Melissa Cox, CFP® is a nationally recognized financial planner, author, and founder of Future-Focused Wealth — known for blending human-centered financial planning with straightforward, emotionally intelligent money guidance. Her work has been featured in USA TODAY, Yahoo Finance, NTD News, GoBankingRates, Business Insider, MarketWatch, and more.
With over 20 years in the industry, Melissa has built a reputation for translating complex financial topics into practical, relatable insights that actually make sense for today’s families. Whether she’s breaking down retirement strategies, explaining student loan policy, or tackling emotional money habits, her commentary is grounded in real client experience—not buzzwords or scare tactics.
Her mission is simple: to put humanity back at the center of finance. Through Future-Focused Wealth and her book Future-Focused Wealth: How to Build Financial Freedom at Your Own Pace, Melissa equips everyday people—women, parents, professionals, and late starters—with tools to build wealth without shame, confusion, or unrealistic expectations.
Media outlets trust Melissa for:
• Clear, concise financial explanations that resonate with real audiences
• Data-backed insight with zero industry jargon
• A human-first perspective, especially on retirement, college planning, and financial behavior
• Compassionate, relatable storytelling from her own journey from debt to empowerment
• Forward-looking commentary on economic trends and policy shifts
Whether discussing retirement in volatile markets, the emotional side of money, or the rising cost of college, Melissa brings a fresh, grounded, and encouraging voice to every financial conversation.
Trusted Financial Planning Expertise
Two decades of hands-on planning experience, delivering clear, actionable guidance for real people—not theoretical spreadsheets.
Human-Centered Money Insight
A rare blend of emotional intelligence and financial strategy that helps audiences actually connect with the topic.
Expert Commentary on Today’s Money Challenges
Go-to insight on retirement, student loans, economic stress, family finances, and the behavioral side of money.
Clear, Accessible Explanations for Any Audience
Breaking down complex financial topics into simple, relatable language that empowers readers, viewers, and listeners.
Official Press Kit for Melissa Cox CFP®
Access Melissa’s full media kit, including bios, topic expertise, approved photos, and recent press highlights.
April 23, 2026
Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, was featured in MarketWatch offering guidance to a 37-year-old homeowner navigating unconventional wealth and a highly illiquid $1.2 million property. Rather than focusing solely on investment returns, Cox encouraged the reader to shift from viewing the property as a “missed opportunity” to seeing it as the foundation for their next chapter. Her advice emphasized building stronger cash reserves, creating sustainable income strategies, and balancing entrepreneurial risk with long-term financial stability. Through her grounded, human-first approach, Melissa highlighted the importance of structure, flexibility, and strategic planning—even for financially savvy self-managers.
How To Build a Fixed-Income Portfolio for Steady Cash Flow
February 27, 2026
Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, was featured in Investopedia sharing expert guidance on constructing stable, income-focused portfolios in uncertain markets. In the article, Cox explains how income needs, timing, and risk tolerance should drive every fixed-income strategy—from Treasurys and municipal bonds to bond ladders and duration management. Her practical, human-centered approach emphasizes creating predictable cash flow while balancing safety, liquidity, and long-term flexibility for retirees and income-focused investors.
Advisors Muscle Up Client Portfolios as Dollar Weakens
February 22, 2026
Jeff Benjamin
Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, was featured in The Daily Upside discussing how a declining U.S. dollar impacts fixed-income investors and retirement portfolios. Cox explains that while a weaker dollar can benefit international bond holdings, it may also fuel inflation and pressure long-term bond prices. Her advice emphasizes diversification, shorter-duration bonds, inflation protection, and maintaining flexibility instead of reacting emotionally to market headlines. The article highlights Melissa’s calm, practical approach to helping investors navigate shifting global economic conditions with confidence.
