Michael Goldman
CFP®, MA
Gather Financial® Planning
Founder | Executive Director
Michael Goldman
CFP®, MA
Gather Financial® Planning
Founder | Executive Director
As a fee-only financial planner, my focus is to offer unbiased financial advice to help you achieve your life goals. - Michael Goldman, CFP®, MA
Fee Only Financial Planner Located in Portland, ME and Serving Clients Nationwide
Michael Goldman is a Falmouth, ME fee-only financial planner. Gather Financial® Planning provides holistic financial planning, ongoing support and truly trustworthly advice to help everyday people organize, grow and protect their assets through life’s transitions. As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, Michael Goldman is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and credible financial advice.
Michael C. Goldman, M.A., CFP®, founder and executive director of Gather Financial® Planning, is passionate about helping people identify and reach meaningful life goals through trustworthy financial advice and coaching. He launched the firm in 2012 to provide fee-only financial planning services that enable clients to use money to help them achieve the life they want.
Many financial planning firms have minimum asset requirements that prevent certain individuals from achieving their financial goals. For this reason, Michael designed Gather Financial® Planning’s services to assist a wide range of clients. This includes those who often cannot see a top-quality, reliable financial advisor because they lack a large investment portfolio. Using his extensive experience and the principles of behavioral finance, Michael enjoys coaching, teaching and helping bring about a transformation in his clients so they can turn their dreams into reality.
Using money-management techniques to live a meaningful and rewarding life is something Michael has put into practice for decades. In his earlier years, skillful financial management enabled him to pay for an advanced education and travel extensively. He discovered Maine while completing his master’s degree at New York University and loved the area immediately. Upon moving in 2000, he was able to attend the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport to develop his skills in his favorite hobby, woodworking. After just a year and a half he began building his own home, which he completed in 2004. He moved to the Portland area in 2006 and now lives in Yarmouth with his wife, two daughters, three step sons, and one tiny dog. Committed to community, he is honored to serve on the board of a charitable foundation.
Behavioral finance has been a strong interest of Michael’s for many years. Intrigued by investing and the behavioral influences involved in market fluctuations, he attended University of Texas at Austin to complete his honors thesis on the relationship between consumer sentiment and stock market price movements. He continued to research behavioral finance while completing his master's degree in New York.
Michael eventually took a position at a talent selecting and developing firm, where he became a proficient coach. He enjoyed helping individuals change their behavior to achieve specific goals. He gained extensive knowledge and experience that included coaching programs for hundreds of executives, managers and professionals at Fortune 500® companies.
Today, Michael’s background, knowledge, skills and passion enable him to make a positive, lasting impact. His professional certifications and affiliations back up the quality of his services. Having completed the rigorous CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional requirements for CFP® certification, Michael carries the CFP® mark of distinction.
Michael’s membership in the Garrett Planning Network, the premier organization for independent, fee-only financial advisors, demonstrates his commitment to making objective and competent advice available to people from all walks of life through hourly, fee-only financial planning. His certification with the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) places him in the top professional association of fee-only advisors in the country. As a NAPFA-registered financial advisor, he has taken a strict fiduciary oath and meets extensive continuing education requirements.
Michael Goldman 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.
Gather Financial® Planning is a fee-only advisory firm based in Maine, serving clients nationwide. Our team specializes in making truly trustworthy advice available to everyday people. You can get as much assistance as you want — from a one-time planning project to ongoing support for all aspects of your financial life. We are financial help professionals who serve as trusted partners to everyday people by providing coaching, planning, and support throughout the financial life journey.
OUR FOCUS IS ON PEOPLE, NOT JUST THE NUMBERS.
At Gather Financial® Planning, we're here to act in your best interest, create a custom plan for you and provide the coaching you need to make that plan a reality. We work together with you so the numbers fall into place. Our unique approach combines sound financial principles with an understanding of human nature. We founded the firm to give everyday people access to trustworthy financial advice. We believe financial success is for everyone.
Gather Financial® Planning provides truly trustworthy advice tailored to your needs and goals. As a fee only advisory, the firm does not sell stocks, annuities or insurance policies and does not receive commissions or kickbacks for recommending certain financial products. We work just for you because we are paid just by you! Because there are no minimum asset requirements, we can assist clients who need top-notch financial advice but cannot get it elsewhere.
Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.
Specialties
- Comprehensive Financial Planning
- Retirement Income Planning
- Investment Management
- College Education Planning
- Tax Planning
Ideal Clients
- Retirees and Near Retirees
- Growing Families
- Business Owners and Executives
- Sudden Money Situations
- Novice Investors
Working Together
- In-Office Meetings
- Virtual Meetings
- Clearly Defined Fees
- No Product Sales
Professional Designations & Affiliations
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Michael Goldman is a NAPFA-Registered Financial AdvisorThe 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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Michael Goldman is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional - Click for VerificationCFP® 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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Michael Goldman is a member of the Garrett Planning Network. Click here to learn more.Everyone needs competent, objective financial advice from time to time. The Garrett Planning Network has a nationwide membership with hundreds of independent, Fee-Only financial planners providing advice to people from all walks of life, without minimum account requirements, sales commissions, or long-term commitments. Our members proudly embrace their fiduciary duty, always placing their clients' best interests first.
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Michael Goldman is a Money Quotient Trained Financial AdvisorMoney Quotient is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded on the belief that a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to financial education and planning will engage individuals and inspire them to maximize their resources and live purposeful lives.
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Michael Goldman is quoted in the Wall Street Journal: "Voices: Michael Goldman, on Instilling 'Wealthy Habits' in Clients"
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Michael Goldman is Mentioned in Money Under 30: "Using multiple bank accounts to control your spending"
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Michael Goldman is Quoted on Money Under 30: "23 Things Beginners Absolutely Must Know About Saving For Retirement"
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Michael Goldman is the Founder of Money Mentals
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Michael Goldman was a Featured Panelist at the 2016 Annual Garrett Retreat
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Michael Goldman is Featured on Jason Vitug's Blog: "THE ROAD TO FINANCIAL WELLNESS WEEK 1 UPDATE"
Contact Michael Goldman
Office Locations:
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19 Northbrook Drive
Falmouth, ME 04105 -
67 Pine Street
Suite 1
Bangor, ME 04401
