About Us | Second Comma

Hi, I’m Mark.

The financial planner for business-owning families who want to be more intentional with their money.

I’ll be straight with you. If you want a financial advisor who will trade stocks to “beat the market” — I am not your guy.

Why so direct?

Simple — to me, it only makes sense to focus our time and energy on things we can control.

And I don’t want to waste your time — or mine — if we don’t agree on this fundamental financial planning philosophy.

It’s important to distinguish between things we can control and things we can’t.

So, what are the things we can’t control?

The stock market going up...

The stock market going down...

Interest rates going up...

Interest rates going down...

The earnings reports of companies...

While these factors can and do affect your finances, they’re not in your control.

So in my practice, while we will probably talk about them from time to time, we won’t spend time dwelling on these topics.

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Instead, we strategize, systematize, and automate the aspects of your financial life that you can control.

Your Monthly Expenses

We’ll help you create a clear plan to manage your monthly expenses by building a simple, structured budget that aligns with your priorities. By automating bills and savings, you’ll reduce stress and make day-to-day financial management easier. Our goal is to help you spend intentionally, ensuring every dollar supports your family’s needs and future goals, while giving you the confidence to focus on what matters most.

Your Long-Term Investment STrategies

We’ll work with you to build long-term investment strategies that align with your family’s goals and values. By simplifying complex investment decisions, we’ll help you create a plan that balances growth and security. Together, we’ll help ensure your investments are working toward milestones like retirement, education savings, and creating a lasting legacy, all while reflecting your unique risk tolerance and priorities. With a clear strategy in place, you’ll feel confident that your financial future is on track.

Your Asset Allocation

We’ll help you design an asset allocation strategy that balances growth and stability, tailored to your family’s financial goals and timeline. Together, we’ll help ensure your investments are diversified, helping reduce risk while maximizing potential returns. By aligning your portfolio with your priorities—whether it’s retirement, education savings, or long-term legacy planning—you’ll have a clear path forward and confidence in your financial future.

Your Income (to an extent)

We’ll help you maximize the potential of your income by creating a strategy that prioritizes your financial goals. While you may not control every aspect of your income, we’ll help ensure that what you earn is optimized for your family’s needs and future plans. From aligning spending habits with your priorities to directing surplus income toward savings and investments, we’ll help you make the most of what you have today to build the future you want tomorrow.

Your spending habits

We’ll help you take control of your spending by identifying patterns and aligning your habits with your financial goals. Together, we’ll focus on intentional spending—prioritizing what truly matters to your family while reducing unnecessary expenses. By creating a clear plan and structure, you’ll feel confident knowing your money is being used in ways that support both your current needs and long-term aspirations.

Your YEarly Tax Bill

Tax planning is a race, not a lap. We’ll help you look beyond this year’s tax bill and focus on strategies to lower your lifetime tax liability. Working closely with your CPA, we’ll align your financial decisions with your broader goals while staying compliant and proactive. Together, we’ll build a plan that balances tax efficiency with long-term growth, giving you clarity and confidence in your financial future.

A little bit more about me

I know this isn’t a job interview... but I think you should know my five greatest strengths anyway.

These are the strengths I bring to the table in our relationship.

They guide my philosophies regarding money and financial planning for single-income families.

And they are the foundation for every recommendation I make to my clients to help them pursue their goals.

I'm Knowledgeable

I've been learning about personal finance for a while now. And I've also got the licensing and experience to back it up.

I'm Honest

As a fiduciary financial advisor, honesty is an extremely important component of every client relationship

I'm DeliBerate

Everything I recommend is intentionally in pursuit of the goals that are most important to you

I'm Confident

And I use my confidence to help you make fearless decisions with your money to create the life you want for your family.

I’m Grateful

I believe actively practicing gratitude helps us deal with adversity and live more fulfilling lives.

And that's me

That's me in a nutshell, but I don't mean to identify as a nut.

But if I did, I'd be a macadamia nut.

Want some more fun facts about me?

Husband

I married Cristin in 2013.

I don't know what I did for God to put her in my life, but I'm glad I did it!

Father

Parker.

Emma.
Luke.

Teaching me to be a better man.

Amateur Homebrewer

I like 'em hoppy.

Double IPA? Yes please.

Triple IPA? Ok, that's getting silly.

My love language

It's 'Microsoft Excel'.

I love a good spreadsheet.

Can I get an "amen"?

What I do is help you take a breath.

As a financial planner specializing in single-income families, my goal is to free up your time
— and your mind —
by moving some of the most complex financial items off your plate.

Cash Flow +
Asset Allocation

We’ll help you guide your cash flow and balance your investments, so your money works toward your family’s goals.

401(k) + IRA contributions

We’ll help you align your 401(k) and IRA contributions with your long-term retirement goals, keeping your family’s future on track.

Investment strategies

We’ll guide you in choosing model portfolios that align with your goals, balancing growth and security while keeping your family’s future on track.

Worried that your <br/>financial strategy is <br/><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;" data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;">Missing something?</span></em>

Worried that your
financial strategy is
Missing something?

If you’re worried your financial strategy is missing something, we’re here to help. We’ll take a comprehensive look at your finances, identify any gaps, and provide a clear plan to align your strategy with your goals. With our guidance, you can move forward confidently, knowing nothing important has been overlooked.

Financial Planning
Financial planning is about creating a roadmap for your family’s future. We’ll help you prioritize your goals, organize your finances, and build a strategy that brings clarity to your decisions. With our guidance, you’ll have a plan that grows with you and helps keep your family’s future secure.
Retirement Planning
Retirement planning is about more than saving—it’s about building the future you envision for your family. We’ll work with you to create a personalized strategy, balancing your current needs with long-term goals. Together, we’ll help ensure your retirement plan aligns with your vision, so you can feel confident about the years ahead.
Tax Solutions
Tax planning is about looking at the big picture, not just this year’s return. We’ll help you identify strategies to reduce your lifetime tax liability while aligning with your financial goals. Working in collaboration with your CPA, we’ll create a proactive plan to ensure your taxes support your long-term vision.

Are You a Good Fit?

Our services are tailored for families who want clear financial decisions today, so your family can focus on what matters most—without financial stress clouding the future. If you’re ready to move from financial uncertainty to clarity, we’ll guide you there—step by step.

Are you our ‘best fit’ client? Learn more about partnering together

Next Steps

If this sounds like the partnership you’ve been searching for, let’s talk. Together, we can create a plan
that supports your family’s vision for the future while protecting the things that matter most.

My whole mission is to help single-income families who aren’t yet reaching their goals take the actions they need to pursue those goals, and I’d love the opportunity to do that with your family.

If you’re not quite ready, feel free to learn more!

Schedule a Consultation