February 18, 2026
In MarketWatch’s “The Advicer” column, Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, offers guidance to retirees navigating a $300,000 decision after an annuity that produced no income for eight years. Cox emphasizes clarity before action — encouraging readers to define whether their goal is income, preservation, legacy or flexibility before selecting any product. She also highlights the importance of understanding risk tolerance, reviewing fees and surrender charges, and seeking a fiduciary’s perspective before committing to a new strategy. Her core message: the right decision isn’t about chasing returns — it’s about aligning money with the bigger picture and creating peace of mind in retirement.
Trump Wants Kids to Have Investment Accounts—Experts Say It’s Complicated
January 30, 2026
Melissa Cox, CFP®, weighs in on the risks and realities of the proposed “Trump Accounts,” a government-backed investment program for children. Speaking as both a financial planner and a parent, Cox cautions against the hype of headline-driven programs without financial education to back them up. “It’s like handing the keys to a Ferrari to someone who just got their permit,” she told Newsweek, highlighting the importance of literacy over gimmicks in closing wealth gaps and preparing kids for long-term financial success.
5 expert-backed ways to start the New Year with less debt, and more breathing room
December 29, 2025
Melissa Cox, CFP® of Future-Focused Wealth, appears in The Economic Times via a syndicated Yahoo Finance feature, offering practical advice to jumpstart 2026 with stronger financial footing. From reviewing credit reports to taking a short-term spending freeze, her tips focus on habit shifts that lead to meaningful momentum. “Sometimes we need a lifestyle reset,” she shares—one intentional step at a time.
5 ways to start the new year with less debt, according to experts
Yahoo Finance
December 26, 2025
Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, shares actionable advice for kicking debt to the curb in 2026. She emphasizes the power of automation, mindful spending, and timely credit report checks to avoid costly errors and stay on track. Her standout tip? Start the year with a “spending freeze” to reset habits and regain financial clarity.
Texas Desert Rose Interview – “When Money Meets Mental Health”
November 30, 2025
Melissa Cox, CFP®, joins Texas Desert Rose to share her mental health journey through high-functioning depression, the lessons learned, and how those experiences have reshaped her human-first approach to financial planning. A raw and honest conversation about stress, success, and finding your voice—both personally and professionally.
Stop and do this before you buy anything on Black Friday
November 26, 2025
In a recent MarketWatch feature, financial planner Melissa Cox of Future-Focused Wealth recommends creating an “Oops Fund” as a smart buffer against last-minute holiday spending. As Americans gear up for Black Friday, Cox joins other experts urging shoppers to “pay yourself first” — a mindset shift that favors building financial security over impulsive bargain hunting. Her advice? Budget for surprise expenses now to avoid credit card regret later.
What Happens After I pay My loan?
Yahoo Finance
November 9, 2025
Yahoo Finance explores what really goes down when your final loan payment clears—and why it’s not just about celebrating. Certified Financial Planner Melissa Cox of Future-Focused Wealth shares insights on how paying off debt impacts your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and overall financial momentum. From small credit dips to freeing up cash flow, this piece unpacks how to make the most of your new financial freedom without falling back into old habits.
Best Financial Advisors in Dallas
October 8, 2025
Melissa Cox, CFP®, of Future-Focused Wealth, has been named one of the top financial advisors in Dallas by Digital Reference. Recognized for her values-driven, human-first approach, Melissa is known for weaving together life planning and wealth strategy—especially for women, families, and clients navigating big transitions. Her standout strength? Making financial planning accessible, personal, and purpose-filled in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.
Boomer “Spend-Down” Approach Expands $124 Trillion Wealth Transfer Divide
Bitget-RWA
September 26, 2025
Coin World
Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future‑Focused Wealth, was featured in a Coin World report examining the widening “inheritance gap” between boomers and younger generations. Offering a clear-eyed perspective on the emotional and financial tensions behind the $124 trillion Great Wealth Transfer, Melissa explains why many boomers feel they’ve “done their due,” while younger adults are relying more heavily on parental financial support. Her insights highlight the need for open family conversations, realistic expectations, and intentional estate planning to reduce conflict and ensure wealth is used with purpose.
