Put your family first by putting your money first
Set your kids up to be financially successful from day one
Between you and your spouse, one has to be a financial leader
Once you set a budget, everything else falls into place
As the founder of Croom Financial, I believe financial planning should be about more than money. Financial planning done correctly should enhance your quality of life and transform your money into a life well lived.
I don’t pretend to be something I’m not. I’m a business owner by trade but a family man at heart. I strive to be a positive example for my clients and bring my financial knowledge, trustworthy advice, and fun-loving personality to each of my relationships.
Prior to becoming a financial advisor in 2004, I spent four years in the U.S. Navy where I attained the rank of lieutenant and served as a supply corps officer on the USS Nimitz. My many experiences in the Navy, from attending Nuclear Power School to managing a $1 million dollar operation on the USS Nimitz, taught me the valuable skills and strategies I employ every day as an independent advisor.
Like Armond, I believe financial planning should be about far more than just the numbers. When done right, it should enhance your quality of life and transform your money into a life well lived.
Harold is an accomplished wealth management professional with over two decades of experience. He holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of New Orleans and a Master of Divinity from the University of St. Thomas.
Family first by putting your money first mentality – you have to become the keeper of the money. You have to know when it is safe to spend and you have to be willing to say no. You have to learn how to walk the fine line. You have to also have a thick skin.
Sometimes it is you against the family.
They want to go to Disneyland, but you have to be willing to say no. But you have to say no in a loving way. You are thinking of them when you say no. The family needs to be financially secure so that they can accomplish all the other things that they want to accomplish.
Employers, Advertisers, and salespeople want to put you in the rat wheel of life. They don’t care whether or not you get you and your family in the right financial position. If you spend all of your money and then some, then fine by them. Just like I had to take control over my family’s finances, I want you to do the same. Let us help you get on track. Set yourself free from the rat wheel and become a financial leader!
The Financial Effect is about more than money, it’s about progress. By making small, intentional changes today, you create lasting impacts on your financial future. It all begins with leadership: taking control of your finances, setting clear direction, and turning actions into outcomes.
During the long nights of December, I decided to participate in my first knit-along—knitting Gnandad Gnome with Sarah Schira of Imagined Landscapes
As 2025 winds down, this is the perfect moment to pause, review, and realign your financial picture before stepping into a new year. A clean financial slate doesn’t happen by accident, it happens through intentional decisions made in the final weeks of the year. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, get organized, or build momentum for long-term goals, these year-end steps can help you enter 2026 feeling prepared and confident.
