There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to retirement. Everyone approaches this chapter of life differently.

Some people are ready to say goodbye forever to the 9-5 and dive into traveling and activities they didn’t have time for over the years. Others who were passionate about their career may want to keep a “toe in the water” and still work a few hours here and there. Some see themselves still working but pursuing a totally new venture.

No matter how—or where–you envision your golden years, you need a strategy to get there.

That means expert guidance. 

Cari Carlson, financial planner and CEO of Fruitful Financial in Lady Lake, believes in taking a personal, holistic approach to retirement planning because no two lives or dreams are the same.

“I help individuals and couples build strategies designed to provide confidence, protection and dependable growth and income throughout retirement,” says Cari. 

“Your retirement should be about enjoying the freedom you’ve earned, not worrying about your investments every day,” she says. “Together, we can create a retirement strategy designed to help you pursue your goals with greater confidence. My mission is simple: to help you move forward with confidence, clarity, and the freedom to pursue what you love in retirement.”

Florida Bound

Cari grew up in Virginia Beach where her father, Craig, a Naval aviator, served in the Navy and her mother, Carol, was a nurse. She is the younger sister to brother David. 

Faith and education were the foundation of their tight-knit, middle-class family.

“When I was a kid, I wanted to be a pediatrician, but I’m a numbers person,” says Cari. “I loved my math classes and am blessed that it came naturally.” 

After graduating from James Madison University, Cari was recruited to work as a mortgage advisor. It was a good learning experience that made her want to dive deeper and help people financially, but in a different way.

“While I was working on mortgages, I always wanted to look at the whole financial aspect of someone’s life, not just their buying of a home,” she says.

She made it her goal then to become a financial advisor.

Her years in the mortgage industry had developed her natural skills at communication and relationship building. She brought those talents to her work in financial advising. 

“In 2016 my parents moved down to Florda. They had taken a couple years to travel the country and then landed in The Villages,” says Cari, who lives in Sumter County just miles from them.

Today, Cari’s clientele hail from across Central Florida. For the past decade her work in finance has been focused on fixed index annuities. 

Since establishing her practice, Fruitful Financial, she has specialized in helping retirees and pre-retirees understand how fixed index annuities can play a role in a diversified retirement plan.

Building Relationships

“Retirement is about more than reaching a certain age, it’s about protecting the lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to achieve,” says Cari, who has made it her mission to prioritize ethics, education, and personal connection.

She has seen that people often make major financial decisions without truly understanding their options. From the beginning, she has taken a personal approach to each person who comes through her doors.

“My approach begins with listening,” she says. “Every individual has unique goals, concerns and dreams. Whether you’re worried about market volatility, outliving your savings, rising healthcare costs or creating a legacy for your loved ones, I work with you to develop a personalized retirement strategy that reflects your priorities.”

She believes the first step is always to listen. Whether walking someone through a complex policy or simply offering reassurance, she is known for her honesty, patience, warmth, and willingness to go the extra mile.

Cari doesn’t want anyone to settle for less than they deserve.

“There are many people out there who have the resources to live a worry-free life, but they don’t know it because they haven’t talked to someone,” she says. “I’ve sat down with people who are fully capable of retiring but didn’t realize they were.”

Informed & Educated 

Many people have questions about fixed index annuities. Cari wants them to ask those questions. She wants them to feel informed, empowered, and cared for.

“Education is at the heart of my practice,” says Cari, who wants people to have confidence and clarity about their investments.

As she explains, fixed index annuities are a great solution to someone who is concerned about market volatility. These annuities can provide solid opportunities for realistic returns of 10 to 12 percent. 

Fixed index annuities can play a role in a diversified retirement plan. These solutions offer principal protection from market downturns while providing solid opportunities for growth linked market index performance without directly investing in the stock market. 

“Depending on the product selected, they may also provide guaranteed lifetime income options to help create a reliable retirement paycheck to subsidize your current income,” says Cari. “They don’t make sense for everybody. I always want to explain the upside and potential downfalls.”

People have questions because annuities can be considered complex, but one thing Cari does well that many of her competitors don’t is sitting down with clients and explaining the good and the bad about annuities so people can make informed decisions. 

“Fixed annuities don’t have to represent your whole plan, but they can be part of an overall financial strategy,” she explains. “I’m going to recommend what makes the most sense for each individual and their situation.” 

Learning Seminars

A practical way Cari has found to inform people without pressure is to offer free educational seminars with a meal. Twice monthly she holds these seminars at Harry and the Natives on Lake Okahumpka.

“I talk for about 30 minutes about fixed annuities, and the rest of the time is eating and socializing,” says Cari, noting that dinner is included and there is no cost. 

Her seminars are popular and book up quickly. 

Cari appreciates that people who have attended seminars given by other financial advisors and then come to hers, often tell her that she comes across as the most moral and ethical. They leave her seminars feeling more informed and educated about investment options but also knowing there is no pressure to invest in a certain way. 

“I enjoy doing the seminars, but my favorite thing is when someone is sitting across the desk from me sharing their biggest concerns,” says Cari. “Then I get to help solve the problems that keep them up at night. I get so much satisfaction and fulfillment coming up with a financial plan to help someone feel secure. I’m always going to recommend what makes the most sense for that individual person and their situation.”

Downtime

When she’s not working, Cari enjoys spending time with family and friends. She swims for exercise and also plays water volleyball five times a week. She says she doesn’t have time for pickleball yet, but maybe one day.

For now, it’s just Cari and Dottie, the miniature Dachshund she describes as her little best friend.  

Her faith is an important aspect of her life. When she chose the name Fruitful Financial for her business, she wanted something that reflected faith and finances because there are strong similarities between them.

“Volunteering and church are a big part of my life,” says Cari, who attends Live Oak Community Church.

Since 2019, she’s been doing volunteer prison visitation at Federal Correctional Institution, Coleman, something she finds very rewarding. 

Looking Ahead

Whether you hope to retire within the next few years or are simply seeking a second opinion on your current retirement strategy, Cari is committed to helping you navigate today’s financial landscape with personalized guidance and exceptional service.

Unsure what your retirement will look like or when it’s even possible? 

Call Cari today and schedule a complimentary retirement consultation. You’ll sit down together and go over your current finances, discuss your concerns and future goals. 

“Together, we can create a retirement strategy designed to help you pursue your goals with greater confidence,” she says. “Discover how a customized retirement strategy may help you protect your savings and generate dependable income while still growing your account and enjoy the retirement you’ve envisioned.” 

Paid Promotional Feature

Photos: Nicole Hamel