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Work with a SmartVestor Pro

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Faith and finance
the Ramsey way

As long-time fans of Dave Ramsey, we’ve built our firm around many of the same biblical principles—like financial peace, wise stewardship, and radical generosity—and of course, no sales commissions or cash value life insurance! Led by SmartVestor Pro, Doug Denlinger, we’re here to help you take the next right step and apply Ramsey’s principles to your life!

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Work with a SmartVestor Pro

Living out Ramsey’s principles

Why LifeGuide?

It’s not just lip service for us—we’ve met with Dave, taught Financial Peace University (FPU) classes, supported churches with facilitator training, and provided scholarships to help families pursue freedom through the Baby Steps! We serve our clients with the same heart and values as Dave:

  • We’re followers of Jesus. We provide biblically based guidance designed to strengthen your faith and maximize your peace, freedom, and eternal impact—not just your worldly wealth.
  • We offer Ramsey-specific investment portfolios. These portfolios allocate 100% of investment funds into four different types of stock funds, in accordance with Ramsey Solutions’ investing guidance: growth and income, growth, aggressive growth, and international.
  • We don’t sell insurance products. In fact we don’t accept any sales commissions at all, period. We proudly operate as an independent, fee-only, fiduciary firm working solely in your best interest.
  • We embrace the heart of a teacher. No jargon or “better than thou” attitude. Our salaried advisors walk alongside you as a true advocate and partner, meeting you exactly where you are to guide you through the Baby Steps and beyond.

 

About Us ▸ Get Started ▸

Living out Ramsey’s principles

Why LifeGuide?

It’s not just lip service for us—we’ve met with Dave, taught Financial Peace University (FPU) classes, supported churches with facilitator training, and provided scholarships to help families pursue freedom through the Baby Steps! We serve our clients with the same heart and values as Dave:

  • We’re followers of Jesus. We provide biblically based guidance designed to strengthen your faith and maximize your peace, freedom, and eternal impact—not just your worldly wealth.
  • We offer Ramsey-specific investment portfolios. These portfolios allocate 100% of investment funds into four different types of stock funds, in accordance with Ramsey Solutions’ investing guidance: growth and income, growth, aggressive growth, and international.
  • We don’t sell insurance products. In fact we don’t accept any sales commissions at all, period. We proudly operate as an independent, fee-only, fiduciary firm working solely in your best interest.
  • We embrace the heart of a teacher. No jargon or “better than thou” attitude. Our salaried advisors walk alongside you as a true advocate and partner, meeting you exactly where you are to guide you through the Baby Steps and beyond.

 

About Us ▸ Get Started ▸

Completed your Baby Steps?

Live and give like no one else!

Work with a SmartVestor Pro

You’ve paid off your mortgage, saved for college, invested for retirement, and built a strong foundation. Congrats! Now the fun truly begins! Once you’ve completed Baby Steps 1-6 and are on Step 7, this next season is no longer about following specific steps—it’s about discovering and fully leaning into your unique God given calling and making wise, faithful decisions!

We’re here to help you navigate important questions like:

  • Am I on track? What’s my finish line?
  • How do I invest wisely based on my goals, values, and tax situation?
  • How can I leverage my business to benefit my family and the Kingdom?
  • When can I retire and do something I’m truly passionate about?
  • Is there anything I can do to reduce my taxes?
  • What do I need to know about RMDs, QCDs, DAFs, and Roth conversions?
  • How can I prepare for the next big market drop?
  • How do I maintain a biblical perspective on money?
  • How can I make sure my spouse will be ok if I die first?
  • How do I leave an inheritance that helps (and not hurts) my children and grandchildren?
  • How can I be faithful, intentional, and smart about giving?

You’ve paid off your mortgage, saved for college, invested for retirement, and built a strong foundation. Congrats! Now the fun truly begins! Once you’ve completed Baby Steps 1-6 and are on Step 7, this next season is no longer about following specific steps—it’s about discovering and fully leaning into your unique God given calling and making wise, faithful decisions!

