Samantha Kirby, CFP®
Financial Planner
I’ve always been drawn to playing with numbers.
My very first job at 15 was in the accounting department of the local building supply store. After graduating from Western Washington University with a BA in Business and a concentration in Finance and Economics, I went to work for a large property management firm in their finance department.
From there I took a different role in order to spend more time with my kids, and worked as a bookkeeper for a developer in West Seattle, handling everything from construction funding to accounts payable and cash flow management. I’ve also spent time working in the accounting/finance department of a local credit union.
I found Creative Money in 2015 and fell in love with financial planning, and after acquiring my CFP designation started seeing clients soon after.
What is your favorite part about being a financial planner?
Connecting with people and making a real impact on their lives. It’s amazing to work with someone for several years and see their growth towards goals. And I love that it is useful for people across the board – not just those with massive account balances. We can help in so many situations, from people early in their career getting situated to those ready to transition to retirement.
If you could make up your own job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be?
Money guide and teacher. When working through financial planning I want clients to feel like they understand what their savings and future earnings translates to, big picture. My goal is to educate them so they have context for things, and can make decisions knowing the potential upside and downside.
What is the best skill that you bring to this job?
Curiosity and creativity. Often we have clients come to us with unique situations that require thinking outside the box. I love to really dig in and find solutions to complex situations.
After a Strategy Session, how do you hope your clients feel when they leave the meeting?
Empowered. My goal is to help clients understand what choices will get them closer to their goals, and why they might choose one path over another.
If you could pass on only one piece of advice to your clients, what would it be?
Small changes really add up!
On the weekends, you can find me…Biking around town, then laying on the couch reading a great book. If there is a stop for gelato on that bike ride, even better!
Bucket list travel destination?
Travelling is one of my most favorite things, so this is tough! I’ve visited a lot of my childhood bucket list destinations, but the one place I haven’t gotten to is Newfoundland. My dad is from there, and while the food isn’t as much of a draw (seal flipper pie anyone?) I’ve heard the people are overwhelmingly friendly and the scenery is unbelievable.
What is one thing your coworkers didn’t know about you… until now?
I spent five years as a fiber artist, designing knitwear and spinning wool into yarn.