September 20, 2025
In this in‑depth comparison of two major personal‑loan lenders, Certified Financial Planner Melissa Cox provides clear, practical guidance on when borrowing makes sense — and when it doesn’t. She explains how borrowers typically use personal loans, why intentional planning matters, and what steps can help improve approval odds. Cox’s expertise helps readers navigate debt consolidation, emergency expenses, and financial transitions with confidence, offering a human-first perspective in a heavily numbers-driven space.
Rewriting the Rules of Wealth: A Woman’s Journey to Financial Empowerment with Melissa Cox
September 2, 2025
In this candid feature, Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, pulls back the curtain on the biggest financial surprises retirees face. From unexpected lifestyle expenses to rising healthcare costs, Cox emphasizes that retirement doesn’t always mean “spending less”—it means spending differently. Her insights challenge outdated assumptions and spotlight the importance of proactive, values-driven planning.
Kirkus Review of Future-Focused Wealth: How to Build Financial Freedom at Your Own Pace
August 7, 2025
Cox provides a comprehensive overview of improving one’s financial situation and money management.
In her nonfiction debut, the author, a certified financial planner with decades of experience, starts things off by mentioning something she’s heard from countless clients over the years: They really wish they’d started thinking about their retirement savings long, long before they actually got around to it. “Your future self is out there,” Cox writes starkly, “waving at you frantically from 20 or 30 years down the road, hoping you don’t forget about them.” Insisting that financial planning is very much not reserved for the wealthy, the author assures her readers that it’s for everybody, and that it’s never too late to start planning. In this brief, tightly organized book, she breaks down the complexities of the many retirement savings options open to people in the present moment, from ordinary savings accounts to stocks, pensions, 401(k) plans, CDs, and even cryptocurrency. In each case, she analyzes the variables involved, from inherent market instability to the different investing attitudes of different generations to other factors, like increased lifespans (“maybe it’s modern medicine,” Cox muses, “or maybe people are just hanging around a little longer hoping to see the Chicago Cubs win another World Series”). The author addresses all aspects of personal money-handling, from (refreshingly) the emotions involved to such draining elements as addressing crushing debt, which she describes as a marathon rather than a sprint (“And guess what?” she adds. “You absolutely can cross that finish line”). Whether she’s explaining taxes and deductions or charitable donations, Cox maintains this same governing tone of informed optimism; no matter how complicated or forbidding the financial subject seems, Cox manages to be both realistic and cheerful—no mean feat. Readers who start this book feeling gloomy about their long-term finances will finish it feeling much more informed, and maybe a little more optimistic themselves.
A bracing can-do guide to boosting long-term financial health.
I’m a Financial Advisor: Here Are the Top 3 Surprises My Clients Face in Retirement
August 1, 2025
Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, joins The Empowered Woman Podcast for a powerful conversation on financial confidence, intentional wealth-building, and breaking free from money shame. In this episode, Melissa shares her personal journey from financial struggle to planning success — offering real talk and practical tools for women ready to take control of their financial lives.
She unpacks her signature “wealth on purpose formulation,” introduces the metaphor of building a financial house, and emphasizes a values-first, human-centered approach to money. From overcoming societal myths to embracing the messiness of money, Melissa’s wisdom empowers women to own their financial path, one small step at a time.
7 Powerful Ways to Shield Your Retirement During a Global Trade War
July 29, 2025
Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, was featured in Yahoo Finance and GOBankingRates with expert insights on safeguarding retirement during economic uncertainty and global trade disruptions. She emphasized practical strategies like reassessing budgets, maintaining a strong cash buffer, flexible withdrawal planning, and avoiding panic-driven investing. Melissa’s human-first advice stood out in both features, offering clarity and calm in a turbulent financial climate.