We’re here to help you navigate important questions like:

  • Am I on track? What’s my finish line?
  • How do I invest wisely based on my goals, values, and tax situation?
  • How can I leverage my business to benefit my family and the Kingdom?
  • When can I retire and do something I’m truly passionate about?
  • Is there anything I can do to reduce my taxes?
  • What do I need to know about RMDs, QCDs, DAFs, and Roth conversions?
  • How can I prepare for the next big market drop?
  • How do I maintain a biblical perspective on money?
  • How can I make sure my spouse will be ok if I die first?
  • How do I leave an inheritance that helps (and not hurts) my children and grandchildren?
  • How can I be faithful, intentional, and smart about giving?
Work with a SmartVestor Pro

Full Service
Planning, Advice, & Investment Management

Our Christian faith-based Financial Life Planning, Investment Management, and Survivor Assistance services are designed to help you truly live and give like no one else!

What’s included:

  • Deeply comprehensive planning — More than a basic roadmap, our Biblical Financial Life Planning process coordinates all areas of your financial life and develops strategies to lay the foundation for wise and faithful decision making. This allows you to maintain a gazelle-like focus on your calling and goals!
  • In-house investment management — We don’t outsource your investments to expensive third parties or sell high commission annuities. Instead, we construct, manage, and provide weekly monitoring for all client portfolios in-house utilizing Schwab Institutional as our preferred custodian. We offer personalized portfolios based on your financial life plan, values, and convictions (including SRI, BRI, ESG, and Impact Investing options).
  • Compassionate survivor support — You and your family will never have to walk alone. In the event of death, we will help settle your estate, retitle accounts, complete claim forms, and set up a new financial system that works for the survivors. You can know that your family will continue to have trusted guidance and support when it’s needed most.
Full Service ▸ Get Started ▸
Work with a SmartVestor Pro
Work with a SmartVestor Pro

By-the-Hour
Planning & Advice

LifeGuide Hourly provides you with fiduciary financial advice and guidance by the hour—in line with Dave’s principles and tailored to your needs—without any ongoing commitments or asset management fees.

Hourly Services:

  • Financial Plan & Portfolio Audit — Get an objective, unbiased, independent review by an experienced CFP® professional fiduciary advisor who shares Dave Ramsey’s perspective and isn’t trying to sell you anything. A trusted second opinion can help you uncover new opportunities and avoid hidden pitfalls, allowing you to move forward with confidence or course-correct before it’s too late.
  • Financial Life Planning Package — This four- to five-meeting package is designed for those who want a cohesive, comprehensive strategy while maintaining full control of their investment accounts. Our Financial Life Planning package brings clarity, coordination, and alignment across every area of your financial life.
  • A la Carte Analysis & Advice — Get the guidance you need and only pay for the time you use! Your agenda, your scope, no minimums, and no ongoing fees.
LifeGuide Hourly ▸ Get Started ▸

By-the-Hour
Planning & Advice

LifeGuide Hourly provides you with fiduciary financial advice and guidance by the hour—in line with Dave’s principles and tailored to your needs—without any ongoing commitments or asset management fees.

Hourly Services:

  • Financial Plan & Portfolio Audit — Get an objective, unbiased, independent review by an experienced CFP® professional fiduciary advisor who shares Dave Ramsey’s perspective and isn’t trying to sell you anything. A trusted second opinion can help you uncover new opportunities and avoid hidden pitfalls, allowing you to move forward with confidence or course-correct before it’s too late.
  • Financial Life Planning Package — This four- to five-meeting package is designed for those who want a cohesive, comprehensive strategy while maintaining full control of their investment accounts. Our Financial Life Planning package brings clarity, coordination, and alignment across every area of your financial life.
  • A la Carte Analysis & Advice — Get the guidance you need and only pay for the time you use! Your agenda, your scope, no minimums, and no ongoing fees.
LifeGuide Hourly ▸ Get Started ▸
Work with a SmartVestor Pro

Completed Baby Step 3?

Continue your FPU Journey

You’ve gone through Financial Peace University and have made great progress paying off debt and building your emergency fund. Congrats! At this point, the path forward on your Baby Steps becomes a bit more personalized as you wrestle with questions, like:

  • How much should I be investing—and where?
  • Is it smarter to pay off my mortgage or invest more aggressively?
  • What’s the right plan for college savings, giving, or retirement?

