Your Financial Guide While Climbing The Retirement Mountain
Gary Scofield, CSA, CLTC
Our independence gives our clients choices and great flexibility.
We help people achieve retirement goals with personalized guidance. We address concerns like affordability, savings longevity, healthcare, markets, inflation, and taxes. We take great interest in understanding each client's unique situation, so we can provide tailored solutions and unbiased advice.
We are motivated to help our clients achieve their financial and retirement goals through education and empowerment. Having witnessed firsthand the negative impact of market volatility and risk on retirement plans, we understand the importance of guiding individuals towards long-term financial well-being. Many people are unaware of how their present decisions can profoundly affect their financial security. Our mission is to provide unbiased information and personalized financial advice tailored to each client's specific circumstances. As independent advisors, we have the freedom to explore a wide range of options to meet our clients' needs effectively.
We primarily work with individuals who are planning for or are already in retirement. With over four decades of experience, we have helped thousands of people reach their financial and retirement goals. The common concerns we address include determining retirement affordability, preventing the risk of outliving savings, managing medical and long-term care expenses, navigating market volatility and inflation, and minimizing tax obligations during retirement.
We take a personalized approach to help individuals by understanding their unique circumstances, goals, and concerns. As independent advisors, we have access to diverse products and solutions to create comprehensive plans that provide secure and predictable lifetime income. Our mission is to guide people towards a worry-free retirement, building lasting relationships along the way. Many of our clients have become cherished friends who we support throughout their journey.
Meet Gary Scofield, a financial pro with 46 years of expertise. His journey started unexpectedly during tough times in the construction business. What seemed like a quick fix turned into a lifelong passion for financial advising.
Thriving through economic ups and downs, Gary carved out a niche as a trusted advisor. His genuine enjoyment turned a brief pause into a steadfast commitment, echoing Henry Ford's wisdom that a job you love doesn't feel like work.
As a seasoned financial advisor, Gary's dedication shines through his lifetime membership in the Million Dollar Round Table. His expertise extends to senior financial planning and long-term care, holding certifications as a Certified Senior Advisor and Certified Long-Term Care specialist. Pursuing additional designations in ChFC and CLU, Gary stays ahead in industry knowledge.
For Gary, it's not just a career; it's a lifelong commitment driven by passion and a love for helping others achieve financial success. With an impressive track record, he continues to make a significant impact in the lives of those he serves, embodying the spirit of a seasoned financial advisor.
Gary and his wife Melinda are fortunate to reside in the scenic foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in New York State. Their deep-rooted values place a strong emphasis on family, with their five children and seven grandchildren bringing immeasurable joy to their lives. Making a positive impact within their community is a top priority for them, as they actively volunteer at their local county animal shelter, providing much-needed comfort and care to animals awaiting their forever homes. They treasure quality time spent with loved ones, often embarking on adventures such as traveling, camping, and hiking. When seeking tranquility and renewal, they are drawn to the serenity of the mountains and lakes that surround them.
On the personal side, Gary's lifelong love for skiing began during his childhood in Vermont, and it continues to bring him immense excitement and joy. Alongside skiing, he has a strong affinity for classic sports cars, especially convertibles. Another passion of his is motorcycle touring, where he finds freedom and exhilaration in owning and exploring different makes and models of bikes on the open road.
We believe in guiding our clients to a happier lifestyle on the journey to and through retirement. We are excited to share a few podcasts with you, in hopes that it will give you a better understanding of how we can help you get to the "summit of retirement."
For over four decades I have been motivated to help my clients achieve their financial and retirement goals through education and empowerment. Having witnessed firsthand the negative impact of market volatility and risk on retirement plans, I understand the importance of guiding individuals towards long-term financial well-being. Many people are unaware of how their present decisions can profoundly affect their financial security. My mission is to provide unbiased information and personalized financial advice tailored to each client's specific circumstances. As independent advisors, we have the freedom to explore a wide range of options to meet my clients' needs effectively.
I live in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in New York with my wife, Melinda, who is also the Director of Operations. We are blessed with five children and seven grandchildren. I am an animal lover, especially dogs, and we enjoy volunteering at our local animal shelter. Spending time with loved ones is precious to us, and we cherish moments with family and friends. Traveling, camping, and hiking are activities we relish, especially when surrounded by mountains and lakes. On a personal note, skiing has been a lifelong passion for me since my childhood in Vermont. I also have a deep fondness for classic sports cars, particularly convertibles, and the thrill of motorcycle touring.
Melinda is a retired educator with a remarkable 30-year career in the education and corporate training fields. For a decade, she dedicated herself to teaching math to middle and high school students, followed by 20 years in state government, where she educated fellow employees using technology-based training methods.
At Mansfield Financial Strategies, Melinda has found the perfect opportunity to apply her wealth of experience and expertise in instructional technology. Currently, she is pursuing an insurance license to further enhance her ability to serve the company's clients effectively.
During her leisure time, Melinda indulges in her passion for gardening and takes pride in creating various jams, jellies, pickles, and relishes using produce from her own vegetable garden. Besides gardening, she enjoys baking and immersing herself in a good book. Melinda's dedication to horticulture is evident as she actively completes the Master Gardener program with her local Cooperative Extension.
On a more personal note, Melinda cherishes her family, including her children and grandchildren, holding them dear to her heart. She cherishes quality time spent with her husband Gary, whether they're working together or, ideally, exploring new places through travel.
Jim Haass is a seasoned financial professional with an impressive track record spanning over two decades as a special agent with Northwestern Mutual, where he honed his expertise in guiding clients through complex financial landscapes. He further excelled as a financial advisor, contributing his insights to some of the industry's largest commercial banks, including JP Morgan and HSBC, for a commendable 15 years. In his commitment to education, Jim served as a presenter of enlightening "Taxes in Retirement" seminars for two years, empowering individuals with essential knowledge.
Peter has loved art since as far back as his memories go - and has been drawing his world for about the same. But when he was asked to design his first logo when he was 15, he knew that he had found his calling. Passion is knowing that what you do makes a difference. Peter takes ideas from his clients, and turns them into designs, and then develop those designs into forms that rock our world.
We are committed to supporting charitable organizations that make a positive impact. Giving back to our community is a priority, and we find fulfillment in volunteering at our local county animal shelter, providing comfort and care to animals awaiting adoption.