Two Jobs. One Goal.
Helping people through tough situations is what I’ve always done.
I used to be a public adjuster. That means I helped homeowners fight their insurance companies after storms, leaks, fires—whatever caused damage. I saw it all. Mold in the walls. Roofs ripped off. Entire kitchens underwater.
Then I became a financial advisor. Now I help families plan for their future. I talk about retirement, life insurance, savings, and investing.
Sounds like two very different jobs, right?
But they’re really not. At the core, both jobs are about protection. About trust. About making sure people don’t get left behind.
Let me explain.
What I Learned from Insurance Claims
When disaster hits your house, most people don’t know where to start. You think insurance will just take care of it. Often, it doesn’t.
I saw families get denied for things buried deep in the fine print. I saw companies stall, delay, or offer way less than what was needed. And people were stressed. Confused. Angry.
As a public adjuster, I got to be their voice. I read the policy. I talked to the company. I made sure the claim was fair. That felt good.
But here’s the thing—by the time someone calls a public adjuster, the damage is done. Their roof is leaking. Their floors are ruined. The pressure is high.
They needed someone before the storm hit.
That’s what got me thinking.
Why Financial Planning Feels the Same
I became a financial advisor because I saw another kind of storm coming. Not from the sky. From life.
Medical bills. Job loss. Market dips. A sudden death in the family. Or just the fact that most people don’t retire with enough money.
Almost 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.
Only 31% of U.S. adults say they have a long-term financial plan.
And 40% of people would struggle to cover a $400 emergency.
That’s wild.
Planning ahead isn’t a luxury—it’s survival. But no one teaches us this stuff. Not in school. Not at work. You’re just supposed to figure it out.
So I decided to be the guy people call before the disaster. Not after.
How the Skills Transfer
As a public adjuster, I had to:
- Read policies
- Spot problems fast
- Explain things clearly
- Stand up for clients
- Deal with pressure
- Follow through
As a financial advisor, I do the same:
- Review retirement plans
- Spot gaps in coverage
- Make confusing stuff simple
- Stand by clients in tough decisions
- Handle emotions around money
- Stick to the plan
Same mindset. Same mission. Different tools.
What Most People Miss
People usually think of financial advisors like stock pickers. That’s part of it, sure. But planning is bigger than stocks.
It’s about knowing your goals. Protecting your family. Preparing for what might happen—not just what already did.
Here’s what I tell every client:
“Money doesn’t care how you feel. But a plan does.”
You can’t stop the economy from shifting. You can’t stop life from throwing curveballs. But you can be ready.
That’s what financial security looks like.
Quick Wins Anyone Can Start With
You don’t need a huge paycheck to get started. You just need a game plan. Here’s how:
1. Get Life Insurance
Start simple. If someone depends on your income, you need life insurance. Term life is affordable. You can get solid coverage for less than the cost of a weekly pizza.
2. Build an Emergency Fund
Aim for 3–6 months of expenses. Start with $500. Then $1,000. Keep it separate from your checking account so you’re not tempted to dip into it.
3. Know What You Own
Have a folder (yes, even a paper one) with:
- Your insurance policies
- Your bank and investment info
- Your will (if you have one)
- Account passwords and contact names
Keep it updated. This saves your family from a huge headache later.
4. Don’t Ignore Retirement
If your job offers a 401(k), use it. If not, open an IRA. Even putting away $50/month makes a difference.
Compound interest is wild. A 25-year-old who invests $200/month until age 65 could end up with over $500,000. That’s just math.
5. Talk to Someone Who Knows This Stuff
You don’t have to go it alone. A financial advisor can break it down without confusing jargon or pressure. Just like a good adjuster helps you fight a claim, a good advisor helps you fight for your future.
The Hard Truth About Waiting
I’ve seen what happens when people wait too long.
A storm hits and they didn’t read their policy. A family member passes and there’s no life insurance. Retirement creeps up and there’s not enough saved.
Waiting doesn’t protect you.
Starting does.
Final Thoughts
Being a public adjuster taught me what panic looks like. Being a financial advisor lets me stop that panic before it starts.
I’m not here to sell fear. I’m here to sell peace of mind.
And here’s what I believe:
The best time to prepare for a crisis is before it happens.
So whether you’re rebuilding a roof or building a future, take the first step now. Your future self—and your family—will thank you.
Want to make your own money game plan?
Start with one action this week. Pick from the list above. Write it down. Then stick to it.
Your financial future isn’t a mystery. It’s a series of smart choices, made early and made often.
Let’s protect your story before life tries to rewrite it.