Advice-only financial planning
Financial planning for military and LGBTQ+ communities.
I work with individuals, couples, and families to make decisions about benefits, career changes, and retirement. You stay in control of your accounts, and I’ll help you decide what to change and walk you through the next steps.
Fee-only: I’m paid directly by clients. No commissions.
Let’s TalkStart with a complimentary introductory conversation.
Who we help
What could planning look like for you?
Whether you’re planning on your own or with a partner, we’ll start with the decisions in front of you. I help service members, veterans, military medical professionals, and LGBTQ+ clients think through what comes next.
Military retirement
A plan for life after the uniform.
You’re approaching military retirement and deciding how soon you’ll need to start a civilian job. We’ll look at your pension, potential VA disability benefits, savings, and expected expenses so you can see how much flexibility you have to take a break or wait for the right role.
Explore the example →Military medical professionals
Your career is demanding. Your plan should connect the dots.
You’re weighing a retention bonus against a move into civilian practice. We’ll compare what each path means for your take-home pay, student loans, and retirement timeline so you can decide whether another service commitment makes sense.
Explore the example →LGBTQ+ planning
Build a future that fits you both.
You and your partner are considering a move for one person’s career. We’ll compare what the move would mean for both incomes, health coverage, and your shared goals so you can decide whether it works for both of you.
Explore the example →Fictional examples for illustration only. These are not actual clients or promises of results.
Two ways to move forward.
Project Planning
A focused engagement with a clear scope and personalized recommendations. Build a comprehensive roadmap, work through a specific decision, or get a second opinion. I’ll walk you through your recommendations and answer questions during the project.
Comprehensive projects typically range from $2,500 to $8,000.
Explore project planning →Ongoing Planning
A continuing relationship as your life and priorities evolve. I’ll help you prioritize next steps, put your plan into action, and revisit it as circumstances change, with support between meetings.
$300 to $1,000/month for new clients
Explore ongoing planning →Thoughtful advice.
A practical plan.
A partner who knows your name.
Meet Dedrick.
I’m Dedrick Curtis, founder of Penny Earned Financial and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. As a Navy veteran and Army spouse, I understand that financial decisions don’t happen in isolation.
I bring clarity, strategy, and zero judgment to the process. Together, we’ll connect your goals, benefits, investments, and everyday priorities, then adjust as life changes.
Dedrick Curtis, CFP®, ChFC®, AFC®
More about Dedrick →Conversations beyond the planning meeting
In the Media & On Stage.
Podcast interviews, published contributions, and speaking for the military and financial planning communities.
A straightforward place to start.
Let’s talk
A complimentary conversation about your goals and whether we’re a good fit.
Define your plan
Agree on your priorities, the scope of our work, and a clear fee before getting started.
Move forward
Get personalized recommendations through a focused project or ongoing relationship.
A few questions, answered.
What does advice-only mean?
You pay for financial advice. I don’t sell financial products or manage investment accounts. I can recommend investment strategies and specific changes; you keep your accounts and carry out the transactions.
What is the difference between fee-only and advice-only?
Fee-only describes how I’m paid: directly by clients, without commissions. Advice-only describes the service: financial planning and investment recommendations, while you keep your accounts and execute investment changes yourself.
How much does financial planning cost?
Ongoing planning for new clients ranges from $300 to $1,000 per month. Comprehensive planning projects typically range from $2,500 to $8,000. You receive a personalized proposal and agree to the fee before work begins.
What financial decisions can you help military families with?
I help connect military benefits, retirement planning, tax planning, insurance needs, debt, savings, and investments. Planning can focus on a specific decision or coordinate your broader financial picture.
Can I start with a project and return later?
Yes. You can come back for another project or explore ongoing planning when you want continuing implementation support and plan updates.
Do I need a certain amount invested?
No. There’s no minimum investment balance, and you can keep your accounts where they are. Your fee is based on the scope of your planning.
Can we work together remotely?
Yes. Penny Earned Financial is a virtual practice, so meetings fit into your life wherever you’re based, subject to applicable registration requirements.
What happens on the introductory call?
We’ll talk about what brought you here, the decisions on your mind, and how I can help. It’s a chance for both of us to see whether working together makes sense, with no obligation to engage.
Let’s connect
You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
Start with a complimentary conversation about your priorities and whether we are a good fit.
Book an Introductory Call