Claire Holmes, CFP®
Financial Planner
I first got into personal finance way by reading some FIRE blogs (MMM anyone?), and that evolved into learning about investments, and then that subsequently devolved into a love of taxes.… (Not necessarily paying them, but doing them!) I was almost completely self-educated on all things finance, until I decided to officially enroll in the CFP® coursework and then sit for the exam – all while managing a doggy daycare!
I’d always known I wanted to help others in my career and I realized that I needed to make a career change to something that I was really, truly passionate about, and financial planning seemed to be it. And that was the right call! I now get to help educate others about all things finance, with the goal of bettering their lives and reducing money stress. And it’s so very rewarding!
What is your favorite part about being a financial planner?
It’s very hard to pick one part that’s my absolute favorite… but I’d probably say my top two are helping others align their values with their money, and a close second is just helping to educate others. Money (and accumulation of money) is too often seen as the end-goal; figuring out how to use your money as a tool to prioritize your values & your goals can be so much more rewarding (even if that means you’re sometimes going against what you “should be doing”)! And I do love teaching!
If you could make up your own job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be?
Money Claire-ifier & cheerleader. At the end of the day, financial planning is a joint effort between the planner (me) and the client (you) – and I’m here to encourage you, educate you, and be a sounding board and resource when things get tricky.
What is the best skill that you bring to this job?
Care and empathy, with a touch of neuroticism.
After a Strategy Session, how do you hope your clients feel when they leave the meeting?
Optimistic. Too often I feel like money just equates to stress – and it’s completely understandable why for so many reasons! But… there are so many paths & options people can take to change their circumstances – or to simply make their current circumstances better. I’m hopeful that after we meet, clients have a better idea of where they currently stand, what options are available to them, and what actions they can take to make their money work for them!
If you could pass on only one piece of advice to your clients, what would it be?
Life is too short to worry about what your friends, coworkers, or neighbors are doing with their money or what society says you should be doing with yours – make a list of your goals and values (in your head, on paper, wherever), and then put your money to work! (And remember: you are not failing in life if you don’t own your own home by 35!)
On the weekends, you can find me…
Taking long walks with my husband and dog (in her stroller!), followed by a nap & maybe some reading or writing or wandering around Skyrim. Maybe cleaning if I’m feeling extra anxious! And watching hockey or Grey’s Anatomy. And eating. Always eating.
Bucket list travel destination?
New Zealand (LotR tour!), Iceland, and Japan. More realistic (and cheaper) options include Yellowstone, Big Bend, and going back to Banff.
My husband and I (very recently) also set ourselves a goal to make it to every NHL city – see a game, root for the home team (most of the time), and buy a souvenir jersey! Two down (if you count the Thrashers), 30 to go!
What is one thing your coworkers didn’t know about you… until now?
I have a goal to compete in an amateur bodybuilding competition in the next 1-2 years…. Possibly a cosplay bodybuilding competition…. And maybe even try my hand at some powerlifting competitions.
