Karsten Walker
I’m Karsten Walker, an Advisor at Blue Barn Wealth with more than 30 years of experience as a financial educator and investment strategist. I specialize in helping educators, families, and young professionals build financial confidence and long-term success.
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Orem, UT
“As a former educator, I understand the complexities of pensions and URS retirement plans. My goal is to help educators, families, and young professionals turn financial stress into a clear strategy — building confidence, clarity, and long-term success. Let's build your financial momentum. Small changes can make big impacts over time.”
Our Team
At Blue Barn Wealth®, we manage your financial complexity so that you can live a more simple, intentional and meaningful life. For over 30 years, our firm has helped clients align their actions with their core desires.
Wealth and assets have been safely stored in barns for thousands of years. For us, the barn is a symbol of lasting security that provides a refuge from the storm. It also reminds us of a time when life was simpler and intentionality was required.
Blue Barn Wealth is built on research-based solutions and the principle of putting our clients’ needs first. Come experience the difference.
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How can I help?
Financial Planning & Analysis
Tax Optimization
We aim to take the ambiguity out of tax planning by utilizing tax-reducing strategies that encompass your overall tax liability. We do it by putting together a game plan that is specific to your needs.
Alternatives Investing
We actively research alternative investment opportunities and monitor your portfolio investment holdings, bringing together actionable insights and forward-thinking risk assessments.
Investment Management
End-to-end investment management focused on tailoring portfolios to each client’s specific circumstances and preferences. Our holistic approach will take into consideration all facets of your situation along with current economic data to optimize your portfolio's risk and return.
Get to know Karsten
Karsten Walker is a financial educator, curriculum developer, and investment strategist with over 30 years of experience helping individuals and families build financial confidence.
A champion of financial literacy, Karsten played a key role in shaping Utah’s statewide financial education initiative beginning in 2004. He has presented at national conferences including NAST, NEFE, and GFLEC and has received numerous awards, including Utah ACTE Marketing Teacher of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award for Business and Marketing Education.
A former Financial Literacy teacher and Alpine School District CTE Program Specialist, Karsten brings a lifelong passion for education into his advisory work. As a retired Tier 1 pensioned teacher and Series 65 advisor, he has deep experience with URS pensions, 401(k)s, HSAs, and helping educators navigate rollovers from high-fee 403(b) plans.
Outside of work, Karsten enjoys hiking, reading, music, and strategy games. He and his wife, Julie, have three children.
My career began in education, where I focused on financial literacy and curriculum development. Over time, I realized I wanted to help people not just understand money—but apply that knowledge to their own lives. Transitioning into advisory work allowed me to combine education with strategy to help individuals and families build lasting financial confidence.
My expertise includes URS pensions, 401(k)s, HSAs, 403(b) rollovers, retirement income planning, and comprehensive financial planning for educators and families.
I primarily work with educators, and others in the URS system, families, and young professionals who want clarity around retirement planning, pensions, and long-term financial success.
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.
I help clients build retirement strategies that coordinate pensions with investment accounts, reduce unnecessary fees in legacy 403(b) plans, and create long-term investment strategies aligned with their goals.
My background in education sets me apart. I focus on helping clients understand their options clearly before making decisions. Financial planning shouldn’t feel overwhelming—it should feel empowering.
Seeing someone gain confidence. When clients understand how their pension, investments, and retirement plan fit together, they feel more secure and in control of their future.
Partnering with Savvy strengthens the technology and operational platform behind the scenes, allowing us to serve clients more efficiently and with enhanced resources. This enables me to focus more fully on education, planning, and helping clients make informed financial decisions.
Book a 30-min introductory call with Joshua.
Meet and greet. Get to know each other and learn about the benefits of wealth management through Savvy.
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.
Blue Barn Wealth is a financial services group offering investment advisory services through Savvy Advisors, Inc. (“Savvy”). Savvy is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Blue Barn Wealth is not a separately registered investment advisor.
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.
