What is a flat-fee fiduciary financial planner?

A flat-fee fiduciary financial planner charges a transparent, fixed fee for financial planning services — not a percentage of your assets under management. As a fiduciary, we are legally required to act in your best interest at all times. Awaken Financial Designs charges a flat fee only, with no AUM percentages and no commissions on planning advice.

Can I retire before 60?

Early retirement before age 60 is achievable for many dual-income couples and families through proactive tax planning, Roth conversion strategies, income bridge design, and intentional account sequencing. Awaken Financial Designs specializes in flat-fee early retirement planning for clients in Cary, NC and virtually across the country.

What is the difference between a flat-fee advisor and an AUM advisor?

An AUM advisor charges a percentage of your assets under management — typically 1% per year — meaning their compensation grows as your portfolio grows. A flat-fee advisor like Awaken Financial Designs charges a fixed planning fee regardless of portfolio size. This removes the financial incentive to prioritize portfolio growth over tax efficiency, retirement timing, or other planning decisions that matter most to you.

What is a Roth conversion strategy and how does it help with early retirement?

A Roth conversion strategy involves moving funds from a traditional pre-tax retirement account into a Roth IRA during lower-income years, paying tax now at a lower rate to avoid higher taxes later. For early retirees, this strategy can reduce required minimum distributions, lower lifetime tax burden, and create tax-free income in retirement. Awaken Financial Designs integrates Roth conversion analysis into all early retirement plans.

Is Awaken Financial Designs a registered investment adviser?

Yes. Awaken Financial Designs LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser with the North Carolina Securities Division and the Arizona Corporation Commission. CRD #339725. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

Where is Awaken Financial Designs located and who do you serve?

Awaken Financial Designs is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina and serves clients across the greater RTP area including Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex, and Morrisville. We also serve clients in Arizona and operate as a virtual-first firm, offering financial planning services remotely across select states where we are registered or exempt.

What makes Awaken Financial Designs different from other financial advisors?

Awaken Financial Designs is a flat-fee fiduciary firm — we never charge AUM fees or earn commissions on planning advice. We specialize in tax-forward early retirement planning for dual-income couples and families. We are Veteran and Woman Owned. We also integrate optional mindfulness, breathwork, and wellness practices to support clearer financial decision-making. Our Awakened Wealth and Life Alignment Method is a proprietary 7-stage planning framework that blends financial strategy with intentional life design.

What is the Awakened Wealth and Life Alignment Method?

The Awakened Wealth and Life Alignment Method is a proprietary 7-stage financial planning framework developed by Awaken Financial Designs. The seven stages are Protect, Flow, Power, Love, Voice, Vision, and Peace. Each stage addresses a specific dimension of financial and life planning — from foundational protections and tax strategy through legacy, communication, early retirement design, and long-term alignment. The method integrates financial rigor with optional mindfulness and wellness practices.

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Retire Earlier: Aligned Wealth & Life Experience

Saturday, May 2, 2026
10:00 AM 11:30 AM

Awaken Financial Designs Cary, NC, 27513 United States (map)

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A Mindful, Wellness-Integrated Financial Experience. Breathwork · Tax-Aware Strategy · Early Retirement Planning · RSUs · Clarity

Sign Up and Register by Clicking Here

What would your life feel like if your financial decisions were no longer driven by uncertainty… but guided by clarity, intention, and a deeper sense of alignment?

This experience begins differently. We open with a short, guided breathwork session and light movement to help quiet the noise of daily life and create a clear, grounded space for thinking through the decisions that matter most. From there, we walk through financial and tax strategies designed to help you move toward earlier, more intentional retirement with greater confidence.

ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE

What if retirement and financial planning felt clear… not overwhelming?

This in-person experience is designed for thoughtful individuals and couples who want to better understand their financial future without the noise, pressure, or confusion.

You will gain clarity around:

• early retirement possibilities and timing
• tax strategy and long-term impact
• investing and account structure
• how everything works together as one plan

This is not a typical financial class.

It is a guided, educational experience where strategy and awareness come together, so you can better understand your options and make decisions that align with your life.

• Small group setting (approximately 30 attendees)
• Elevated, focused classroom environment

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

We will walk through real-world planning scenarios and practical examples, including:

• How clarity of mind impacts financial decision-making and long-term outcomes
• How different account types interact and create tax consequences
(401(k), TSP, 403(b), IRA, Roth IRA, brokerage accounts, RSUs, and more)
• Roth IRA conversion strategies and timing considerations
• Long-term capital gains and tax-efficient investing strategies
• Strategic decision-making around Social Security benefits
• Tax-efficient retirement income and withdrawal planning
• Inheritance and legacy-focused tax considerations
• Estate planning fundamentals (Wills vs. Trusts)
• How to think about your financial freedom number and what is truly enough
• How to regulate your nervous system to improve clarity, focus, and decision-making

WHO THIS IS FOR

This experience is a strong fit if:

• You are in your 40s, 50s, or early 60s
• You are wondering whether you are truly on track or simply hoping you are
• You want to better understand taxes, retirement, and investing without overwhelm
• You value a calm, thoughtful, and intentional learning environment
• You are open to a more aligned and holistic approach to financial decision-making
• Retiring with greater clarity, confidence, and peace of mind matters to you

WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE

This is not a traditional seminar or presentation. It is a structured, educational experience designed to help you think more clearly and make more intentional financial decisions.

Throughout the session, we incorporate brief, optional elements to support clarity, focus, and well-being:

• Guided breathwork
• Light movement and grounding techniques
• Short visualization exercises
• Intentional pauses for reflection

These practices are included to:

• reduce mental noise
• improve focus
• support clearer financial thinking
• create a more present and engaged experience

ABOUT YOUR GUIDES

David Lundberg, MBA, MSCJ
Founder & Wealth, Tax & Life Guide, Marine Veteran

Ashley Lundberg, MSBL
Co-Founder, Financial Educator & Wellness Coach

Since 2015, they have guided individuals and families through:

• retirement planning
• tax strategy
• income planning
• long-term financial clarity

Their approach combines:

• formal financial expertise
• real-world planning experience
• a calm, human-centered environment

They are also certified in breathwork and meditation and are Yoga Alliance–certified instructors. They will also be Yoga Teacher Instructor 200 Hours by May 2026 as well. These practices are thoughtfully integrated to support clarity, focus, and more intentional decision-making.

A MOMENT OF REFLECTION

Before making any financial decision, it can be helpful to pause and ask:

If I continue on my current path, will my future feel aligned… or simply familiar?

Sign Up and Register By Clicking Here on Eventbrite