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Your Retirement Partner

You provide the notes. I'll keep the tempo.

Infographic of Joseph Eck, CFP®

Committed To Your Retirement Success

Infographic of a client planning for retirement with Stage Ready Financial Planning

Stage Ready Financial Planning provides fee-only financial planning and wealth management for retirees and retirement savers over age 50 in Dayton and Southwest Ohio.

You’ve spent decades saving and preparing for this stage of life, but as retirement nears, the "noise" of complicated tax codes and market volatility can feel overwhelming. You shouldn't have to be your own full-time analyst. Stage Ready Financial Planning believes that a great retirement plan isn't just about the accounts you own; it’s about how they work together.

As a fee-only financial planner, my focus remains solely on you. Stage Ready Financial Planning specializes in helping Dayton and Southwest Ohio families orchestrate their wealth. I don't just "manage accounts"; with the help of your CPA and Attorney, I coordinate your taxes, investments, and goals into a single, high-performance plan.

From tax-efficient withdrawal strategies to risk-tuned portfolios, wealth management provides the steady hand needed to ensure every financial move stays in step with your vision. Let Stage Ready Financial Planning handle the math, so you can enjoy the music.

Proud To Be Members Of

Certified Financial Planner
XY Planning Network
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors

Stage Ready Financial Planning is proud to serve the Dayton & Southwest, Ohio communities as a fee-only fiduciary. Membership in these organizations demonstrates our commitment to offering you the highest level of client advice and service.

Investment Management Partner

Altruist

Stage Ready Financial Planning has selected Altruist as the primary custodian for our client’s accounts. As a modern financial custodian, Altruist is responsible for safekeeping client assets, settling trades, and – just like Pershing, Charles Schwab, and Fidelity – adhering to a strict set of policy and regulatory requirements.

With Altruist, you can open and fund your investment accounts in minutes, track your investment progress and view your portfolio’s holdings, and download statements, tax documents, and other essential information in as little as a few clicks. It’s easy, simple, and intuitive. For more information visit www.altruist.com.



Joseph A. Eck, CFP®

Owner & Financial Planner

Since 2015, I have helped families in Dayton and Southwest Ohio harmonize their financial resources with their retirement dreams. Before founding Stage Ready Financial Planning, I served as a Financial Planner at a large firm, where I realized that retirees deserved a more personal partnership—one that orchestrates a plan to stay "in step" with their lives.

With a background in music education and over a decade of experience in financial planning, I believe a confident retirement begins with understanding. I don’t just manage portfolios; I "handle the math" and teach the strategies behind it so you can make informed, great decisions about your future. My mission is to combine my love for teaching with a passion for financial freedom, ensuring your investments are tuned to support your lifestyle.

In addition to my years of experience, I've earned degrees from Wright State University, and the University of Houston, along with an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from Xavier University. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and a member of the XY Planning Network and NAPFA, I am committed to the highest fiduciary standards.

My wife Kristen and I live in Oakwood with our dachshund pups, Lily and Henry. When I’m not "at the podium" helping clients, you can find me enjoying music, fitness, the ocean, grilling with friends, and spending time with my family.

Joseph Eck, CFP® Owner & Financial Planner at Stage Ready Financial Planning

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a fiduciary?
Yes! We are proud to serve the Dayton & Southwest, Ohio communities as fiduciaries. With Stage Ready Financial Planning, you can feel confident knowing that your financial advisor puts your best interest first when creating your financial planning and investment management recommendations.
Do I have to have my investments managed by Stage Ready Financial Planning?
Yes. Investment management is included in our Wealth Management service for those looking to have their accounts managed professionally in addition to having an ongoing financial plan in place. Our clients choose to engage in wealth management so that they can make sure their accounts are aligned completely with their financial plan.
How do you manage our investments?
We partner with Altruist as our trusted investment custodian. Your investments are held and invested at this institution due to their commitment to outstanding client service, security, and cost transparency. We work with our clients and portfolio managers from top investment firms including Vanguard, Blackrock, and more to build you low cost, diversified portfolios that are aligned with your goals and financial plan!
Do I have to commit to working with you for a certain length of time?
No. While most clients partner with Stage Ready Financial Planning in an ongoing relationship, the option to end our partnership is yours at any time. We bill in arrears and commonly wave any final bill due for those that choose to leave as a demonstration of good faith.
Infographic of a retired couple with questions

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Stage Ready Financial Planning
1 Oakwood Ave, #694
Dayton OH, 45409
(937) 203-0604
inquiries@stagereadyfp.com

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