About Cairn FP

Have you ever seen a stack of rocks on a hike or in nature? That’s a cairn and it serves as assurance that the observer is on the right path. A symbol of guidance, reassurance, and direction. We want to be your cairn and guide you down a path of financial success.

Cairn Financial Planning is a fiduciary, which means we always put your best interests first. We are a fee-only advisory firm which means we never sell products or receive commissions. We always operate with the utmost integrity and work hard to earn your trust.

Our goal in working together is to make you feel educated and confident in your financial decisions. If you can fall asleep at night with little to no financial stress and peace of mind that you are well on your way to meeting your goals, we will know we are doing our job in helping you feel empowered over your finances.

See our Services page to get an idea of all the areas we could help you with.

About Melissa

Raised in the D.C. metropolitan area, Melissa attended Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!). After graduating with a B.S. in Applied Economic Management with a focus in Financial Planning from a CFP Board Certified program, she went on to work at various financial planning firms in D.C., New York, and Seattle. Since 2012, Melissa has worked with individuals and families from all walks of life and her focus has been helping young professionals and families to be more financially intentional so they can live the life they want. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA).

Melissa recently moved from Seattle to Bologna, Italy with her husband, Jeff, and golden retriever, Roebling. Odd name, right? The dog’s name, not her husband’s. Living in Europe was always thought of as a retirement goal for Melissa and Jeff, but life is short and some things should not have to wait until retirement.

About You

You are curious and want to engage in the planning process so you feel empowered over your finances. You have most likely started to do your own research on managing your finances and you have taken action in some areas, but it feels overwhelming and takes time away from doing the things you truly love. You are unsure if the generic recommendations out there fit your unique situation and you want guidance and reassurance that you aren’t missing out on beneficial planning opportunities.

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