Michelle Smalenberger
CFP®
Financial Design Studio, Inc.
Financial Advisor & Chief Executive Officer
Michelle Smalenberger
CFP®
Financial Design Studio, Inc.
Financial Advisor & Chief Executive Officer
As a fee-only financial planner, my focus is to offer unbiased financial advice to help you achieve your life goals. - Michelle Smalenberger, CFP®
Fee-Only financial planner located in Deer Park, IL, serving clients locally and across the country
Michelle Smalenberger is a Deer Park, IL fee-only financial planner. Financial Design Studio, Inc. provides comprehensive and objective financial planning and tax preparation to help high-income earners and individuals nearing retirement organize, grow and protect their assets through life’s transitions. As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, Michelle Smalenberger is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.
Michelle Smalenberger is a fee-only Financial Advisor and Chief Executive Officer at Financial Design Studio, Inc., located in Deer Park, IL.
With over 16 years working at a nationally-recognized firm, Michelle couples her experience and technical knowledge to serve you in Deer Park.
A Certified Financial Planner TM (CFP®), she shares her enthusiasm for successful financial futures with all clients. She earned her undergraduate degree in Family Financial Planning from Kansas State University. She enjoys educating others about personal finance through her volunteer involvement with Junior Achievement in the classroom.
Selected as a member of the 2016 Investment News class of 40 Under 40, she has also been mentioned in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, XY Planning Network, The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, Kiplinger, Investopedia, Forbes, and Financial Advisor IQ.
Michelle currently serves as a board member for A Better Life for Kids. ABLFK is a non-profit organization founded to provide opportunities and invest in the futures of children, in Ghana, West Africa, who are in need. Michelle also serves on the Finance Committee of Harvest Bible Chapel.
Professionally, Michelle serves as an advisory committee member for XY Planning Network .
Michelle is a member of The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), Fee-Only Network, XYPlanningNetwork, and CFP® Board, and a Quickbooks ProAdvisor.
Outside of work, you can find Michelle spending time with her family — enjoying the outdoors, woodworking, gardening, crafting, and watching or playing sports like tennis, golf, volleyball, and basketball.
Michelle Smalenberger 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.
A husband and wife team with a passion for helping others design a path to financial success — whatever success means for you.
Michelle’s financial planning background (and forward-looking projections) and Steve’s tax and accounting background (and deep analysis) fit together to create complete roadmaps and creative solutions.
We have both seen the power of having a financial plan, and adjusting that plan to life. The result? Freedom from worrying about the future so you can enjoy today.
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
- Complimentary Initial Consultation
Professional Designations & Affiliations
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Michelle Smalenberger 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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Michelle Smalenberger 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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Michelle Smalenberger is a Member of the XY Planning NetworkThe 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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Michelle Smalenberger is named to the "40 Under 40" List of Financial Advice Industry Leaders in InvestmentNews
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Michelle Smalenberger is Quoted on Kiplinger: "7 Common Money Conflicts in Marriage and How to Solve Them"
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Michelle Smalenberger is Quoted in Forbes: "Here's Why Bill Gross is Worried about the Markets"
Contact Michelle Smalenberger
Office Locations:
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21660 W Field Pkwy
Suite 118
Deer Park, IL 60010
