Whether someone is 18 or 81, it's never too late to develop strong financial habits. At least, that's what Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and founder of Merlin Wealth Management, Michael Merlin, explains in his new book. As far as titles go, Financial Longevity: Increase Your Wealth Span, Spend Money Guilt-Free, and Gain the Confidence to Enjoy Your Bigger Future tells readers precisely what to expect within its pages.
While Merlin's book tackles multiple subjects, one of the main takeaways is "wealth span," the idea that financial security and lifespan go hand in hand. A greater focus on health and longevity can result in a longer life, but people must have the financial resources to maintain their quality of living.
Financial planning for the future can seem like a daunting and tedious process, but it doesn't have to be a burden. Instead of focusing on the stress of financial planning, the notion of a longer, happier life can make it a much easier hill to climb. The person who always wanted to try out a new career or travel the world needs to know it's never too late to actively participate in their own financial management and pursue financial stability that can last a lifetime.
While he's not the wizard who trained young King Arthur, Merlin does have some sage wisdom to pass on. The CFP has spent over twenty years as a financial advisor for multi-generational families, focusing on demystifying financial, estate, investment, and philanthropic planning for his clients.
Merlin's interest in wealth management stemmed from his grandmother's encouragement. The Holocaust survivor told Merlin he was the only one who could explain her finances in a way she could understand. That's a rare gift. Merlin said, "I built my business on the concept that no matter how wealthy someone became, their planning did not have to be so complicated that they couldn't explain it themselves."
Merlin Wealth Management has received recognition from Barron's, On Wall Street, Forbes, and The Financial Times. Additionally, Merlin has been recognized for his philanthropic services, including the Daniel Ginsberg Award from the Anti-Defamation League and a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Epstein School. The Atlanta Business Chronicle has also featured Merlin multiple times.
Merlin doesn't just aim to help individuals learn to manage wealth in Financial Longevity. All proceeds from the book contribute to The Perpetual Path Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing financial education. Funds from book sales, donations from the community, and advanced learning initiatives help support the establishment of more financial education programs in middle schools, high schools, and colleges across the United States.
The core passion behind Financial Longevity is education. Merlin explained, "I also think this new angle we started with the educational piece [will] become bigger than just the book and [giving] back to our community." He added, "By providing these resources to others, I actually think financial education is going to bring growth for our business as well."
Merlin teaches investment classes at a local high school and even helped endow a teacher innovation fund at an elementary school. During his educational work, the author noticed that there are no formal financial education requirements at any stage of schooling in Georgia. The Perpetual Path Foundation, through the sales of Merlin's book, seeks to combat that gap by funding financial education initiatives throughout the state.
Merlin Wealth Management also recently launched the Merlin Wealth Management Financial Education Micro-Credential at Kennesaw State University. It's an eight-module program that, despite only being available for a few months, has already been completed by thousands of students.
Clearly, the demand for accessible financial education exists, and Merlin is determined to provide it to people of all ages. By promoting financial literacy, Merlin and his initiative seek to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to plan their financial futures successfully.