Mindful Money Financial Counsel, LLC

Mindful Money Financial Counsel was founded in 2010 by Colin Chase, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ with over 25 years of experience in financial services, including 10 years at Fidelity Investments in various roles from service representative to Vice President Senior Account Executive. The firm is independently owned and operates as a small family business based in Chicago, specializing in serving individuals and couples in their 30s and 40s as well as those nearing retirement.

The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory services delivered through flexible engagement models: one-time advice sessions or ongoing relationships. Services include holistic financial strategy, retirement planning optimization, tax reduction strategies, college savings planning, emergency fund assessment, investment strategy development, employer benefits analysis, debt prioritization guidance, home affordability evaluation, and life transition planning (marriage, parenthood, career changes, relocation). They provide objective advice without requirements for clients to move assets to the firm or meet investment minimums.

Mindful Money distinguishes itself through several structural features. The fee-only, commission-free compensation model eliminates conflicts of interest inherent in product sales or assets-under-management fees. They explicitly reject the traditional wealth management model of requiring portfolio turnover to the firm. The founding vision emphasizes alignment with health and wellness care models (physician, therapist) where advisors are compensated for value delivered rather than products sold. The firm values trust, optimism, creativity, wellness, sustainability, compassion, humility, and resourcefulness, with marketing explicitly targeting clients seeking validation, second opinions, and objective guidance rather than sales pitches.

Honestly assessed, Mindful Money operates as a legitimate fee-only advisory firm but lacks the depth of regulatory detail, compliance certifications, or third-party credentialing visible on the website. The firm is not positioned as serving low-income or distressed consumers—the target demographic appears to be middle-to-upper-income professionals navigating complexity rather than those in financial crisis. Clients seeking debt relief, credit repair, or emergency liquidity should look elsewhere. The website provides compelling value messaging but limited transparency on specific fee structures beyond "flat fee" and "hourly-as-needed" language.