Taylor Swift, her masters and when spending tons of money is good for your mental health
June 11, 2025
By Charles Trepany
Certified Financial Planner Melissa Cox was featured in USA TODAY in a national conversation about emotional spending and financial empowerment. In the article, Melissa draws a powerful parallel between Taylor Swift reclaiming her master recordings and everyday individuals making values-based financial decisions. She emphasizes how reclaiming control—whether over music or money—can be both emotionally fulfilling and financially smart. Melissa’s quote highlighted the unique struggles and triumphs women face when stepping into financial power.
Options for Retirees Who Claimed Social Security Benefits Too Early
June 10, 2025
Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, was featured in an NTD Television personal finance segment on the realities facing retirees who claimed Social Security benefits early. She emphasized that while early claiming is common due to health, job loss, or fear of missing out, it’s not the end of the road. Melissa offered strategies like benefit suspension and financial bridging to regain control and maximize future income.
“Maybe it was job loss, health concerns, or just fear that the system won’t be around later. Whatever the reason, you’re not the only one who’s been there.” — Melissa Cox, CFP®
I Used to Be Embarrassed About My Money—Here’s Why I’m Not Anymore
May 11, 2025
Certified Financial Planner and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, Melissa Cox joins HerStory Podcast to break down the emotional barriers that keep women out of the money conversation. In this deeply personal and empowering episode, Melissa shares her journey from money shame to financial leadership—and why she now helps others rewrite their financial narrative with empathy, strategy, and zero judgment.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever thought, “I should be further along.” Melissa proves it’s not too late, you’re not behind, and your money story matters.
Key Takeaways:
- How to untangle money from shame and emotion
- The power of small, consistent steps
- Why late starters and everyday women need a seat at the table
Balance transfer or personal loans: What is best?
May 23, 2025
In this helpful financial breakdown, Certified Financial Planner Melissa Cox shares how credit score, debt size, and payoff timelines can make or break your strategy. Whether you’re trying to escape high-interest credit cards or finance a major expense, Cox offers practical, human-first insight into when a balance transfer makes sense—and when a personal loan is the smarter move. It’s all about using debt as a tool, not a trap.
May 12, 2025
Melissa Cox Featured in Realtor.com: Rethinking Retirement Strategies for Mortgage Holders
In a powerful new feature on Realtor.com, Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, challenges outdated financial norms like the 4% rule. Instead, she advocates for a personalized spending plan that reflects rising costs and the unique pressures facing today’s retirees — especially those carrying mortgages into their golden years.
If Moms Got Paid for Their Tasks, They’d Earn $145K a Year, Study Says
May 11, 2025
Melissa Cox Featured in GOBankingRates: “Stay-at-Home Moms Are the Family’s COO”
In this powerful feature tied to Insure.com’s Mother’s Day Index, Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, underscores the true financial value of unpaid labor. Cox calls attention to the critical — and costly — roles that stay-at-home mothers fulfill, from childcare and household logistics to financial oversight: “If something happened to her, replacing those roles could cost the family tens of thousands a year.”
6 Items Frugal People Should Definitely Avoid Buying in 2025 Due to Tariffs
May 3, 2025
As rising tariffs send prices soaring, Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, shares timely advice on how to shop smarter — not pricier. From imported electronics and fast fashion to luxury beauty and recreational gear, Cox breaks down how frugal consumers can sidestep inflated costs and make budget-conscious choices that still align with their lifestyle values.
12 Reasons Retirement Advice From Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman May Not Work for You
May 3, 2025
In this insightful GOBankingRates feature, Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, challenges the rigidity of popular retirement advice from figures like Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman. “We’re not all running the same financial race,” Cox notes, emphasizing the need for personalized financial strategies that reflect real lives—not just financial formulas.