The reality is that the answers to these questions are not black and white—they are specific to you! We’ve designed our LifeGuide Essentials program to pick up seamlessly after Baby Step 3, providing laser-focused, biblically based guidance help you:

  • Clarify what’s most important in your life
  • Invest for retirement with confidence
  • Save intentionally for your child’s college or future goals
  • Make a plan to pay off your home faster
  • Give generously while staying on track for the long term
Learn More ▸ Get Started ▸
Work with a SmartVestor Pro

Our promise to you

We’re committed to providing every Dave Ramsey fan exceptional service. Which is why we stand behind all of our SmartVestor services with The LifeGuide Guarantee.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:
LifeGuide + Dave Ramsey

I'm interested in meeting with you. What's the first step?

The first step is to schedule a complimentary, no-pressure Exploration Meeting. We’ll use our time together to get to know each other and answer your questions. Following your Exploration Meeting, we’ll provide you with a personalized proposal so you can confidently make a decision knowing exactly what you’ll receive and how much it costs.

Do I have to meet in person, or can we work together virtually?

We serve clients locally and across the country. So, whether you prefer to meet in person at one of our offices or virtually from the comfort of your home, we’re happy and fully equipped to accommodate you in whatever way works best for you!

What are the requirements to become a SmartVestor Pro?

To be selected as a SmartVestor Pro, an advisor must meet several key qualifications set by Ramsey Solutions. These include:

  • Working for a firm that is not affiliated with Ramsey
  • Having at least two years of experience as a registered investing professional
  • Agreeing to Ramsey Solutions’ Code of Conduct and understanding the 7 Baby Steps
  • Participating in ongoing coaching to maintain high standards of client service

Is LifeGuide Financial Advisors endorsed by Dave Ramsey or Ramsey Solutions?

There’s a small but important distinction here: Ramsey Solutions does not designate firms as “SmartVestor Pros”—only individual advisors.

Our Managing Partner, Doug Denlinger, is a long-time SmartVestor Pro. While it’s Doug who officially holds the SmartVestor Pro title, our entire team shares the same heart and approach in how we serve our clients!

When should I consider working with a financial advisor if I’m following the Baby Steps?

The short answer is now! Wherever you are on your financial journey, having the right advisor to help you take the right next steps can be massively beneficial for your long-term success.

That said, we’ve found that it’s especially important to find a trusted financial advisor after completing Baby Step 3. That’s when questions about investing, saving for college, paying off your mortgage early, and giving more generously start to come into focus, and where having clarity around all of these “moving parts” starts to become less black-and-white and more custom-tailored to your specific situation.

Our LifeGuide Essentials program is designed to pick up seamlessly for those who have completed Baby Step 3.

Can you help me if I’m still working through Baby Steps 1–3?

Yes! While most of our clients come to us after completing Baby Step 3, we’re happy to have a conversation and point you in the right direction—whether that’s through one of our ongoing services or a one-time Pro Bono Session.

How are your advisors paid?

As a fee-only, fiduciary firm, our only source of income is the fees we charge for our services. LifeGuide advisors are paid a salary and do not receive any commissions or kickbacks.

In other words:

  • We are NOT commissioned salespeople
  • Our advice is based solely on what’s best for you
  • We’ll always explain any fees upfront so you can make an informed decision

Do you help with insurance, estate planning, or taxes?

Yes! As part of your overall Financial LifePlan, we help you evaluate needs in these areas and make sure you have everything in place. While we don’t sell insurance or prepare taxes, we’ll help you make informed decisions and connect with trusted professionals if needed.

What’s the difference between LifeGuide Essentials and your full-service planning?

We proudly serve clients at all asset levels with the same care, intentionality, and biblical perspective.

LifeGuide Essentials is built for individuals and families with less than $450k in investable assets—typically those who have completed Baby Step 3 and are beginning to build wealth. It’s a focused, values-based service designed to help you stay on track as you invest for the future, give generously, save for major goals, and pay off your mortgage—all with biblical wisdom and long-term clarity.

