You built this.
Now build the legacy.
Fee-only financial planning & investment management for first-generation wealth builders —rewriting the story of money in their families.
Does this sound like you?
When you’re a First, the financial safety net didn’t exist. You built your own.
We partner with individuals, families, and entrepreneurs who’ve built success from the ground up.
Hiring a financial planner? That’s new territory. No one in your family has done this before.
You’re ready for guidance that feels aligned, not intimidating. Advice that honors where you came from and helps you build what’s next.
Success has evolved. The questions are bigger now — more strategic, more intentional.
- How do I balance saving and investing for my family with still having the freedom to travel, be present and enjoy life?
- How do we protect what we’ve built, legally, financially, and emotionally, in a system that wasn’t built for us?
- How do I make smarter decisions around taxes, equity comp, and investments, without second-guessing every move?
What if you had a financial guide who understood what it means to be the First and could help you make your next move with purpose?
You built this.
Now build the legacy.
Fee-only financial planning & investment management for first-generation wealth builders
—rewriting the story of money in their families.
As Seen In
Does this sound like you?
When you’re a First, the financial safety net didn’t exist. You built your own.
We partner with individuals, families, and entrepreneurs who’ve built success from the ground up.
Hiring a financial planner? That’s new territory. No one in your family has done this before.
You’re ready for guidance that feels aligned, not intimidating. Advice that honors where you came from and helps you build what’s next.
Success has evolved. The questions are bigger now — more strategic, more intentional.
- How do I balance saving and investing for my family with still having the freedom to travel, be present and enjoy life?
- How do we protect what we’ve built, legally, financially, and emotionally, in a system that wasn’t built for us?
- How do I make smarter decisions around taxes, equity comp, and investments, without second-guessing every move?
What if you had a financial guide who understood what it means to be the First and could help you make your next move with purpose?
Enter FirstGen Wealth: A Financial Life Planning Practice
Enter FirstGen Wealth: A Financial Life Planning Practice
Independent
We’re free to design solutions that truly fit your life, never tied to any company’s products. Every partner and tool is chosen for value, not obligation, so your plan reflects your goals, not someone else’s incentives.
Independent
We’re free to design solutions that truly fit your life, never tied to any company’s products. Every partner and tool is chosen for value, not obligation, so your plan reflects your goals, not someone else’s incentives.
Fee-Only
We don’t earn commissions or sell products. Our advice is transparent and always in your best interest. We charge a clear, flat fee in dollars, so you always know exactly what you’re paying and why.
Fiduciary
As fiduciaries, we’re legally and ethically bound to act in your best interest 100% of the time. We put your needs above our own, disclose any conflicts of interest, and follow a strict Code of Ethics.
Virtual
Based in Chicago, we work with clients nationwide through secure, virtual meetings — making professional financial planning accessible wherever life takes you.
Virtual
Based in Chicago, we work with clients nationwide through secure, virtual meetings — making professional financial planning accessible wherever life takes you.
Independent
We’re free to design solutions that truly fit your life, never tied to any company’s products. Every partner and tool is chosen for value, not obligation, so your plan reflects your goals, not someone else’s incentives.
Independent
We’re free to design solutions that truly fit your life, never tied to any company’s products. Every partner and tool is chosen for value, not obligation, so your plan reflects your goals, not someone else’s incentives.
Fee-Only
We don’t earn commissions or sell products. Our advice is transparent and always in your best interest. We charge a clear, flat fee in dollars, so you always know exactly what you’re paying and why.
Fiduciary
As fiduciaries, we’re legally and ethically bound to act in your best interest 100% of the time. We put your needs above our own, disclose any conflicts of interest, and follow a strict Code of Ethics.
Virtual
Based in Chicago, we work with clients nationwide through secure, virtual meetings — making professional financial planning accessible wherever life takes you.
Meet your financial guide:
Valerie Rivera, CFP®
Founder & Financial Planner.
Meet Valerie Rivera, CFP®
Founder & Financial Planner.
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with nearly 20 years of experience advising clients with $10–$20 million portfolios. Now using that same expertise to empower First Gen Wealth Builders.
- Wife, mother, homeowner, and business owner bringing real-world perspective to every financial plan.
- A proud First Gen who built her own financial safety net and reached Coast FI by 40. Passionate about tax planning, travel, and helping others design lives of freedom and purpose. My six-year-old has already visited more than 15 countries, and I’m always planning the next four.
- Culturally competent, inclusive, and a proud LGBTQ+ ally committed to financial equity and social justice.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™
Learn More About Me
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with nearly 20 years of experience advising clients with $10–$20 million portfolios. Now using that same expertise to empower First Gen Wealth Builders.
