Craig Austad
Denver, CO
“My approach with clients is simple; help them thrive in both their personal and financial lives”
Craig collaborates with many clients in the "sandwich generation," who juggle the responsibilities of caring for aging parents, supporting college-aged children, and saving for retirement. Managing these competing financial priorities requires a clear and well-structured strategy. Through a comprehensive college planning process, he strives to make higher education feel more affordable, while ensuring it aligns seamlessly with broader financial goals.
Craig specializes in late-stage college planning, helping families navigate financial aid and make informed college decisions to minimize reliance on student loans and maximize resources.
Craig works with clients of all ages, from retirees to young families, helping them build financial security and manage investments. His goal is to simplify financial planning, reduce stress, and enhance their lives.
After graduating college, I began my career in the accounting department of a small manufacturing company, where I was introduced to the company's 401(k) plan for the first time. I quickly discovered that the 401(k) was far more engaging than most of my other responsibilities, sparking my interest in financial planning. A few years later, I joined a firm that managed one of the retirement plans for the City and County of Denver, further deepening my expertise. Eventually, I earned my CFP® designation and worked with a wealth management firm specializing in business owners. However, I realized I wanted more flexibility to truly serve my clients' needs. This led me to establish Flourish Financial Partners, where I could help clients thrive on their financial journeys.
Craig Austad is an investment adviser representative with Savvy Advisors, Inc. (“Savvy Advisors”). Savvy Advisors is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Flourish Financial Partners is used as a marketing name only and is not separately registered. All advisory services are offered through Savvy Advisors.
Alongside retirement planning and tax-efficient strategies, I specialize in late-stage college planning. By guiding clients through the complexities of the financial aid process and its many components, I help them make more informed decisions when selecting colleges. This approach is designed to enable families to reduce the burden of excessive student loans while maximizing their financial resources.
I collaborate with a diverse group of clients, from retirees seeking to secure their retirement income to young professionals and families looking to build a strong financial foundation for the decades ahead. My focus is on working with individuals who understand the value of partnering with a professional—delegating the complexities of financial planning and investment management to help enhance their lives and alleviate unnecessary stress.
I focus on tax planning and optimization because they are crucial aspects to consider when managing your finances. By strategizing efficient ways to minimize tax liabilities and maximize savings, my clients can plan for the future. Additionally, I also help clients with retirement planning, Investment management, and cash flow planning because they are essential for maintaining a healthy financial balance.
Many of my clients belong to the "sandwich generation," juggling the demands of caring for aging parents, supporting children through college, and saving for their own retirement. Successfully managing this "triple threat" requires a well-thought-out strategy to help them stay on track with their financial goals. One of the most impactful steps we can take is to guide these clients through our comprehensive college planning process. This approach helps create a clear plan, helps make college feel more affordable, and ensures that education expenses are balanced with other important financial priorities.
My approach with clients is simple; help them thrive in both their personal and financial lives. I want clients to stay focused on what matters most to them, rather than the things that are out of their control. If I can craft a financial plan that aligns their finances and investments with their values, my hope is that it can significantly improve their lives and reduce their stress.
I truly value the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Helping my clients achieve their financial goals empowers them to focus on living the life they aspire to, and that's what makes my work so fulfilling.
When I was looking for a new firm to partner with, I had an old friend and coach give me some great advice. He told me the two most important things were 1) Do they share your values and 2) Are they looking downfield? Everything I’ve seen Savvy do has been built around the vision of helping people live the lives they aspire to, which is a core value of mine. For them to be pairing those values with their technology offering made them a great choice for me and my clients. Everyone on their operations team has been fantastic, and it allows me to spend more time with my clients.
Neither Savvy Wealth, nor Savvy Advisors compensates directly for testimonials or endorsements provided herein, by advisers. However advisors may have an indirect financial incentive to provide testimonials.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