8 Truths Any Competent Financial Advisor Will Tell You About Legacy Planning
May 1, 2025
In a powerful piece on the emotional and practical dimensions of estate planning, Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, reminds readers that legacy planning isn’t about control—it’s about compassion. “Good legacy planning isn’t about managing people from the grave,” she says. “It’s about ensuring they’re cared for and that your intentions are respected.” The article dives into eight essential truths for building a financial legacy that reflects not just your wealth, but your values.
Get Laid Off? 7 Best Ways To Use Your Last Paycheck for Maximum Financial Impact
April 30, 2025
As layoffs rise across the U.S., Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, shares essential advice on how to stretch your final paycheck. In this GOBankingRates feature, Cox emphasizes the importance of securing essentials, calculating your financial runway, and making empowered decisions that balance short-term needs with long-term goals.
3 Key Signs You Shouldn’t Be Taking Money Advice From Billionaires
April 30, 2025
In this candid take on billionaire financial advice, Melissa Cox, CFP® and founder of Future-Focused Wealth, cuts through the hype. Speaking to GOBankingRates, she explains that real financial planning is about emotional clarity, not extreme risk: “Most of us aren’t looking to build empires. We are often simply trying to build peace of mind, maybe take care of family or retire without fear.” The article explores why ultra-wealthy strategies often fall flat for middle-class Americans—and what to do instead.
8 Ways Financial Advisors Wish Middle-Class People Would Stop Blowing Their Money
April 15, 2025
Melissa Cox, CFP®, was featured in FinanceBuzz offering clear-eyed advice on how the middle class can avoid financial self-sabotage. From overspending on lifestyle upgrades to bleeding money on unused subscriptions, Melissa brings a human-first lens to everyday financial behavior. “Keeping up” often leads to stress, debt, and delayed goals. Her insight? Real wealth is built with intention, not impulse.
Type 5 ways financial advisors are guiding investors through a hellish patch in markets
April 14, 2025
Melissa Cox, owner of Future-Focused Wealth, reminds clients that market volatility is not unprecedented. She emphasizes that while downturns can be severe, markets have historically rebounded, and it’s crucial to stay the course to avoid missing potential recoveries.
Tools for Financial Freedom + The Third Pillar of Lifestyle Medicine: Stress Management
March 28, 2025
Melissa Cox featured on the Healthy Family podcast discussing tools for financial freedom and the psychology of money.
Future-Focused Wealth from Melissa Cox Puts Humanity Back at the Center of Finance
April 2, 2025
Melissa Cox, CFP®, officially launched her firm, Future-Focused Wealth, alongside her debut book Future-Focused Wealth: How to Build Financial Freedom at Your Own Pace. In this widely syndicated press release, Melissa introduces a human-centered approach to financial planning, empowering women, families, and individuals to build wealth with confidence and without shame. The firm, operating under Van Clemens Financial, offers practical, values-based financial planning designed to help clients move beyond anxiety and take control of their financial future.
Syndicated via Evertise Financial to outlets including Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, StreetInsider, and more.
Can You Retire Early? Here’s the Minimum Savings Needed in 2025
April 2, 2025
Melissa Cox, CFP®, was featured in GOBankingRates offering a reality check for Americans considering early retirement. With her signature human-first approach, Melissa challenged the myth of a “magic number” and encouraged readers to focus on purpose over perfection. “The ‘why’ gives us the direction. The dollars? That’s just the fuel to get there,” she shares. This article is a must-read for anyone reevaluating retirement in today’s uncertain economic landscape.
Half of US Parents Cover Adult Children’s Bills—Here’s What It’s Costing Mom and Dad
April 1, 2025
Melissa Cox, CFP®, shares her professional insight in this NTD Television article highlighting a growing financial trend — parents supporting adult children at record levels. Melissa explains how a mix of love, economic pressure, and guilt drives many families into sacrificing their own retirement security. She also discusses the delicate balance between offering financial help and encouraging self-sufficiency in adult children. This article brings attention to the “quiet crisis” many families are facing today and offers thoughtful considerations for both parents and advisors.
