Specializing in financial planning for families
Who We Help
We work best with Christian households standing at one of life's biggest financial turning points.
College is Coming
You have a child heading to college in the next few years and want to fund it without derailing your retirement.
Retirement is Near
You’re within five years out and want to know — really know — whether you’re ready.
You've Just Retired
You’ve stepped into retirement and want confidence that your savings will last and your money reflects your values.
6 Reasons Christian Families Don't Reach Their Full Kingdom Impact
They never put a real plan in place
They lean too heavily on debt
They overlook strategies that could lower their taxes
They put off generosity for “someday”
Their money drifts out of line with their values
They make college decisions on emotion instead of a plan
Most Families Feel a Little Behind. You’re Not Alone.
I’m Michael Kostelnik — a fee-only, fiduciary financial planner, a bi-vocational pastor, and a father of four. I know firsthand how hard it is to juggle raising a family, saving for the future, and living out your faith. I’ve sat with many parents facing the exact pressures you’re facing. Together, we can work through them and build a plan that fits your family and your values.
Book a Free Discovery Call
A relaxed 30 minutes to understand your situation and goals — no cost, no obligation.
We Build Your Plan
Together we map out the steps to reach what matters most to you.
Implement and Adjust
Do it yourself, or have me walk alongside you — and we adjust as life changes.
Our Services
Real Families, Real Progress
These are real outcomes for individual clients. Each reflects that client’s specific situation and is not typical, not a guarantee, and not an indication of the results any other person will achieve.
A Bigger House for the Kids?
When this family came to us, they wanted more space for their growing kids — but the thought of putting money toward a down payment scared them. They didn’t want to risk their children’s college or their own retirement, and they needed to feel financially safe before they could commit.
The plan. We started by building a dedicated down-payment fund in a money market account — deliberately kept separate, with no debit card or checkbook attached, so the money was out of easy reach but still there in a true emergency. We kept it out of the market to avoid investment risk, since this was savings they couldn’t afford to lose. That safety net let them set aside more each month than they’d ever been comfortable saving. As their confidence grew, we layered in 529 college savings and retirement contributions, and kept a simple monthly spreadsheet of every balance — so they could watch their progress instead of fearing it.
Where they are today. They bought the home, with a down payment built from a fund they’d grown into the tens of thousands of dollars. Their retirement savings reached a point where they could pause new contributions and redirect that money toward other goals. Their kids’ college funds aren’t fully funded yet, but they’re in a healthy, on-track position — and the family moved forward without sacrificing either priority.
Retire Debt Free?
This client wanted to retire early — around age 63 — with his home fully paid off before he stopped working. The problem: he didn’t believe he could afford to accelerate his mortgage and save for retirement at the same time.
The plan. We started by moving a set amount into a money market account each month, kept out of the market to avoid market risk and left within reach in case he ever needed it. Every quarter we reviewed his balances together on a simple spreadsheet. Whenever the account had grown past his comfort level, we took the last three months of those deposits and applied them straight to his mortgage principal. Over a few years, that steady rhythm paid the house off entirely. Then we redirected both the money he’d been saving and his now-freed-up mortgage payment into retirement, using the same money-market-then-contribute process. When he launched his own business along the way, we added a SIMPLE IRA and used catch-up contributions to push his savings further.
Where he is today. His mortgage is gone, and he’s about two years from the early retirement he set out for. His plan from here includes part-time work — enough to ease the pace of early withdrawals and to keep him engaged rather than idle.
Common Questions
What does “fee-only” mean?
I’m paid only by my clients — never through commissions or product sales — so my advice is about what’s right for you.
Do you only work with Christians?
Faith is at the heart of how I work, and I love serving Christian families — but I welcome anyone who wants honest, fee-only planning.
Do I need a lot of money to work with you?
No. There’s no minimum, and the hourly option is built for people just getting started.
Are you local, or can we meet virtually?
Based in Mentor, Ohio, I work with families both locally and virtually by video.
A free, no-obligation conversation is the best way to see if we’re a fit.