- Wife, mother, homeowner, and business owner bringing real-world perspective to every financial plan.
- A proud First Gen who built her own financial safety net and reached Coast FI by 40. Passionate about tax planning, travel, and helping others design lives of freedom and purpose. My six-year-old has already visited more than 15 countries, and I’m always planning the next four.
- Culturally competent, inclusive, and a proud LGBTQ+ ally committed to financial equity and social justice.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™
Learn More About Me
Our Services
Your goals and values guide everything we do. Our planning covers all areas of your financial life, including:
Our Services
Your goals and values guide everything we do. Our planning covers all areas of your financial life, including:
Case Studies
A collection of case studies demonstrating how clarity, strategy, and purpose can turn financial success into lasting freedom.
Meet Judy and Mark
Ages 35 and 39 — Chicago
Judy, a product manager in tech, and Mark, a physician, built their success through education and perseverance. Judy will fly anywhere for a Bad Bunny or Taylor Swift concert. Mark is a Cubs fan who makes it to as many games as his schedule allows. As first-generation professionals, they’re proud of how far they’ve come — but with that progress came new complexity.
Judy’s income included a growing mix of RSUs and bonuses. Mark’s steady medical salary was offset by lingering student loans. They wanted to understand their full financial picture, balance career and family goals, and turn their hard-earned success into long-term stability.
- Judy’s company stock had grown quickly and now made up the majority of their net worth (a good problem to have, but one that brought new risk).
- Mark’s medical school loans were large and complex, requiring a mix of private and federal repayment strategies.
- They wanted to buy their first home while managing debt, investments, and lifestyle goals.
- Both had demanding jobs that left little time to coordinate finances or plan ahead.
- They were considering egg freezing but weren’t sure how to fit the cost and timing into their broader plan.
- Their benefits were underused and neither had completed basic estate planning or reviewed beneficiary designations.
They needed clarity with a coordinated plan that simplified decisions and aligned money with their life goals.
- Equity and tax strategy: Diversified Judy’s RSUs and automated future sales to reduce concentration risk and avoid tax shocks.
- Student loan plan: Modeled payoff and forgiveness scenarios to clear private loans early while optimizing federal repayment options.
- Homeownership: Defined their all-in budget, modeled maintenance and update costs, and connected them with a vetted agent, attorney, and inspector.
- Fertility and family planning: Compared employer benefits to maximize fertility coverage and minimize out-of-pocket costs.
- Benefits optimization: Combined health and insurance benefits across employers for the strongest coverage and savings.
- Estate planning: Leveraged Judy’s workplace benefit to complete foundational estate documents at no cost.
- Cash flow system: Automated transfers for bills, travel, and long-term investing.
- Values-based buckets: Created a dedicated travel and concert fund to support what they love while building wealth.
Each step turned financial complexity into coordination and peace of mind.
With their plan in place, Judy and Mark finally feel confident about the future they’re building. Their student loan strategy gave Mark a clear path to freedom from debt, and Judy’s diversified portfolio allows her to focus on growth instead of volatility. Their new home represents stability and choice, not stress.
By freezing their eggs now, they gained both time and flexibility to decide on parenthood when it feels right. With estate planning complete and benefits optimized, they’ve built the protection and structure their busy lives needed. They travel freely, spend intentionally, and know their money is working for them — turning success into stability and purpose.
Meet Sofia
Age 32 — Los Angeles
A former marketing executive turned design consultant, Sofia built a thriving creative business from the ground up. She lives with her rescue dog and recharges outdoors whenever she can. She never misses Love Is Blind and already has her sights set on launching her own furniture line.
Success came quickly, but so did chaos. Income fluctuated, taxes were unpredictable, and investing fell behind. She wanted a clear system to simplify her finances, reduce stress, and make her money work as hard as she does.
- Sofia’s business was thriving, but behind the scenes, her finances felt scattered.
- Income varied month to month, making it hard to plan or pay herself consistently.
- Her accountant focused on filing taxes, not strategy.
- She had savings but no structure—what was business, spendable, or investable blurred together.
- She wanted to invest beyond her business but wasn’t sure where to start.
- She needed a system that supported growth while protecting her time and lifestyle.
- Right team: Hired a proactive accountant aligned with her goals.
- Entity optimization: Elected S-Corp to reduce SE taxes and unlock retirement options.
- Strategic salary: Sized to maximize Solo 401(k) & Social Security while staying tax-efficient.
- Automated savings: Payroll with built-in retirement deductions.
- Clear cash buckets: Separate business/personal reserves to stabilize cash flow.
- Tax visibility: Quarterly projections to eliminate surprises.
