Helping Finances Bloom: The WealthGarden f.s. helps clients through times of transition

By Alison Stanton

As the founding partner and chief compliance officer of the WealthGarden f.s. in El Segundo, Josephti Cruz, CDFA®, gets immense satisfaction from working with all of her clients — no matter where they are in their financial journey.

“I love supporting my clients with their financial lives and helping them reach their maximum potential,” she says.
But while she is always happy to meet with clients who are figuratively just starting to plant their financial garden, Cruz says she feels she is particularly useful to individuals who are experiencing some sort of transition.

Or, keeping with the garden theme of her company’s name, Cruz can help those who are being “transplanted” — either by choice or due to circumstances beyond their control.
From couples who are about to start a family and those who are changing careers to those approaching retirement age and more, Cruz has firsthand knowledge and experience with how a major life transition can impact finances.

“I went through an amicable divorce almost seven years ago,” she says, adding that she and her former spouse share two children.

“I was so lucky that one of my clients referred me to her daughter, who had gotten divorced the year before. She was amazing and mentored me during my divorce. But what if someone doesn’t have a knowledgeable mentor? That’s where I can come in.”

As Cruz discovered, divorce has three main facets to it: the legal, emotional and financial.

“My family, friends and a therapist helped me address my emotional needs, and our mediator took care of the legal part, but until I found my mentor, I was lost in terms of the intricacies of what to consider on the financial side, and I’m a financial adviser. Lawyers and mediators simply don’t specialize in — and often don’t enjoy — crunching numbers.”

Cruz was inspired by her experience with her mentor to help others who are going through a divorce.

“I found myself mentoring friends of friends that were referred to me. It just feels like there is an overall lack of online and professional resources.”

In addition to divorce, Cruz says other life transitions require specific financial approaches and a plan.

In the case of a job-related transition — for instance, a promotion, new job or career change — Cruz will discuss with her client the best ways to adapt to the increase or decrease in compensation.

“Career changes can generate additional income or decrease your income. If it is going down, we can discuss the question ‘How does one pivot?’ If the income is going up, we can discuss the best ways to utilize the extra money,” she says.

“For instance, you can use the extra income to pay off debt and add to your savings. If you have multiple debts or goals you’ll be saving for, I can help my clients do this strategically.”

When it comes to couples who are getting married, Cruz says the financial side of the relationship can sometimes be challenging.

“Two individuals combining finances can get tricky. A neutral third party, like me, can help a couple find the best way to combine their finances in a way that is comfortable for both.”

As for couples who are ready to start a family, and/or want to begin saving for college, Cruz enjoys helping them achieve these “wonderful but expensive” situations.

“I will go over how you save for these goals while still making sure you have enough to enjoy your life today and for your future retirement.”

And for those approaching retirement, Cruz recognizes how this time can be both positive and financially stressful.

“Transitioning from saving to spending can often be jarring for a working professional nearing retirement. How does one replicate the income stream they are used to and give themselves the best chance of making their hard-earned savings last for the rest of their life?”

For those clients going through a divorce, Cruz offers empathetic and helpful advice and solutions.

“Going from ‘we’ to ‘me’ is an adjustment and usually involves a reduction of household wages and savings. It’s a new beginning, and I can guide someone getting divorced by helping them design a new budget, and devise a strategy for retirement on one income,” she says.

“Working with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) like me can help an individual or couple in the middle of a divorce plan equitable settlements.”

To help reach even more people who are going through a divorce, Cruz and one of her WealthGarden partners, Jade Eagles, are co-hosting a new podcast that will be released in the second week of March.

Called “Financially Ever After,” the podcast, which will air twice a month, will discuss the financial implications of divorce before, during and after, and will also answer common questions and offer practical tips.

“Like me, Jade is also divorced, and we feel passionate about changing the stigma around divorce from a negative or shameful tragedy to something more hopeful and positive,” Cruz says.

“Yes, the transition from ‘we’ to ‘me’ will definitely have its challenging moments, but this is your opportunity to take this event and turn it into an opportunity — a second chance to build the life you want. It’s a mindset shift. We can wallow in despair or we can embrace this challenge and achieve great things.”

Cruz recalls that when she was getting divorced, her friends reacted in different ways.

“Some avoided me for a while. Others didn’t know what to say. Do they offer condolences like a death or congratulations? It could be a bit of both, but it’s OK to ‘feel all the feels,’ move through it, and move on to something beautiful and better.”

The “Financially Ever After” podcast will be available in March via Apple, Spotify and all major podcast apps.

Regardless of what type of life transition her clients are experiencing, Cruz’s clients can rest assured that she will take the time to get to know them as people — not just as facts and figures on bank statements or as a label like “newly married” or “about to retire.”

“I believe the way I proactively dive into the emotions of money is incredibly unique and necessary for my clients to move forward, be more successful and feel good about the work we’re doing,” she says.

Once she has worked with her clients to get their finances in order, Cruz uses a garden-themed schedule to continue to meet with them throughout the year and make sure their money is growing and flourishing.

For example, Cruz reviews every client’s portfolio at the beginning of the calendar year and will go over their yearly income needs and budget, and makes updates as needed.

In the spring, Cruz will review each client’s incapacity/disability plan, suggesting changes if necessary.

Cruz likes to meet with clients over the summer to discuss their overall goals, and in the late fall she will go over their legacy plan, as well as give them any needed tax-related guidance.

No matter what brings people into the WealthGarden f.s., or what challenges or changes they might be going through, Cruz is honored that they choose to work with her and her team, and she looks forward to creating long-lasting relationships with everyone.

“I am here to be my clients’ and their loved ones’ trusted partner for the rest of their lives,” she says.

The WealthGarden f.s.
1730 E. Holly Avenue, Suite 838, El Segundo
310-571-8489, josephti@thewealthgardenfs.com, www.thewealthgardenfs.com.
Josephti Cruz, CDFA®, maintains FINRA licenses Series 7, 63, and 65.
Her CA Insurance License is 0K21081.