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Wealth management is not a one-size-fits-all process. Each stage of life brings its own financial priorities, risks and responsibilities. Yet according to Jeffrey Fratarcangeli, founder and CEO of Fratarcangeli Wealth Management, the key principles of financial success – discipline, consistency and adaptability – apply across generations.
“The fundamentals of wealth management do not change,” Fratarcangeli says. “What changes is how you apply them. Whether you are just entering the workforce or managing retirement distributions, habits like saving, budgeting and living below your means will always be important to maintain.”
Fratarcangeli shares his perspective on how individuals can build and preserve wealth at every stage of life.
Build a Financial Foundation Early (Under 18)
Financial habits form long before a person earns their first paycheck. Fratarcangeli encourages families to introduce financial concepts early by linking money to effort and accountability.
“Children should understand that money is earned, not given,” he says. “If you make them responsible for small financial decisions, you teach them discipline and value from the start.”
At Fratarcangeli Wealth Management, he often advises clients to involve their children in age-appropriate financial conversations. Tools like custodial investment accounts can become live learning opportunities to begin teaching children about markets, saving and compounding growth.
“Financial literacy is not just about accruing wealth; it is about developing good behaviors,” Fratarcangeli notes. “The earlier those lessons are learned, the stronger the foundation for adulthood.”
Discipline Creates Stability During Your Working Years (Ages 18–70)
For working adults, Fratarcangeli’s advice is straightforward: save consistently and live below your means. He emphasizes what he calls the “Rule of 20,” saving 20% of every paycheck.
“The most important thing you can do is always set aside a portion of your income for every single paycheck you receive,” he says. “If you get into that habit, you will be setting yourself up for long-term financial stability.”
By consistently setting aside 20% of each paycheck, individuals can build better financial resilience and avoid going into debt when unexpected expenses arise. However, Fratarcangeli points out that too many adults often fail to build adequate emergency funds.
“The average American could get an unexpected bill for $1,000 and it would put them in debt,” he explains. “That tells you right away that they are not saving enough. The Rule of 20 is meant to help you create structure so you do not have to panic when life happens.”
Fratarcangeli also cautions against emotional decision-making, particularly during periods of market volatility.
“You cannot let short-term noise dictate long-term plans,” he says. “If your financial house is in order, you can afford to be patient.”
Protect What You Built in Your Retirement Years (Ages 70–90+)
As individuals enter retirement, their financial focus typically shifts from accumulation to preservation. However, Fratarcangeli stresses that maintaining purchasing power remains essential, particularly given the rising costs of healthcare and inflation.
“Healthcare costs are the biggest factor to consider for retirees,” he says. “Even with great coverage, the expenses are staggering. If your money is not working for you in some portion of your portfolio, you are losing purchasing power.”
He advises retirees to strike a balance between liquidity and growth. Holding too much in cash can erode value over time, while ignoring inflation can undermine decades of planning.
“At this stage, people fall into two categories: those who have more than enough and risk hurting their heirs through poor planning, and those who need to stay invested to sustain their lifestyles,” Fratarcangeli explains. “Either way, the goal is to stay disciplined and intentional.”
Fratarcangeli also points out that maintaining the right network of financial, legal and tax advisors is especially important in later years.
“This stage of life is not the time for guesswork,” he explains. “You need experienced professionals who can coordinate across your full financial picture.”
Wealth Management: A Continuous Process, Not a Single Event
Across every generation, Fratarcangeli emphasizes that wealth management is a lifelong process, not a milestone.
“People get caught up thinking they can fix everything with one big move, one investment, one inheritance or one market rally,” he notes. “That is not how real wealth works. It is built and protected one disciplined decision at a time.”
Fratarcangeli Wealth Management takes a 360-degree approach to managing client portfolios, ensuring that each client’s investments, insurance, estate and tax planning strategies align with long-term objectives.
“We are not just buying and selling,” he says. “We are managing the entire financial picture so our clients can focus on living their lives.”
For more insight from Jeffrey Fratarcangeli, visit www.fratarcangeliwealth.com.