Cynthia Meyer
CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®
Real Life Planning
Founder
Cynthia Meyer
CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®
Real Life Planning
Founder
I am a fee-only financial planner and real estate investor who founded Real Life Planning to mentor a new generation of real estate dreamers. I want our clients to feel ready, confident and prepared to invest in their real estate ideas. - Cynthia Meyer, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®
Fee-Only financial planner located in Gladstone, NJ, serving clients locally and across the country

Cynthia Meyer is a Gladstone, NJ fee-only financial planner and the founder of Real Life Planning. She helps clients develop a comprehensive financial life plan and investment strategy which includes their family, career and real estate goals, so they can pursue a life they love. Real Life Planning offers comprehensive and objective financial planning to real estate investors, such as rental property owners, aspiring real estate investors, people with inherited property, homeowners maximizing opportunities for income, Americans looking to buy property overseas, and expats working on long term assignments in the U.S. As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, Cynthia Meyer works for you, not for Wall Street. She is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.
Welcome! I’m Cynthia Meyer, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, and I am a real estate investor and financial planner who founded Real Life Planning to mentor a new generation of real estate dreamers.
At Real Life Planning, we speak both real estate and financial planning. Whether you’re adding to your properties, listing your place on Airbnb, getting started as a landlord or looking to buy a home overseas, we’ll help you create a realistic plan for your financial life goals.
As you build your investment property portfolio, we will help you plan to minimize taxes and diversify risks, manage total cash flow, and prepare for new opportunities.
Our clients are
– Rental property investors looking for a comprehensive financial plan
– Professionals considering a real estate side-hustle to expand investments
– People with inherited rental property
– Homeowners maximizing opportunities for income
– Americans looking to buy property overseas
– Expats buying homes in the U.S.
We’re a Fee-Only fiduciary firm, so we work for you, not for Wall Street. That’s why our fees are inclusive and transparent.
Direct real estate isn’t for everyone, and there are many ways to include real estate in your investment mix. We pledge to help you sort through your options and design a realistic plan that fits your life stage and preferences.
Real Life Planning works with clients virtually from anywhere and in-person in the NYC area. Interested in the real (estate) life? Book a discovery call today.
Cynthia Meyer is a Member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors - highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
NAPFA members live by three important values:
- To be the beacon for independent, objective financial advice for individuals and families.
- To be the champion of financial services delivered in the public interest.
- To be the standard bearer for the emerging profession of financial planning.
Real Life Planning offers unbiased financial planning for real estate investors, and those who dream of it.
Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.
Specialties
- Comprehensive Financial Planning
- Real Estate Investing
- Rental Real Estate
- Investment Policy Statement
- Tax Planning
- Ex-pat Financial Planning
- Income Diversification
Ideal Clients
- Rental property owners looking for a comprehensive financial plan
- Investors considering adding real estate to their portfolios
- Professionals considering a real estate side hustle
- Homeowners maximizing opportunities for income
- Americans looking to buy property overseas
- Ex-pats working in the U.S. considering a home purchase
Working Together
- Virtual meetings from anywhere
- In person meetings in the NYC area
- Clearly Defined Fees
- No Product Sales
- Complimentary Initial Consultation
- Financial coaching groups
- Live events, webinars and learning resources
Professional Designations & Affiliations
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Cynthia Meyer is a NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor
The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
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Cynthia Meyer is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional - Click for Verification
CFP® professionals are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in your best interest. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can use the CFP® designation.
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Cynthia Meyer is a Member of the XY Planning Network
The XY Planning Network is the leading organization of fee-only financial advisors who are focused on working with Generation X and Generation Y clients. Our mission is to connect consumers with best-in-class financial advisors who specialize in working with clients just like you.
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Cynthia Meyer is a CFA® charterholder
The CFA Program is the most respected and recognized investment management designation in the world with less than 200,000 charterholders globally.
This advisor has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation (CFA® charter) by passing all three of the CFA exams and gaining relevant industry experience, demonstrating their mastery of the investment analysis and decision-making skills most needed in the global investment management profession.
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Cynthia Meyer is a Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®)
Chartered Financial Consultant® designations are granted upon completion of seven required courses and two elective courses. Those who earn the designation are understood to be knowledgeable in financial matters and to have the ability to provide sound advice.
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Cynthia Meyer is Quoted in USA Today: "Why start a business after you retire? To earn money, keep sharp and pass on your skills"
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Cynthia Meyer writes on a variety of personal finance topics for Novi Money
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Cynthia Meyer is Quoted in Forbes: "Your Company Just Launched a Financial Wellness Program. Is It The Real Thing Or Just A Sales Pitch?"
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Cynthia Meyer is a Regular Contributor on Forbes.com
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Cynthia Meyer is Quoted on Smart Asset: "CFA Exam: Cost, Curriculum and Difficulty"
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Cynthia Meyer is the Co-Author of the Essay "Financial Life Planning at Work: How Financial Mentorship of Younger Employees Leads to Improved Retirement Preparedness"
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Cynthia Meyer is Quoted on Insider: "7 signs you're terrible with money, even if you don't think you are"
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Cynthia Meyer Discusses "The Parents’ Guide to Making a Will"
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Cynthia Meyer Discusses "Should You Pay Off Your Credit Cards With A 401k Loan?"
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Cynthia Meyer Discusses "6 Ways To Beat Financial Stress That Have Nothing To Do With Money"
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Cynthia Meyer Discusses "Returning to Work After a Career Break"
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Cynthia Meyer Discusses "Can You Walk Your Way Out of Debt (Living Without a Car)"
Contact Cynthia Meyer
Office Locations:
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10 Sheephill Dr
Gladstone, NJ 07934