This Week’s Blog Is Written By Matt Totsky, CFA®, IAG Wealth Platform Manager
June 24, 2026

My First Financial Advisor

Who’s the first financial advisor you worked with?

Maybe you were introduced to one of IAG’s dedicated advisors early on and you’ve been working with them from the beginning of your career. Or perhaps you’re with another advisor presently, and for one reason or another the fit no longer makes sense and a caring friend or family member steered you to our firm.

Quite possibly, though, your journey toward financial literacy started like mine—long before you were working with a fee-based financial professional. My first financial advisor was my dad.

With Father’s Day this past weekend, I was contemplating once again how much my father did to set me down the right path when I was young—spiritually, personally, professionally…and financially.

When I started receiving an allowance, I was required to split my weekly “paycheck” into four envelopes:

“Throwaway” was for items that I wanted to buy but had no permanence, like candy (and oh, how I would have blown it all on candy if I could have).

“Spending to keep” was for discretionary goods I was working toward—like that latest Sega Genesis game I wanted.

“Savings” was used to build my “nest egg,” which was periodically deposited in a savings account at the bank.

“Sharing” was money put aside for charitable causes, whether that be my weekly offerings at church or any other organization to which I chose to donate.

These early lessons in budgeting helped instill in me at a young age the importance of setting funds aside—not merely for bigger-ticket items I wanted down the road, but also for a rainy day when I might need funds that had been quietly working in the background. Most importantly, they taught me to give toward causes bigger than myself.

As years passed, he continued to offer financial guidance ranging from helping me understand my first W-2 and complete Form 1040 to understanding the terms of my first car loan. The counsel he provided was, and continues to be, invaluable. Without him, one can only imagine how much money I’d have spent on candy while driving to a tax audit in my car with an exorbitant interest rate…

So, if you didn’t get the opportunity this past Sunday, take some time to thank your father or whoever in your life started you down the path of good financial habits.

I’m now trying to teach my own children some of the same lessons about saving, spending, and giving as those financial habits we learn early often stay with us for decades—and the right advice at the right time can have a lasting impact.

Perhaps you’re in the same boat—or maybe you’re still seeking guidance for your own financial future.

If you’re not already working with one of our qualified advisors, consider reaching out to set up a time to discuss both your financial situation and your children’s to learn what can be done to help you reach your financial goals…more candy consumption included.

Quote of the week: Warren Buffett: “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through IAG Wealth Partners, LLC, (IAG) a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial. Jason Ganiere is solely an investment advisor representative of IAG Wealth Partners LLC, and not affiliated with LPL Financial.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.

Any opinions are those of IAG and not necessarily those of LPL Financial. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. This information is not intended as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security referred to herein. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. Investing involves risk including loss of principle.

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Photo Credit: Pexels, RDNE Stock project