WHO WE HELP
Real Client Stories. Real Success.
They Retired—But Their Portfolio Still Felt Like a Full-Time Job
The Retirees Who Traded Stress for Steady Income
Current Situation
Pat and Linda are a retired couple, ages 70 and 68, living in Tahoe with $1.2M in IRAs and brokerage accounts. After retiring from their dual careers in education and healthcare, Pat and Linda wanted to enjoy the next chapter—traveling, spending time with grandkids, and finally relaxing. But their investment portfolio still felt volatile and unpredictable, they were reluctant to spend any money out of fear it would run out. Income was lumpy, account values fluctuated, their tax bill felt too high, and their previous advisor just kept saying “stay invested.”
Solution
Cavalot Capital rebuilt their portfolio for income—not just growth through liability matching. We helped them shift from worry to confidence with a plan designed to preserve wealth, reduce taxes, and generate reliable cash flow while minimizing the ups and downs of the market.
We Helped Them…
- Reallocate investments to produce tax-smart income tailored to their needs and expenses
- Design a withdrawal strategy that coordinated IRAs, brokerage accounts, and RMDs
- Simplify accounts and consolidate reporting so they knew exactly where they stood
- Craft a living financial plan with spending guardrails so they knew how taking out money would affect their long-term goals
Today, Pat and Linda feel like their money is finally working for them—not the other way around.
If you’re retired, but your portfolio still feels like work, we can help you fix that.
He’s Crushing It at Work—But Wondering, “Are We Okay for Retirement?”
The Executive Who Turned Career Momentum Into Retirement Clarity
Current Situation
David, age 54, is a Bay Area marketing executive with $750K in savings, equity comp, and a business on the side. David had done well financially but had no idea if it was “enough.” With two kids heading to college and a demanding job, he didn’t have time to untangle old 401(k)s, equity grants, and side income from a consulting firm he co-founded. His wife had started asking, “Can we actually retire at 60—or are we just hoping?”
Solution
We helped David build a clear, tax-efficient roadmap toward retirement. With a timeline, income projections, and coordinated investment strategy, he now knows exactly where he stands—and how to get where he wants to go. Each dollar of savings and investments has a purpose, it is no longer just a large pool of money for “some day.”
We Help Him…
- Consolidate accounts and clarify real net worth
- Map out retirement income based on multiple work-optional scenarios and specific spending patterns
- Coordinate equity compensation strategies with college and retirement planning
- Align investment allocation with his life stage to maximize his assets
Now, David and his wife have a written plan, not just a hopeful projection—and confidence that they’re on track for the retirement they envision.
Be ready with someone in your corner to make adjustments for when, not if, the plan changes.
She Didn’t Want to Wait Until 65. She Wanted Options Now.
The Entrepreneur Building Her Own Financial Freedom Timeline
Current Situation
Jess, 38, is a Seattle-based product consultant and mom of two with $1.3M in equity, cash, and real estate. Jess didn’t dream of traditional retirement—she wanted flexibility. Her goal? Work when she wanted, travel with her kids, and eventually launch a passion project. But with income from consulting, equity from a previous startup, and two rentals in different states, it felt impossible to know when she’d be “free.” Online calculators didn’t cut it—and she didn’t trust generic FIRE advice that kept telling her to forego what she enjoys or to rent out a room in her family’s home. No thanks.
Solution
We created a flexible, multi-stream financial independence plan that prioritized clarity, tax-efficiency, and adaptability. Jess finally saw what was possible—and how close she already was. We were able to align her portfolio holdings with specific expenses she wanted to make so she felt her investments had purpose and gave her peace of mind.
We Helped Her…
- Build a dynamic cash flow model factoring consulting, real estate, and investments
- Use tax location strategies to improve after-tax returns and match liabilities
- Create an independence “readiness” dashboard to track progress over time
- Design a phased withdrawal plan for lifestyle changes in her 40s or 50s
Now, Jess isn’t chasing early retirement—she’s living her version of financial independence, backed by a plan that flexes with her life.
If your business is thriving but your finances still feel like a black box, we can help you fix that.
The above statements are for illustration purposes only; all client information is confidential.
