Financial Planner
Please tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
My name is Chelse Stevens. I am an Account Executive with Fidelity Investments in Knoxville, Tenn. I have been helping individuals reach their financial goals for more than five years. I went to Maryville College in Maryville, Tenn., where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in business and minors in accounting and Spanish. I also played soccer and tennis.
I was named a candidate for Woman of the Year with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society for my philanthropic work in the community. I started my career with Capital Financial Group as a Financial Planner and transitioned to Fidelity as an Account Executive in 2014. I have a handsome husband and two rambunctious dogs (Lucca and Nola).
What does a financial planner do?
A financial planner helps people understand how the money they earn can work harder for them. Our job and passion is to help people navigate one of the most important topics to them: personal finance. I help people figure out how to take care of not only themselves, but their families for the long run. My goal is to make their lives more enjoyable because they have confidence that the money they saved could be enough for them to live the kind of life they want to enjoy.
Why is financial planning important?
Think of a financial planner like your family practice doctor who makes sure that all of your vitals are good and keeps you healthy. A financial planner does the same thing for your finances. It’s really important to make sure you or someone you trust is watching your money so it is doing what it needs to do to take care of your family now, and for the long haul.
When/how did you know you wanted to be a financial planner?
I realized I wanted to be a financial planner when I was a senior in college. Ever since I started working at the age of 13, I had always been good with money, and I enjoyed the finance part of what I learned in college. I met a financial planner when I was a senior and realized that was what I wanted to do in life: help people deal with money.
What kind of training does it take to be a financial planner?
There are a lot of different training programs for becoming a financial planner. First, they should have a college degree, preferably in business of some kind. Then they must get a license that qualifies them to talk about different financial options. Then, after three years in the business, they can test for their CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation. Even after you get your certifications, you must take extra continuing education courses to stay current with your licenses. I am always learning!
What is a typical day like for you?
Each day I come into the office and look at my task list to see what I have planned for the day – whose plan do I need to work on before they come in? Whom do I need to call to wish a “Happy Birthday?” Whom am I meeting with today? On a typical day, I meet someone new to help, but I also continue to help existing clients. Every day I learn something new, for instance, about a new financial tool that people might have questions about or how to fix a new numbers problem for a client so that they can be confident about their finances. I also learn about what’s happening in the stock market.
What do you love most about your job?
I love that moment after you have helped someone with their financial plan. There is a sense of relief and gratitude for making the process easy, and knowing that they now have one less thing to worry about.
What are some challenges that come with your job?
Because money is a very personal topic, and sometimes difficult to understand, there can be a “language barrier” when explaining how personal finance works. Educating people to help them understand what some of the industry terms mean in plain language is an important part of what I do.
What is something interesting that most people don’t know about financial planning?
Many people don’t realize that financial planners can help you manage your paycheck after you retire. It’s also not uncommon for us to share in the personal life events that matter most to people, like the loss of a loved one or the birth of a child. We communicate with people not only about money, but also about the moments that matter most in their lives.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
When I’m not working, I like to spend time with my husband Scott and our two boxer dogs, Lucca and Nola. We enjoy hiking, playing sports and spending time with our friends and family in lovely Knoxville, Tenn.
Do you have any tips for parents and kids about money and finances?
Save, save, save. Keep the experience visual and use a clear jar for saving. Make it a family affair. Also, know that this is a process of trial and error. Parents can also think about matching their kids’ savings. For example, if the kids saved $20 towards a long-term goal, the parents can match a portion of their savings amount. This is especially helpful when kids are saving towards larger items, like a bike, car or college. Overall, our parents are our role models when it comes to developing healthy habits: saving, spending less than you make and keeping track of what you have. If, as a parent, you don’t know whether you have the tools readily available to set a good standard, turn to professionals, friends and other resources that can help coach you on your way.
Fidelity has a Viewpoint article on Fidelity.com about how parents can help their kids learn more about money: www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/tips-for-raising-a-saver.
Thanks so much!