What does a CFP do and do I need one?

A CFP® — Certified Financial Planner — helps you build and manage a complete financial plan: budgeting, debt, savings, investing, insurance, retirement, and estate basics. The credential matters because CFPs are held to a fiduciary standard, meaning they're bound to act in your best interest. It's widely considered the gold standard in financial advice, and it's the designation Alexa von Tobel holds.

Do you need one? Not always. If your finances are relatively simple, a solid framework like Alexa's six-step plan can take you a long way on your own — you can budget, build an emergency fund, pay down debt, and start investing without hiring anyone.

Where a CFP earns their keep is around big or complex decisions: buying a home, navigating a major income change, sorting out equity compensation, planning for retirement, or managing an inheritance. In those moments, expert guidance often pays for itself many times over.

The smart move: build your foundation yourself, then bring in a CFP for the high-stakes calls.

This is general education, not personalized financial advice.

Want to build that foundation first? The Financially Fearless course walks you through every step. Learn more today.