You

One Life / Your Time - Make Your Journey Extraordinary

You’ve spent a lifetime building success — growing your career, nurturing your family, and creating opportunities for the future. As retirement approaches, the focus shifts toward living with intention, enjoying what you’ve built, and preparing to leave a lasting legacy. It’s about making the most of today, while ensuring the years ahead are secure and your loved ones are provided for, not burdened.

Us

"You & Us"

Retirement is a turning point — a chance to live with the same purpose and intention that built your success. At McCarley & Cook, we help individuals and their families navigate this new chapter with clarity and confidence. With more than two decades of combined experience, we craft thoughtful financial strategies designed to align your wealth with the life you envision. As fiduciaries, we align every decision with your values and the life you’ve worked to build.

Why McCarley & Cook Financial Planners?

 

Focused Expertise 

CFP® and CFA Professionals

We specialize almost exclusively in retirement planning for individuals and families nearing or entering retirement.

 

 

Fiduciary Responsibility

Commission-Free

Our advice is transparent, objective, and always aligned with your best interests—no exceptions.

 

Personalized Relationships

Boutique Firm

We intentionally limit our practice size, allowing us to offer attentive, personal service to every client. You’ll never feel like "just another number here".

“Because life deserves more than a model portfolio...”

Our Services

 

Retirement Planning

Your Life, Thoughtfully Planned: Retirement isn’t just a destination — it’s a new beginning. It comes with a lot of moving parts. Our role is to fit them together — carefully and intentionally — to create a plan that supports the life you want to live. With Us, you’ll have a team that not only guides you through the complexities, but ensures your retirement is prepared for both the expected and the unexpected.
 

Legacy and Estate Planning

Preserving the wealth you’ve built and passing it on thoughtfully takes more than good intentions — it requires careful planning and the right guidance. We work closely with your estate attorney and tax advisors to ensure your financial plan and estate plan are fully aligned. Our role is to help you understand your options, navigate key decisions, and ensure your legacy reflects the care and purpose with which you built it.
 

Tax Planning

Good tax planning helps you preserve more of what you've worked hard to earn. By strategically coordinating income sources like Social Security, pension distributions, and investment withdrawals, we aim to lower your overall tax bill and prevent unnecessary Medicare surcharges. Our thoughtful approach helps your money last longer and gives you more freedom in retirement.
 

Investment Planning

Retirement is personal — and so is the way your portfolio should be structured. Investments shouldn't create anxiety, they should provide comfort and confidence. We build truly customized portfolios carefully matched to your personal income needs, balancing growth and security.
 

Charitable Giving

For many of our clients, giving back is an important part of life — a way to support the people, causes, and communities that matter most to them. Whether it's providing opportunities in education, advancing the arts and sciences, or helping those less fortunate, charitable giving allows you to make a lasting impact beyond your financial success.

Your Advisory Team

Client Portals

Blogs

As spring arrives and the weather warms up, many people turn their attention to cleaning out closets and organizing their homes. According to a recent survey, about 80% of Americans have spring cleaning on their radar this year. 1 While most focus on the physical space, spring is also a great time to get your financial house in order. Refreshing your financial habits can reduce stress, provide structure, and uncover new opportunities to save money...
What do you do when faced with a complex financial challenge? Do you seek an immediate solution, or do you take the time to fully understand the issue before acting? The way you approach financial decisions often depends on your perception of time - specifically, how much time you believe you have to respond. 1 When dealing with complex financial matters, urgency can sometimes create pressure on us to act quickly. However, reacting too quickly...
Tax season might not spark joy, but a refund sure can. In 2025, the IRS estimates the average federal income tax refund will top $3,170. 1 That means a lot of folks are suddenly asking the same question: What should I do with it? Splurge? Save? Invest? The good news: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But there are a few options that tend to deliver more peace of mind and long-term upside. Here are five smart...