- Risk coverage: Added LTD and term life.
Each step transformed her financial foundation from reactive to intentional.
Sofia now runs her business like the CEO she is. Income is consistent, taxes proactive, and investing aligned with her freedom goals. Next up: hiring her first employee to scale on her terms.
Meet Ethan and Matt
Ages 42 and 48 — Seattle
Ethan, a management consultant, brings structure and financial stability. Matt, a therapist, brings purpose and balance. They are weekend travelers who love cooking new recipes, hosting friends, and planning their next adventure together.
Together, they share a vision of family rooted in care and legacy — supporting Ethan’s mom today, preparing for adoption, and one day giving back through community-focused scholarships. They wanted a plan that would help them live their values while building lasting generational wealth.
- Balancing several priorities at once.
- Saving for adoption while preparing for Matt’s private-practice launch.
- Planning an ADU for rental income now and future family housing.
- Finances spread across multiple accounts without a clear system.
- No estate plan and unsure where to begin.
- Wanted today’s decisions to reflect their legacy vision.
- Needed structure, clarity, and alignment across life domains.
- Clarified timeline: 7-year roadmap for adoption, ADU, and the practice launch.
- Structured savings: Dedicated Adoption, Business Launch, and Family Support buckets.
- ADU financing: Modeled costs & rent; HELOC payoff plan timed pre-launch.
- Tax & investing: Use lower-income years for Roth conversions while staying invested.
- Benefits review: Optimized health, retirement, and tax-advantaged options.
- Estate & family planning: Updated their plan and began Ethan’s mom’s.
- Risk protection: Reviewed life and disability coverage.
Each step connected their goals into a unified, values-driven system.
They now have a coordinated plan aligning adoption, real estate, and caregiving. ADU build is underway with a clear repayment path; investing and estate planning reflect their long-term vision.
MEMBER OF
Our Services
Your goals and values guide everything we do. Our planning covers all areas of your financial life, including:
Case Studies
A collection of case studies demonstrating how clarity, strategy, and purpose can turn financial success into lasting freedom.
Meet Judy and Mark, Ages 35 and 39 — Chicago
Judy, a product manager in tech, and Mark, a physician, built their success through education and perseverance. Judy will fly anywhere for a Bad Bunny or Taylor Swift concert. Mark is a Cubs fan who makes it to as many games as his schedule allows. As first-generation professionals, they’re proud of how far they’ve come, but with that progress came new complexity.
Judy’s income included a growing mix of RSUs and bonuses. Mark’s steady medical salary was offset by lingering student loans. They wanted to understand their full financial picture, balance career and family goals, and turn their hard-earned success into long-term stability.
The Challenge
- Judy’s company stock had grown quickly and now made up the majority of their net worth (a good problem to have, but one that brought new risk).
- Mark’s medical school loans were large and complex, requiring a mix of private and federal repayment strategies.
- They wanted to buy their first home while managing debt, investments, and lifestyle goals.
- Both had demanding jobs that left little time to coordinate finances or plan ahead.
- They were considering egg freezing but weren’t sure how to fit the cost and timing into their broader plan.
- Their benefits were underused and neither had completed basic estate planning or reviewed beneficiary designations.
They needed clarity with a coordinated plan that simplified decisions and aligned money with their life goals.
The Approach
- Equity and tax strategy: Diversified Judy’s RSUs and automated future sales to reduce concentration risk and avoid tax shocks.
- Student loan plan: Modeled payoff and forgiveness scenarios to clear private loans early while optimizing federal repayment options.
- Homeownership: Defined their all-in budget, modeled maintenance and update costs, and connected them with a vetted agent, attorney, and inspector.
- Fertility and family planning: Compared employer benefits to maximize fertility coverage and minimize out-of-pocket costs, helping them decide to freeze eggs now for future flexibility.
- Benefits optimization: Combined health and insurance benefits across employers for the strongest overall coverage and savings.
- Estate planning: Leveraged Judy’s workplace benefit to complete foundational estate documents at no cost.
- Cash flow system: Automated transfers for bills, travel, and long-term investing so saving and spending flowed through a shared structure.
- Values-based buckets: Created a dedicated travel and concert fund to support what they love while still building wealth.
Each step turned financial complexity into coordination and peace of mind.
The Results
With their plan in place, Judy and Mark finally feel confident about the future they’re building. Their student loan strategy gave Mark a clear path to freedom from debt, and Judy’s diversified portfolio allows her to focus on growth instead of volatility. Their new home represents stability and choice, not stress.
By freezing their eggs now, they gained both time and flexibility to decide on parenthood when it feels right. With estate planning complete and benefits optimized, they’ve built the protection and structure their busy lives needed. They travel freely, spend intentionally, and know their money is working for them, turning success into stability and purpose.
