About Brittney

Welcome! I am Brittney Castro.

I help people define their ideal lives, and then support that with the structure of financial planning. I teach people how to love their money, understand their money and then use their money to live a life they actually love, not the life they feel they “should” be living.

In other words, my mission is to make financial planning fun and easy, and help you use your money to create of the life of your dreams—free from stress and anxiety about money.

You see, I was the weird kid growing up who loved to play with my fake cash register and pretend checkbook. Something about organizing my money and being methodical with those toys just came naturally to me. I grew up in a middle-class family where my dad was a police officer and my mom managed the day-to-day finances like most women do. By watching my parents manage their money, I learned the power of living within your means, budgeting and having good credit. My parents taught by example, and while I, like you, did not have any formal financial education growing up, I learned early on that if you love your money, it will love you back.

In my nine years as a financial planner–working for a major financial planning firm, then an independent one; getting designations like CRPC®, AAMS® and the most important one of all, CFP®; and being a pioneer in the financial planning industry and breaking as many norms as possible,–I help women gain clarity around their money and fall in love with financial planning so they can create a life they love using their money—for the long term.

I’ve got the personality, smarts, and heart to help you rid yourself of your financial woes and heartaches once and for all. I believe that money is just a tool that you can use to live a life you love. I can teach you how to use that tool and create a new mindset about your money that will serve you for many years to come. I can provide clarity about the complex financial world, help you develop a financial plan that you actually care about, create meaningful financial goals, save more, invest more and, most of all, begin to see your money in a whole new light. And I do it all in a non-judgmental, comfortable way that actually makes sense.

Through my private financial planning practice, online money class, weekly YouTube videos and live workshops, you’ll learn the financial planning strategies that will take your financial life, and your life in general, to a whole new level.

Why Women?

After graduating from University of California, Santa Barbara, I started my career as a financial adviser with Ameriprise Financial. While there, I learned how to run a financial planning practice, how to excel as a financial planner, and that I loved financial planning. However, most importantly, I realized I did not fit into the traditional financial planning mold. Although I was successful, I was unhappy. I tried to fit in with an old-school model of financial planning and was not living an authentic life. I wanted to do things differently, and serve my clients in a way that made sense to me. I needed an environment that would allow my entrepreneurial side to shine and that would give me freedom and flexibility when working with clients.

After observing many other advisors communicate with women clients in counterproductive ways, making them feel more confused, shamed and humiliated, I knew something had to change. Women struggle with different fears and frustrations than men do. Women want clarity around their money and their financial strategies. They want to worry less, have more time to do the things they enjoy most, and they want a financial planner who listens to them and understands their unique goals and concerns.

I know this because this is what I want, too.  I’ve been there: worried about money, stressed by the future, feeling misunderstood. It is my goal to change that for the women I work with.

About Financially Wise Women

After working four years at Ameriprise Financial, a large financial planning firm, and three years with LPL Financial, an independent broker/dealer, I launched Financially Wise Women as a registered investment adviser, offering advisory services in the state of California. I focus my practice on helping people like me: busy professional and entrepreneurial women who are passionate about life. Financially Wise Women continues to grow and allow me to help even more individuals through my financial planning practice, online money class, YouTube channel videos, public speaking engagements, and live workshops. I have worked with hundreds of people and helped them love their money and take their financial lives to the next level. I look forward to helping you do the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is financial planning?

Financial planning is the long-term process of wisely managing your finances so you can achieve your goals and dreams, while at the same time learning the art of negotiating the financial barriers that inevitably arise in every stage of life.  Remember, financial planning is a process, not a product.

Do you work with clients outside of Los Angeles?

Yes, I’ve build my business so I can work with people all over the country. We can meet by phone, Skype or in person if you live in the Los Angeles area. I believe that together we can determine the best way to work together for something as important as your financial future.

Do you work with men too?

Yes, of course! Although my practice is designed to serve the women’s segment, I still work with many couples. I think that if you’re in a relationship, it’s important to engage in financial planning together. It can be empowering to your relationship to address the topic of money together, and it can also bring a confidence to your relationship because you’ll both become clear on where you stand and where you want to go financially.

How Can I work with you?

If you’re ready to take your financial life to the next level, request a free discovery session with me today so we can begin the conversation.  I’ve helped hundreds of clients take their financial lives to the next level and create a life they love using their money, and I’m excited to help you do the same.

If you’re not quite ready for my comprehensive financial planning services, then check out my weekly YouTube videos  and my online money class to start your Financially Wise journey.

And, of course, make sure you’re on the email list to get my weekly videos, which are packed with amazing tips to help you get the financial education you need.

Random Fun Facts

• I grew up in Cerritos, which has a strong Asian culture, so I love Asian food and culture.
• I love to dance.  I’ve been known to be the first one on the dance floor at any event with music, and am currently obsessed with Polynesian and salsa dancing.
• I have three brothers and can play a mean game of Over the Line.
• I was the leader of my dance team in high school and the event coordinator in ASB, and always managed two to three jobs while in high school and college. I like being busy!
• I have a dog named Arya who is like my baby.  Yes, I post about her a lot, so get over it!
• I’m a planner by nature and love color-coding my Google calendar and organizing it every day.  You should see it sometime, it’s crazy fun!
• Coffee and books are two things in life I just cannot give up.
• Traveling feeds my soul, and one of my favorite things to do in a new city is bike around town (you see the city and culture in a whole different light this way).
• I have an unbelievable work ethic and drive, which I thank my beautiful parents for.
• I’m obsessed with working out and eating healthy, and these days you can find me at kickboxing, yoga or dance class—and, of course, drinking green juice (I’m so L.A.!).
• I’m a social butterfly and love meeting new people, planning parties and hosting events.