David Staab

I grew up in a blue-collar area where I knew a lot of hardworking people who saved their money but didn't necessarily know what to do with it beyond putting it away. Some people literally kept their savings under the mattress.

When I got to business school, I began to understand how much financial literacy could improve someone's quality of life. It made me think about the people I grew up around and how having access to clear financial guidance could help them make more informed decisions about the money they had worked so hard to earn.

That experience motivated me to pursue financial advising. I wanted to help people understand their options and feel more comfortable making decisions about their financial futures.

I primarily work with two groups: people in their 30s who are starting families and individuals who are approaching retirement.

I also work with former military and government employees who have transitioned into careers with significantly higher incomes and are trying to determine how to make thoughtful decisions with that additional money.

These clients may be navigating different stages of life, but many share a desire to better understand their finances and develop a plan that reflects their priorities.

My primary areas of focus are financial planning, retirement planning, income planning, and tax-aware financial strategies.

I help clients look at how their investments, savings, income, taxes, and financial goals fit together. I also enjoy helping people understand the financial decisions that come up during important life transitions, whether that's starting a family, changing careers, or preparing for retirement.

I frequently help clients evaluate Roth conversions, backdoor Roth contributions, tax-loss harvesting, investment portfolios, and financial decisions related to employee benefits and open enrollment.

A big part of my work involves helping clients understand how those individual decisions fit into their broader financial plans.

For example, a tax strategy that makes sense for one client may not be appropriate for another depending on their income, retirement timeline, and other circumstances. I want clients to understand those considerations before making a decision.

I place a lot of importance on attention to detail, being available to clients, and building meaningful relationships.

I want people to feel comfortable reaching out when they have questions, even if they think the question is simple or something they should already know.

I also believe explaining the reasoning behind financial decisions is just as important as explaining the decision itself. When clients understand why we're considering a particular strategy, they can take a more active role in their financial planning.

One of my favorite parts of the job is answering people's questions.

Financial topics can make people nervous, especially when they're unsure whether they should already know the answer. I enjoy seeing the change in someone's reaction when we talk through a question and they begin to understand both the answer and the reasoning behind it.

I also really enjoy the personal side of client relationships. Sometimes the most enjoyable part of a meeting is the last five or ten minutes when we've finished discussing finances and can just talk about life.

Those conversations help me get to know the people I'm working with beyond their financial plans.

I'm still relatively new to Savvy, so I'm continuing to get to know the organization and the resources available to advisors.

I've enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the team, including attending the Savvy conference, and I'm looking forward to learning more as I settle into my role.