Michael Kastler

I believe retirement planning should be more than a financial exercise.

It should be personal, thoughtful, and grounded in trust. The best planning helps you make wise decisions that reflect your goals, values, and the life you hope to live. As a fee-only, fiduciary financial planner, I work directly with individuals and families who want clear guidance, thoughtful analysis, and a personal relationship throughout the planning process. My goal is to help you move toward retirement with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose. Why I Do This Work Financial planning is personal because it involves far more than numbers. It touches family, priorities, responsibilities, and the decisions people make about the future. That has shaped the way I serve clients and the kind of firm I wanted to build. Years ago, I was looking for financial guidance I could trust—guidance that was clear, thoughtful, and centered on my needs rather than a sales process. That experience reinforced something I had already noticed in the industry and helped shape the kind of planning relationship I wanted to offer: personal, transparent, and grounded in my clients’ best interests. My early interest in helping others with their finances also grew through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University in the early 2000s. I volunteered and led small groups in homes and churches, and those experiences deepened my understanding of the financial pressures many families face. They also strengthened my desire to teach, serve, and help others prepare thoughtfully for retirement. My Background Before entering financial services, I worked in information technology consulting. Over time, I sensed a growing desire to make a career transition and pursue financial planning more directly. To prepare for that work, I earned a Master of Science in Finance, combining practical experience with formal training to better serve clients. In 2015, I founded Kastler Financial Planning to bring that vision to life. You can learn more about the firm’s mission and planning philosophy on the About Kastler Financial Planning page. During the first three and a half years, I operated under the Garrett Investment Advisors, LLC umbrella, a nationally recognized fee-only fiduciary firm. Learning from seasoned professionals helped strengthen my planning process and refine the client-centered approach that continues to guide my work today. You can learn more about KFP's mission and planning philosophy on our About Kastler Financial Planning page. How I Serve Clients As a Retirement Income Certified Professional®, I focus on helping individuals and families prepare for retirement and navigate it with greater clarity. My approach is personal, thoughtful, and educational because no two households are alike, and sound planning should reflect each client’s goals, values, and circumstances. At Kastler Financial Planning, I serve clients as a solo fiduciary advisor, which means you work directly with me. I want that relationship to be marked by clear agreements, transparent fees, timely communication, careful attention to detail, and a commitment to helping you understand your options and make informed decisions. Together, these five commitments help define the way I serve clients: • Transparent service modules and pricing • Timely in follow-up and client service • Teaching-minded in explaining planning concepts and choices • Thoughtful in each recommendation and plan • Thankful for the trust clients place in me Whether you are approaching retirement or already living it, my goal is to help you build a plan that supports your lifestyle, reflects your priorities, and helps you move forward with greater clarity. My Life Outside the Office Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, woodworking, fly fishing, and cheering on the Tigers. Earlier in life, I also volunteered extensively with Habitat for Humanity and Financial Peace University. Those experiences continue to shape my perspective on service, stewardship, and the importance of practical help offered with care. My wife Julie and I are active in our church community, lead Bible studies, and volunteer with FamilyLife® Ministries. We care deeply about strong marriages, faithful stewardship, and purposeful living, and those values continue to shape both our family life and the way I serve clients.