Even from a young age, I loved math, which led me down the engineering path in college. My father was a financial advisor, so I had the opportunity early on to learn about money and see how financial decisions are the “common denominator” that affect so many areas of one’s life. In addition to math, I’ve also always had an affinity for connecting with people. Naturally, I wanted to find a way to blend these passions. At age 25, I decided to work with my father in financial planning, and it didn’t take me long to realize that I loved the field and it was a perfect fit.
Psychology And Finances
I believe that the role of a financial advisor is about much more than investment strategy; we named our firm Attitude Financial because attitude and finances are inseparable. Improving your financial life requires a change in your mindset and habits, and that is something we have always felt strongly about. You might not be able to buy happiness, but virtually everything we want in life costs money, either directly or indirectly. It’s difficult for many people to make good financial decisions in every area, and that’s one of the reasons that I find my career especially fulfilling as a financial advisor.
My role is to help my clients maximize their potential for meeting their life goals. I do this by giving them financial advice that integrates relevant elements of their personal and financial lives. Everyone’s circumstances are different, which makes the recommendations and strategy different for everyone. Clients are unique, and just like snowflakes, no two are the same! Making financial decisions is not just about knowing what to do. Human beings are emotional and driven by habits, so your financial strategy needs to take your emotional behavior into account, because any plan is only as good as your ability to execute it.
Three Types Of Clients
While I have worked with a wide range of clients, I’ve found there are three types of clients for whom I can add a lot of value when it comes to addressing their inherent challenges.
- Entrepreneurs and business owners. I find it especially rewarding to work with clients who are looking to pursue their passion in a financially responsible way. Running your own business requires fundamentally different ways of thinking about money, saving, paying taxes, and investing. I like to help my clients create and implement financial strategies that align with their vision for their businesses and their lifestyles—because, for a business owner, life and business are often deeply interwoven.
- Busy professionals who need to delegate. Busy professionals in any field need to buy back as much time as possible because time is the only asset that can never be replaced after it’s gone. Part of my role is to help people identify practical strategies for freeing up blocks of time to do more of what they want to do. Quite often, very successful people tend to put off planning for their financial futures because they’re so busy! Between work responsibilities, taking care of the family, and some evening TV time, almost every second of the day is already accounted for. I find it rewarding to take financial planning off of my clients’ plates, allowing them to take control of their financial decisions and improve their long-term quality of life.
- People approaching retirement. Retirement is less likely to be an “event” and more likely to take the form of a gradual transition as people work a little bit less each year. How will you fill the 40-hour gap when work no longer consumes your schedule? As my father said about his own retirement, “I love golf, but I can’t play golf for 40 hours a week.” From the beginning of the relationship, I encourage my clients to start thinking about this question as soon as possible, because the answer will shape many aspects of the remaining working years as well as retirement itself.
Let’s Connect
If you would like to discuss how I can help you create a strategy for getting more of what you want, and learning how to set yourself up for success, please feel free to reach out to me via email at btrugman@attitudefinancial.com or give me a call at (516) 762-7603.
About Bryan
Bryan is a dedicated and motivated Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner with more than 12 years of experience. He enthusiastically followed in his father’s footsteps and co-founded Attitude Financial Advisors, and he plays a key role in the firm’s continued evolution.
Bryan helps guide young professionals and baby boomers achieve their financial goals. His range of expertise allows him to address the needs of new parents seeking to realign their finances, assist divorced individuals presented with an unforeseen fork in the road, and help those seeking to accrue a dependable retirement nest egg. Bryan prides himself on being a good listener, getting to know clients, and learning about what is important to them.
Bryan earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a minor in mathematics from State University of New York at Binghamton.
Bryan has served on the board of the Financial Planning Association and continues to be actively involved in the national organization. He is also a member of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce, for which he has served as a vice president and board member.
In addition to taking the lead with clients, Bryan enjoys taking the lead on the ballroom dance floor. Partnering outdoors, he can be spotted engaging in a fast-paced game of doubles on the tennis court. He resides on the east side of midtown Manhattan.
