Chelsae Carmickle-Financial Advisor

08/21/2026

Finished refinishing our dining room table this week!

Redoing furniture is something I've always enjoyed, although "enjoyed" might be a strong word when you're covered in sawdust, your back hurts, and Lil Miss Ma'am has claimed all the bending-over space these days. 😂

My grandpa Nick was an amazing wood carver. Years ago, I decided that if I wanted to help preserve some of his work and keep his craftsmanship alive, I needed to learn a little about working with wood myself.

Now, woodworking isn't exactly my favorite hobby. It's messy, time-consuming, and a lot harder than people realize. But there's something special about taking a piece that looks worn out and bringing it back to life. Seeing the beauty hidden underneath all those years makes every sore muscle worth it.

Honestly, it reminds me a lot of life and business. The best things usually aren't built overnight. They take patience, consistency, and plenty of hard work behind the scenes. Sometimes you have to strip away what's worn out, smooth out the rough spots, and trust the process before you can appreciate the final result.

Today I'm thankful for the lessons Grandpa Nick passed down and for the reminder that good things are worth the work. ❤️

Now if anyone needs me, I'll be admiring this table well I work on growing my next project. 😆

08/12/2026

📈👶 Market Update: An Unexpected Return

After careful planning, extensive research, and a long-term investment strategy... life had a slightly different plan.

My fiancée and I are thrilled to announce that we're expecting a baby end of 2026! ❤️

While this little one wasn't exactly on our forecast for this year, it's already proving to be the most rewarding return imaginable.

As a father-daughter advisory team, we've spent years helping families plan for future generations. Now, we're excited to welcome the next generation in our own family. ❤️

Some of life's greatest blessings can't be forecasted, modeled, or perfectly planned, and we're so grateful for this unexpected chapter.

📈 Projected growth: Rapid

🐻 Sleep forecast: Bear market

❤️ Return on investment: Priceless

🚀 Long-term outlook: Extremely bullish

Thank you to our clients, friends, and family for being part of our journey. We can't wait to meet our newest little blessing!

07/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BP5gPUzgx/

Some of the best conversations don't happen in a conference room—they happen on the water.

This Saturday, the Turtle Club is heading to **Exchange Club Island**, one of Jacksonville's hidden gems. We'll take a short paddle across the river and spend the afternoon exploring shaded walking trails, relaxing on the beach, sharing lunch, and escaping the usual rush of the week.

With temperatures climbing, we intentionally moved our launch to the afternoon to take advantage of the tide. We'll arrive as the tide nears low, giving us access to more sandy shoreline and shallow water—the perfect place to cool off and enjoy summer.

One of the reasons I started the Turtle Club was to create opportunities for people to build genuine connections outside of work. No networking agenda, no pressure—just good people, fresh air, and a chance to unplug for a few hours.

If you've been thinking about getting out on the water or meeting new people, this is a great trip to join.

🗓 **Saturday**
📍 Arlington Road Boat Ramp
🕐 Arrive: 12:45 PM | Launch: 1:00 PM

Bring water, sunscreen, lunch, and your kayak or paddleboard. Hope to see you there!

07/04/2026

Money wisdom from Ben Franklin!

06/30/2026

Identity theft is becoming more common every day. Here’s what to do if it happens to you, along with some ways to make it harder for fraudsters to steal your identity and credit

Here’s what to do if you fall victim to identity theft and tips for making it harder for fraudsters to steal your good name

06/27/2026

There are so many reasons to create a will this month, but here are three big ones to consider:

Direct Your Property: Creating a will tells the courts how you want your property distributed. Without a will, state laws will determine how your estate is divided, which may not align with your intentions.

Provide instructions to the probate court: A will can help manage the probate process, providing instructions to the court.

Designate Guardianship for Minor Children: If you have minor children, a will allows you to appoint a guardian to care for them. This crucial step directs that your children are raised by someone you trust, rather than leaving the decision to the courts.

06/09/2026

Lately I’ve just been really thankful for the people and communities I’m surrounded by.
Spent some time with the Travis Manion Foundation — always a great reminder of what it looks like to serve others and stay grounded in something bigger than yourself.
Also got to hang out with my turtle club (which, yes, is still one of my favorite ways to unplug and reconnect with nature) and connect with my BNI group — people who consistently show up, support each other, and keep each other accountable.
Something I’ve been reminded of recently is how important it is to stay connected — not just to good people, but to the world around us too. Getting outside, slowing down a bit, and being present makes a bigger difference than we sometimes give it credit for.
They’re all very different groups, but they have one thing in common: good people who genuinely care.
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but moments like these remind me that the relationships you build — with people and with the life you’re creating — are what really matter.

06/08/2026

05/21/2026

Across family finance and entrepreneurship research, one pattern shows up consistently:

Outcomes improve most for people who stay engaged, not for those who wait until pressure forces action.
Planning doesn’t reward perfection.
It rewards participation.

Families who review, adjust, and revisit their finances outperform those who delay.

Business owners who maintain structure outperform those who rely on intensity alone.

Why this matters:

Planning isn’t something you “get once.”
It’s a practice that supports better decisions over time — especially when life expands.

Sources:
• CFP Board — Planning engagement and confidence studies
• Vanguard — Investor behavior & long‑term participation research

05/14/2026

Major life transitions — children, career shifts, business launches — tend to arrive faster than expected.

Behavioral and planning research consistently shows that people who prepare before transitions experience:

Lower regret
Higher follow‑through
Reduced financial shock

This aligns with long‑standing financial planning principles:
Preparation is most effective when it’s not rushed.
Waiting until a transition forces action often limits options.

Why this matters:
Readiness isn’t pessimistic.
It’s respectful of future responsibility.

The best plans are built while life is still stable.

Sources:
• Journal of Financial Planning — Life‑transition preparedness studies
• Federal Reserve — Household shock‑response research