Achieve Financial Happiness
Who We Are
At Lakeside Financial Coaching, we guide you toward a place of clarity and confidence in your financial life. It is not about how much money you make or have but it is about understanding your finances and feeling satisfied with where you are.
The founder, Andy Allaire, is a Certified Financial Coach with over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. He holds certifications from both the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE) and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). Andy also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, providing a strong foundation for his practical, client-focused approach.
Our Process
Understand Your Financial Position:
We will examine your income and expenses to determine your cash flow. This will help us understand whether you are operating at a surplus or a deficit.
Next, we will review your balance sheet, which provides a snapshot of your financial position.
With a clear understanding of both your cash flow and balance sheet, we can then develop a comprehensive plan either to address any shortfalls or to strategically allocate surplus funds in alignment with your financial goals.
Establish Your Goals:
Through thoughtful discussion, we will explore questions such as: “What are you most passionate about?” and “What does success look like to you?”
These conversations help ensure your financial goals are personally meaningful.
From there, we will convert vague objectives into concrete steps that align financial decisions with your core values.
This approach sets the foundation for sustainable financial progress and a life that feels both secure and purpose-driven.
Picture Your Tomorrow:
Building a budget and savings plan is a key step toward reaching your financial goals. It’s not about restricting yourself, but rather about spending intentionally and aligning your money with your values. This approach creates a thoughtful, long-term path toward what we call Financial Happiness.
Our Services
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Budgeting
We begin by understanding your current cash flow and future goals. Since there are many different budgeting methods, we will work together to find an approach that makes sense to you and fits your lifestyle. Along the way, we will also address common obstacles and misconceptions about budgeting, so the plan feels practical, not restrictive, and sets you up for long-term success.
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Savings
Together, we will create a savings strategy tailored to your unique needs and goals. We will start with the foundation: establishing an emergency savings account to protect against life’s unexpected events.
From there, we will explore a full range of savings options, including automating your savings.
We will also introduce the concept of revolving savings, a powerful tool for managing irregular income or seasonal expenses, thus giving you greater flexibility and financial stability throughout the year.
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Credit and Debt
Some level of debt can be useful such as taking out a mortgage to buy a home or financing an education. However, too much debt can create financial strain and even impact your relationships and overall well-being.
We will work with you to establish a realistic plan to reduce and eliminate debt, so you can regain control and move forward with confidence.
You will also gain a clear understanding of your credit score: what influences it, why it matters, and how to improve it over time. Strong credit is a key part of long-term financial health, and we are here to help you strengthen it.
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Large Purchases
Major purchases such as a home, car, boat, or even furniture can have a significant impact on your financial picture. That is why it is important to approach them with a solid plan.
We will explore smart purchasing strategies and review the various payment and financing options available to you. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions that support your long-term financial well-being without derailing your other goals.
Testimonials
John & Kate:
“Lakeside Financial Coaching has helped us understand our financial situation as we have expanded our family and planning for the future. We have made large purchases throughout the past year such as a new car, looking for a new home and selling our existing home. Andy was responsive and thorough. We felt that he took the time to explain things in a way that was easy to understand. He took our own personal financial comfortability into consideration when giving advice. We would highly recommend his services!”
Vicki & Jim:
“Andy sat down with us to discuss a budget. We brought our expense report and debt. He helped us to create a user friendly budget on excel that we utilized to get our finances in order. He was very helpful and kind in the process.”
Mark & Karen:
“Working with Andy was one of the best financial decisions we’ve made as a family. We came to him needing help reviewing our budget and understanding whether we could realistically afford for my wife to stay at home with our kids. Not only did Andy walk us through every detail of our finances, but he also offered clear, practical advice that gave us confidence in our next steps. His guidance helped us feel secure, informed, and aligned as a couple. Thanks to his coaching, we were able to make a life-changing decision for our family with peace of mind. We’re incredibly grateful!”
FAQs
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Yes! While both provide insight into personal finance, there is a big difference between what each professional delivers. Financial advisors guide the movement of your money. They focus on investments and long-term wealth management. This not what we do.
Financial coaches, on the other hand, guide your mindset and decisions behind how you use your money. A Financial Coach will help you build foundational habits such as budgeting, saving and managing debt. This is the core of Lakeside Financial Coaching.
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Yes, they absolutely do! Personal finance is very similar to personal fitness. Just like staying physically fit requires time, effort, and commitment, so does managing your personal finances. Many people hire a personal trainer to reach their fitness goals, while some people choose to hire a financial coach to improve their financial well-being. For some, a coach is there for a few sessions, to develop an understanding of their current financial picture and implement strategies to reach their financial goals. For others, it’s a longer-term relationship, focused on ongoing improvement and accountability.
At Lakeside Financial Coaching, we’re here to support both kinds of clients.
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Not at all. Hiring a financial coach shows wisdom and self-awareness. Here are some reasons why. First, hiring a financial coach shows a proactive mindset. You are taking charge of your financial future instead of waiting for things to go wrong. Second, you show a willingness to learn. It takes humility and strength to admit you don’t know everything and want to improve.
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Establishing a budget is a fundamental step toward securing your financial future. Whether your goals include purchasing a home, eliminating debt, or preparing for retirement, a well-structured budget serves as a strategic roadmap, guiding you toward both your short-term objectives and long-term aspirations.
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Sticking to a budget does not require advanced math skills. Through financial coaching, you will not only learn how to create a realistic budget, but also how to maintain it over time. Like any skill, budgeting improves with practice, consistency, and the right support.
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We will have an introductory, no cost, 30-minute meeting to explore if we are a good fit. Once we determine there is a fit, we will have you submit some basic financial information, such as income and expenses. From there, we will start exploring your goals.