Our full-service Financial Life Planning, Investment Management, and Survivor Assistance offerings are designed for those with more than $450k in investable assets. Most often, those who have completed Baby Step 7 and are ready to, as Dave says, “live and give like no one else!” This level of service goes deeper, with more robust planning, investing options, and coordination with outside professionals (like attorneys and CPAs). It’s ideal for those seeking a comprehensive, highly personalized partnership to steward their wealth with purpose to make an eternal, Kingdom impact!

Who is Dave Ramsey?

Dave Ramsey is an extremely popular national radio personality and author of the New York Times best-selling books, Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover, and EntreLeadership. Learn More »

What are Dave’s 7 Baby Steps to financial peace?

Millions have worked through Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps to get out of debt into a life of saving and giving. Learn more »

What are Dave Ramsey's views on life insurance

If you’ve followed Dave Ramsey for any amount of time, you know he’s not too big on cash value life insurance. In fact, he hates cash value and never recommends it. When it comes to insurance, Dave Ramsey always chooses term life insurance vs. whole life insurance. But what are some mistakes to avoid when deciding on the types of term life to purchase? Learn more »

What do I need to know about Dave Ramsey and his SmartVestor Pros program?

SmartVestor Pros have a client-first mentality. SmartVestor Pros are committed to educating and empowering you. They don’t just offer a single company’s investment choices; they can shop around to help you reach your goals. Learn more »

Where can I read the SmartVestor™ disclosure?

Right here:

SmartVestor™ is an advertising service for investing professionals. Advertising fees paid by the SmartVestor Pros are not connected to any commission, portfolio, service, product, or other service offered or rendered by any SmartVestor Pros. SmartVestor Pros are subject to initial vetting by Ramsey Solutions, and they affirm a Code of Conduct. SmartVestor Pros are not employees or agents of Ramsey Solutions. Neither Ramsey Solutions nor its affiliates are engaged in rendering investing or other professional advice. Ramsey Solutions does not receive, control, access, or monitor client funds, accounts, or portfolios. Ramsey Solutions does not warrant any services of SmartVestor Pros and makes no claim or promise of any result or success of retaining a SmartVestor Pro. Your use of SmartVestor, including the decision to retain the services of any SmartVestor Pro, is at your sole discretion and risk. Any services rendered by SmartVestor Pros you contact are solely that of the SmartVestor Pro. The contact links provided connect to third-party sites. Ramsey Solutions and its affiliates are not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any information contained on third-party websites.

 

I cannot say enough wonderful things about LifeGuide. My husband and I began with LifeGuide 10 years ago when we had just married. LifeGuide helped walk us through the early years of marriage - teaching us how to save and budget appropriately in order to buy a new car, buy our first house, save up for kids and job changes, school and college expenses, etc. Through these years, the advisors at LifeGuide have also been such true financial counselors in allowing us to process what is at the heart of our views on money and how it relates to our family, our faith, and how we live our lives. We sit down regularly with our LifeGuide Advisors and set life goals (long term and short term) and then figure out how we can fit them into our budget and life plans. LifeGuide's help has allowed us to be living out many of our dreams now, and we are so thankful for their service to our family.— BeckyAs posted in Becky's Google Review

The presented testimonial is from a current LifeGuide Financial Advisors client and was obtained via a third-party website from 2021 onward. LifeGuide Financial Advisors reached out to a random sample of clients requesting voluntary feedback. Clients were not provided any compensation with respect to said testimonials. The testimonial provided is for informational purposes only and is not representative of all client experiences, which may differ substantially. Click here to view all the testimonials received by LifeGuide Financial Advisors on Google My Business.

1 – Ramsey SmartVestor Pro™ (“Ramsey”, “the Promoter”) is not a current client of, an investor with, or affiliated in any way with LifeGuide Financial Advisors, LLC (“LifeGuide”). LifeGuide compensates Ramsey via a flat monthly fee for their SmartVestor Pro™ endorsement. The compensation the Promoter receives for these promotion services, as described above, creates a conflict of interest in that the Advisor is compensating the Promoter in exchange for promoting its services and ultimately recommending utilizing the Advisor’s investment advisory services. The compensation paid to the Promoter by LifeGuide is for the promotion services and for referring interested parties to the Advisor and covers any expenses for these efforts. There is no increase in the advisory fees a referred Client will pay to the Advisor as a result of the Promoter’s agreement with the Advisor.

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