March 31, 2025
Melissa Cox, CFP®, joins JennJugglesIt for an inspiring YouTube interview focused on financial empowerment for women and moms. Melissa shares insights from her book Future Focused Wealth, offering realistic strategies to overcome financial stress, build intentional money habits, and create wealth—without sacrificing sanity. The conversation dives deep into how busy moms can take control of their finances, set meaningful goals, and escape the shame often attached to money. This interview is a must-watch for anyone seeking financial freedom at their own pace.
What to Know About Collecting Social Security While Working in Retirement
NTD Television
February
By Juliette Fairley
Melissa Cox, CFP®, contributes her financial planning expertise to this NTD Television article, helping retirees understand how working can impact Social Security benefits. Melissa explains the crucial role of age and income limits, emphasizing strategies for maximizing Social Security while staying active in retirement. The article also explores pending legislation that could eliminate Social Security taxation, potentially reshaping retirement income planning for millions of Americans.
Millennials and Gen X want to share wealth now. Boomers will wait until they’re dead.
USA Today
January 18, 2025
By Daniel de Visé
Melissa Cox, CFP®, offers key insights in this USA TODAY feature exploring generational attitudes toward wealth transfer. As millennials and Gen Xers prioritize giving during their lifetime, baby boomers tend to hold onto wealth until after death. Melissa highlights the emotional and financial reasons why many older clients hesitate to gift early, including fears of outliving their savings. This article unpacks how shifting values, rising costs of living, and evolving financial planning practices are reshaping the conversation about inheritance and legacy.
Living paycheck to paycheck is more common than you think, and it isn’t always bad
USA Today
December 5, 2024
By Daniel de Visé
Melissa Cox, CFP®, contributes her insight to USA TODAY’s exploration of what it really means to live paycheck to paycheck. While many Americans feel financially strained, Melissa explains that being “tightly budgeted” doesn’t necessarily signal financial distress — especially when savings and debt management are part of the equation. In this piece, Melissa helps readers understand how to assess their true financial health and avoid common misconceptions.
September 23, 2024
In this in-depth interview, Melissa Cox shares her 20-year journey from administrative assistant to Certified Financial Planner™, detailing how she built Future-Focused Wealth on the foundation of holistic financial planning. She reflects on evolving industry standards, the importance of serving underrepresented clients, and how comprehensive, client-centric service sets her practice apart. This thoughtful profile highlights Melissa’s passion for empowering clients and building meaningful, long-term relationships.
Recognized Among Money’s Best Financial Planners
Money.com
September 19, 2024
Melissa Cox, CFP® was honored as one of Money’s 80 Best Financial Planners nationwide, selected for her experience, credentials, and dedication to client-focused financial planning. With over 15 years of experience, Melissa was recognized for her expertise in retirement and investment planning—serving clients of all asset levels with accessible, empowering advice. This recognition reaffirms Melissa’s mission at Future-Focused Wealth: to bring personalized, practical, and forward-thinking financial guidance to individuals and families at every stage of life
Gen Z wants an inheritance. Good luck with that, say their boomer parents
USA Today
August 31, 2024
By Daniel de Visé
Melissa Cox, CFP®, weighs in on the generational divide in expectations around inheritance in this widely shared feature. While many Gen Z and millennial adults are counting on the Great Wealth Transfer to secure their financial future, Melissa points out that many boomers aren’t prioritizing leaving behind money—especially without proper retirement plans in place. She candidly highlights the emotional and financial tensions around wealth transfer and why clear communication and planning are essential.
Being a Emotional Support Advisor
InvestmentNews
July 15, 2024
By Emile Hallez
Melissa Cox, CFP®, shares how her role as a financial planner often goes beyond numbers. In this candid piece, she discusses the emotional side of advising—offering clients support during stressful life transitions, grief, and uncertainty. With empathy at the core of her approach, Melissa explains how blending financial expertise with compassion builds stronger, more trusting client relationships.
