Merino Wealth Management was founded by Chicago Financial Advisor Jessica Merino. We take a down-to- earth approach to support clients in all walks of life navigate their personal paths with a focus on:
At Merino Wealth we accept all clients without discrimination or bias, but we have a strong passion for helping women to get more out of their financial lives. Times have changed, so women in Generations X and Y are facing different challenges than their mothers and grandmothers. We understand that and believe that all women deserve to feel comfortable and confident in their financial decisions. From growing your wealth to strategically preserving it, we’re here to help!
Have you moved past the common sense solutions but don’t know what to do next?
Or maybe your advisor just doesn’t “get you”.
We help alleviate the headaches that may come with determining which strategies will work for you.
We explain your options in a simple and easy to understand way.
Our mission is to make financial planning less intimidating and move people closer to their goals. You work hard for the money you earn. Now it’s time to let your money work for you!
Our fee based financial planning approach will help you to streamline your short term and long-term financial decisions. We’ll start with where you’re at to determine the strategies that will work with your busy life so together we can navigate your financial path as things change along the way.
Comprehensive Financial Planning: This is great for the person who’s looking for help with their financial path and anything that pops up along the way. We’ll help you with whatever’s on your list of financial priorities, whether it’s the traditional goals like retiring at a certain age and sending your child to college, or something “out-of-the-box” like starting a business or planning a trip around the world. We essentially help you with the “ins and outs” of your finances!
Comprehensive clients receive:
These clients typically transfer their assets to Merino Wealth and will continue to build their wealth with our help. Each year you’ll renew your services with Merino Wealth and we’ll travel down your financial path together.
This service is great for busy, successful people who have a lot going on and want to make smart financial decisions as their careers and lives evolve. Typically these clients have: $100k or more to invest at Merino Wealth or at least $3k/month to allocate towards their goals or complex needs such as business ownership or a high tax bracket.
Project-Based Financial Planning: This service is great for the person who wants to address a few specific goals or would like strategies that they can tackle on their own. Whether it’s to help you get to the next level or confirmation that you’re doing the right things we’ll tailor the project to your specific needs.
Project-Based clients receive:
These clients typically engage with Merino Wealth on a short term basis and then take our ideas and run with them. They pay an hourly rate for advice with quarterly e-mail check ins free of charge (for the rest of the year). As they get to the next level or encounter new financial crossroads we’re always happy to help with future projects or a comprehensive relationship.
Merino Wealth Virtual Financial Planning Portfolio through CLS investments: This service is great for the person who wants the “online experience” with a little bit of guidance. Our goal-based investment management platform puts you in control of opening your account while still providing you with the experience and knowledge of a financial advisor. With this user-friendly program, you can pinpoint your risk comfort zone, build an investment plan that’s right for you by allocating funds in one of our ETF based portfolios with a 1.15% annual management fee.
Virtual Financial Planning clients receive:
Virtual Financial Planning clients typically manage their financial planning needs on their own, but utilize Merino Wealth for their investment management needs. These accounts have a $5K asset minimum and are great for the person who wants a “hands off” approach to their planning, while receiving some guidance on how to manage their assets in a manner that’s in line with their goals and objectives.
Jessica’s interest in finances started long before she knew what financial planning was, back when she was about 9 years old. For birthdays, she surpassed the usual doll and board game requests and instead asked for shares of stock, as she was much more fascinated with the stock market. While in high school she began investing her own money which lead her to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Investments, & Banking from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2004. While attending the University she studied abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico and London, England and continues to enjoy travelling in her free time. Fast-forward to today, where she advises successful professionals and entrepreneurs to streamline their financial decisions.
Merino Wealth Management was the next logical step for Jessica after a decades-long distinguished career in financial services. Jessica has helped clients in all walks of life, but has become an expert in helping female entrepreneurs in Generations X & Y. She understands their challenges so her goal is to help them feel more confident and less stressed as they pursue their financial goals. She loves her work because she finds that it leads to a domino effect of financial empowerment as her clients help themselves and others.
In her free time Jessica serves on the Board of Directors for Step Up and co-chairs the Financial Advisors Special Interest Group for the Professional Women’s Club of Chicago. She’s a member of the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owner’s and is also pursuing her CFP® certification to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM. Jessica lives on the Near North Side of Chicago with her wonderful husband Mike and their adorable dog Finnegan. They both love to cook and frequently spend their weekends hosting gatherings in their condo with friends and family.
Addie has always been a people-person who enjoys working with and helping others. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Consumer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2002. Addie has lived in three different states, as many countries, and her experience as a military spouse has enabled her to adapt quickly to new situations. One of her proudest professional moments took place nearly five years ago when she received her certification as an Accredited Financial Counselor® through AFCPE®.
Spending the last several years raising two rambunctious boys, Addie has continued to develop her professional skills in several volunteer capacities. Her experiences include preparing taxes for VITA, teaching financial readiness classes for military families, preparing first-term Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen in financial responsibility, coaching youth soccer, and is very proud to have spent seven years as a Military Key Spouse, an integral liaison between military spouses and their units.
When not light-saber battling with her boys, Addie enjoys date nights with her husband, trying out new recipes in the kitchen, exploring the neighborhood on long walks with friends, and ticking off life’s experiences from her ever growing bucket list.
Lydia fell into the world of finance by happy accident. Originally from Ann Arbor, MI, Lydia went to Michigan State University, where she earned a BFA in Theatre in 2014. Although she didn’t study finance, Lydia became interested after graduating from college.
Once she move to Chicago, Lydia began to realize how little she and her friends knew about basic money management. With a little bit of research, she was able to see how financial know-how could change her life and the lives of her friends for the better. Lydia has worked as an administrative assistant for several financial institutions, and is so excited to be working for an advisor who helps people navigate their financial journeys and fulfill their dreams.
When not working, Lydia enjoys acting in and directing plays throughout Chicago, cooking for her friends, and walking along Lake Michigan.
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