Michelle Pezzulo, CFP, Financial Advisor at Bentley Financial Group, Inc.

Michelle Pezzulo, CFP, Financial Advisor at Bentley Financial Group, Inc. Passionate about helping individuals and families pursue their financial goals. Securities offered through LPL Financial a registered investment advisor.

Member FINRA/SIPC, www.finra.org, www.sipc.org. Third party posts found on this profile do not reflect the views of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. The financial professionals associated with LPL Financial may discuss and/or transact business only with residents of the states in which they are properly registered.

06/08/2026

Estate planning is often an overlooked part of a financial plan, especially for young families.

No matter your income or net worth, having the proper documents in place can help protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are carried out.

For parents of young children, it can be even more important. Documents such as a will, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives can provide clarity during difficult times and help avoid unnecessary stress for your family.

05/26/2026

Getting that first job out of college or landing a promotion can feel like a huge financial “upgrade” overnight 💰

When you’ve been used to living on a smaller income, the jump in pay can feel overwhelming, and lifestyle creep can quietly take over.

One of the best habits you can build early? Make saving a priority in your budget, not just what’s left over at the end of the month.

Increase retirement contributions with every raise, automate savings transfers, and keep monthly expenses reasonable before upgrading everything at once.

A few smart habits early on can create more flexibility later.

05/07/2026

When you’re just getting started investing, it can be hard to know where to put your next dollar. Here’s a general order I often suggest for young investors 👇

1️⃣ Get the full 401(k) match
Especially if your employer offers a Roth 401(k) option for your contributions. Don’t leave free money on the table.

2️⃣ Fund an HSA (if eligible)
This can be a powerful long-term tool, though it depends on your expected healthcare costs each year.

3️⃣ Contribute to a Roth IRA
More flexibility and investment choices than most employer plans.

4️⃣ Then circle back to your 401(k) or a brokerage account
This depends on your near-term goals and when you may need access to the money.

The “best” strategy depends on your situation, but having a plan and investing consistently matters more than finding the perfect account. 📈

04/27/2026

One of the most common questions I get: “How much should I be saving for retirement?”

A good general target is 10–15% of your income, which can include any employer mathcing.

If 10–15% feels out of reach right now, start where you can. Even small increases over time can have an impact.

The key is consistency, not perfection.

04/17/2026

April is Financial Literacy Month 💡

I love helping people talk through their questions and truly understand their money, not just handing it off and calling it a day.

Because when it clicks, everything changes ✨

04/09/2026

Financial planning isn’t about picking the “perfect” investments.

Most people do just fine with a simple, well-diversified portfolio.

Where real value comes in is the planning.

🔹Should you be contributing to a Roth or Traditional retirement account?
🔹Does it make more sense to rent or buy right now?
🔹If college savings should be prioritized over retirement?

Those decisions often have a bigger impact than the investments themselves.

03/25/2026

Even small changes in our habits can have a big impact on how we spend both our time and money.

We used to have live TV plus multiple streaming services, and it just became… background noise. Expensive background noise.

Last year, I decided to try something different and picked up a Kindle. There’s still a monthly subscription, but it’s less than what we were spending before, and it’s been a much more relaxing way to end the day.

The only downside? Staying up way too late because “just one more chapter” turns into five. 😆

03/12/2026

Tax season confession… even though I prepare taxes professionally, my own somehow still get pushed down the to-do list.

Between work, family life, and now that my daughter has officially hit the homework stage, some days feel like I'm being pulled in a dozen directions.

It’s a good reminder that we can’t do everything ourselves. I’m a big believer in “buying back” time where you can. Whether that’s a house cleaner, grocery pickup, or outsourcing something that frees up your mental space.

Financial planning and investment management can be one of those things. If you’re juggling a lot right now, you don’t have to do it all yourself.

Happy to help take one more thing off your plate.

03/05/2026

March is already here, which means tax season is well underway. It’s also a good reminder that there’s still time to make contributions to an IRA or HSA that can count toward your 2025 taxes.

If you’re planning to contribute, don’t wait until the last minute. Taking care of it now can help reduce stress as the filing deadline approaches and ensure everything is properly accounted for.

02/17/2026

📣 2025 Tax Reminder for Parents: You can open a Trump Account for your child when you file your 2025 return, and it’s not just for newborns!

Any U.S. child under age 18 with a valid Social Security number is eligible to have a Trump Account opened for them this way.

If your child was born between Jan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2028 and is a U.S. citizen, you can also elect to receive the $1,000 government seed contribution into their account.

Tax-advantaged savings start early, don’t forget to check Form 4547 when you file!

Address

Downers Grove, IL
60515

Telephone

+16305416363

Website

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