How to create a budget for 2024: First, check out how you spent in 2023
USA Today
January 17, 2024
By Daniel de Visé
In this budgeting feature, Melissa Cox, CFP®, helps readers take a data-driven approach to personal finance. She shares how clients often don’t realize where their money is going until they comb through spending habits—like impulse Amazon purchases or $500 in mobile game spending. Her insights highlight the power of financial awareness and how small changes can have a big impact on saving and budgeting success.
5 ways retirement changed in 2023
FinancialPlanning
December 26, 2023
By Nathan Place
Retirement trends saw significant shifts in 2023, from rising Medicare Part D premiums and student loan burdens to skyrocketing annuity sales and a brighter retirement outlook for millennials. Melissa Cox, CFP® was featured offering insights on how student debt continues to impact long-term savings goals for many Americans.
Student debt thwarts Americans saving for retirement
BenefitNews
December 26, 2023
By Nathan Place
Student loans are preventing millions of Americans from building a secure financial future. In this article, Melissa Cox, CFP® shares her firsthand experience working with clients struggling to balance loan payments and long-term retirement goals. The piece highlights alarming statistics and actionable insights on how financial professionals can help borrowers manage debt while still planning for retirement.
All About the 5%’: Muni Bonds Struggle To Lure Investors Away From Cash
FA – Financial Advisor
September 21, 2023
By Amanda Albright and Tanaz Meghjani
Despite their long-standing reputation as tax-advantaged and low-risk investments, municipal bonds are losing favor among everyday investors chasing 5%+ returns from money-market funds and high-yield savings accounts. Melissa Cox, CFP® shares insight into how client strategies are shifting in this high-interest rate environment and why even traditionally stable instruments like muni bonds may not be the top choice for cautious investors.
Advisors debate how to make muni bond allocations count
InvestmentNews
July 15, 2024
By Gregg Greenberg
Municipal bonds remain foundational for many investment portfolios—but what mix, duration, and structure make the most sense in today’s high-interest environment? Melissa Cox, CFP® at Fetterman Investments, shares why her clients benefit from short-duration individual muni bonds tailored to tax considerations and portfolio size. Discover how top advisors are navigating the evolving muni landscape.
Parents are struggling to save for both retirement and college
FinancialPlanning
July 14, 2023
By Nathan Place
Melissa Cox shares insights on one of the most common dilemmas facing American families: how to balance saving for their children’s education while also preparing for retirement. In this article, she discusses realistic strategies for prioritizing financial goals and making trade-offs that don’t sacrifice your long-term security.
How to survive retaking the CFP exam: Tips from advisors who have been there
FinancialPlanning
July 12, 2023
By Victoria Zhuang
Melissa Cox shares her personal journey of failing the CFP® exam and how she turned that experience into a growth opportunity. In this candid feature, she offers encouragement and practical insights to aspiring planners facing similar challenges. Her story is one of resilience, reframing setbacks, and learning to thrive under pressure.
Millennial Money: Curb inflation with 5 credit card perks
AP Press
June 7, 2022
By MELISSA LAMBARENA of NerdWallet
Melissa offers practical insights into maximizing credit card benefits to combat rising inflation costs.
Syndicated by: NerdWallet, CBS News, Yahoo Finance.
Registered Nurse’s Guide to Retirement
NurseJournal Staff
November 29, 2021
Reviewed by Shrilekha Deshaies, MSN, RN, CCRN
Melissa highlights how RNs can diversify their retirement strategies beyond traditional benefits.
A No-Brainer Planning Tool for Clients Starting a Family
RIA Intel
August 16, 2021
By David Sterman
Melissa shares her perspective on why disability insurance is an essential part of long-term financial planning.
10 pieces of advice financial planners give to new parents who don’t know where to start
Business Insider
Dec 13, 2019
By Ashley Abramson
Melissa shares foundational strategies for financial success as a new parent.