRA Calculator – Explore whether a Roth IRA makes sense for your situation and compare potential tax savings with a traditional IRA.

These tools are a great starting point, but they’re just that—a starting point. Real financial planning goes deeper.

Why a Financial Advisor Matters, a LOT.

Even the best calculators can’t replace a real conversation. A financial advisor and/or financial planner can help you connect the dots between your income, goals, taxes, and investment strategy. If you’ve ever Googled “financial advisor near me”, you’re not alone—many people want local support from someone who understands the nuances of their specific financial picture.

You might also consider working with a certified public accountant (CPA) who is also a personal financial specialist (PFS) or a certified financial planner (CFP®). These professionals have all undergone rigorous training and are held to high ethical standards. They can help with:

• Retirement income planning
• Tax-efficient investing
• Estate and legacy planning
• Insurance and risk management

The Fiduciary Advantage

Not all advisors are the same. A fiduciary financial advisor is legally obligated to put your interests first—always. This means they’re not incentivized to sell products that don’t serve your needs. When interviewing advisors, ask them directly: “Do you operate as a fiduciary at all times?”

At Vidarrow, we believe fiduciary, transparent advice should be the industry standard.

Beyond Advice: Investment Management and Tax Planning

Some clients simply want a second opinion. Others prefer a full-service relationship that includes investment management, tax planning, and access to an ongoing “financial consultant”. No matter where you are on your journey, the key is to find a trusted partner who can adapt as your needs evolve.

Our team offers:

• Custom portfolios tailored to your goals and risk tolerance
• Strategic tax planning
• Real-time financial planning that adjusts as your life changes

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you’re calculating your next investment move or looking for a financial advisor near you, the first step is a conversation. Our firm offers complimentary consultations to help you evaluate your options, with no pressure and no jargon.

We look forward to serving you.