Meet Sofia, Age 32 — Los Angeles
A former marketing executive turned design consultant, Sofia built a thriving creative business from the ground up. She lives with her rescue dog and recharges outdoors whenever she can. She never misses Love Is Blind and already has her sights set on launching her own furniture line.
Success came quickly, but so did chaos. Income fluctuated, taxes were unpredictable, and investing fell behind. She wanted a clear system to simplify her finances, reduce stress, and make her money work as hard as she does.
The Challenge
- Sofia’s business was thriving, but behind the scenes, her finances felt scattered.
- Income varied month to month, making it hard to plan or pay herself consistently.
- Her accountant focused on filing taxes, not strategy.
- She had savings but no structure. What belonged to the business, what she could spend, and what should be invested all blurred together.
- She wanted to invest beyond her business to build long-term wealth, but wasn’t sure where to start.
- She needed a system that gave her clarity and control, one that supported growth while protecting her time and lifestyle.
The Approach
We built that system from the ground up, connecting her business and personal finances into one coordinated plan.
- Right team: Helped Sofia interview and hire a proactive accountant who aligned with her goals.
- Entity optimization: Partnered with that accountant to elect S-Corporation status, reducing self-employment taxes and unlocking new retirement options.
- Strategic salary: Set a salary high enough to maximize Solo 401(k) contributions and Social Security, but still tax-efficient.
- Automated savings: Implemented payroll with built-in retirement deductions so investing happened automatically.
- Clear cash buckets: Created separate business and personal reserves to stabilize cash flow and show exactly what was available for reinvestment or hiring.
- Tax visibility: Built quarterly projections so she always knew what was coming, no more April surprises.
- Risk coverage: Added long-term disability and life insurance to protect income and future plans.
Each step transformed her financial foundation from reactive to intentional.
The Results
Sofia now runs her business like the CEO she is. Her income is consistent, her tax strategy proactive, and her investments aligned with her vision of freedom. She knows where every dollar goes and how each decision supports the next phase of growth. With clarity and confidence in place, she’s preparing to hire her first employee and scale her design studio on her own terms.
Meet Ethan and Matt, Ages 42 and 48 — Seattle
Ethan, a management consultant, brings structure and financial stability. Matt, a therapist, brings purpose and balance. They are weekend travelers who love cooking new recipes, hosting friends, and planning their next adventure together. Together, they share a vision of family rooted in care and legacy, supporting Ethan’s mom today, preparing for adoption, and one day giving back through community-focused scholarships. They wanted a plan that would help them live their values while building lasting generational wealth.
The Challenge
- Saving for adoption while preparing for Matt’s private-practice launch felt overwhelming.
- They wanted to build an ADU to create rental income now and future housing for family.
- Their finances were spread across multiple accounts with no clear system.
- They hadn’t created an estate plan and didn’t know where to begin.
- They wanted today’s decisions to reflect the family and legacy they envisioned tomorrow.
- They needed a plan that brought structure, clarity, and alignment to all parts of their life.
The Approach
We brought clarity and structure to each layer of their financial life by connecting business, family, and real estate goals into one coordinated plan.
- Clarified timeline: Outlined a seven-year roadmap for adoption, ADU construction, and Matt’s business launch.
- Structured savings: Dedicated accounts for Adoption, Business Launch, and Family Support.
- ADU financing: Modeled construction costs and rental potential using Seattle’s ADU guidelines; designed a HELOC payoff plan timed before the practice opened.
- Tax & investing: Multi-year approach to use lower-income years for Roth conversions while maintaining consistent investing.
- Benefits review: Optimized health coverage, retirement contributions, and tax-advantaged savings across employers.
- Estate & family planning: Updated their estate plan and began Ethan’s mom’s, turning a sensitive topic into a shared act of care.
- Risk protection: Reviewed life and disability coverage to safeguard income and ensure family security.
Each step connected their goals, transforming their finances from a list of moving parts into a unified, values-driven system.
The Results
Ethan and Matt now have a coordinated plan that aligns adoption, real estate, and caregiving with confidence and control. Their ADU build is underway with a clear repayment strategy. Their investment plan uses tax opportunities strategically, and their estate planning reflects their long-term vision for family and legacy. Their finances no longer feel fragmented, they have clarity, structure, and a shared sense of purpose guiding every decision.
Disclaimer: These case studies are illustrative examples based on common financial planning scenarios. They do not represent actual FirstGen Wealth clients. Your experience and results will depend on your individual circumstances, goals, and financial decisions. Nothing here should be interpreted as a guarantee of future results or outcomes.
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