When I meet with someone new to wealth management, I often hear the same question: “Where do I even start?”

It’s a fair question—and one I’ve answered many times over the years. Whether you’re in your early 20s just entering the workforce in Miami, a family looking to build long-term security in Naples, or a recent retiree relocating to sunny Sarasota, the principles of wealth management remain the same. The key is to begin with clarity, discipline, and a strategy tailored to your life stage and goals.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the foundational steps I use at Manna Wealth Management to help beginners in Florida and beyond take control of their financial future.

Step 1: Know What Wealth Means to You

Wealth is personal. It doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some of my clients in Orlando, wealth means retiring by age 55 with the freedom to travel. For others in Fort Lauderdale, it’s about owning real estate that generates passive income or leaving behind a financial legacy for their children.

When you define what success means to you, everything else starts to fall into place. I always begin by asking my clients:

• What are your short-term and long-term goals?
• What are your fears when it comes to money?
• What does financial freedom look like to you?

This clarity becomes the foundation of a sound wealth management plan.

Step 2: Build a Solid Financial Foundation

Before we talk about investing, I focus on financial hygiene—the essential habits and structures that support a healthy financial life. No one builds a strong house without first laying the foundation.

Here’s what that foundation typically includes:

• Emergency Savings: Set aside at least 3–6 months of living expenses in a high-yield savings account. For Florida residents, especially with hurricane season and other risks, this buffer is critical.
• Debt Management: High-interest debt, especially from credit cards, can derail your long-term plans. We create a debt payoff strategy tailored to your cash flow.
• Proper Insurance Coverage: Life, health, home, auto, and disability insurance are all part of managing risk. Wealth management isn’t just about growth—it’s also about protection.
• Budget & Cash Flow Planning: Many clients are surprised how much money leaks from their budget each month without awareness. A strong budget reflects your values, not just your bills.

I’ve had clients from Tampa to Boca Raton completely transform their financial lives just by addressing these basic building blocks.

Step 3: Start Investing—But Start with a Plan

Many beginners are eager to start investing—and that’s great—but investing without a plan is like sailing without a compass.

When I work with beginners at Manna Wealth Management, I help them build a diversified portfolio that matches their time horizon, risk tolerance, and goals. We discuss:

• Asset allocation: What percentage of your portfolio should be in stocks, bonds, or alternative assets?
• Time horizon: Are you investing for retirement 30 years from now? A down payment in 5 years?
• Tax strategy: How can you minimize taxes today and in retirement?
• Inflation: How do we make sure your purchasing power keeps up?

A client in Palm Beach once came to me after putting a large chunk of their savings into individual stocks based on online tips. After suffering significant losses, they realized the value of professional guidance. We rebuilt their portfolio with a diversified, long-term approach, and today they’re on track for a comfortable retirement.

Step 4: Understand the Role of Emerging Investments Like Cryptocurrency

Let’s talk about crypto. It’s one of the most common topics I’m asked about—especially by younger investors and those relocating to Florida from tech-heavy states like California or New York.

At Manna Wealth Management, we’ve developed a dedicated cryptocurrency advisory service to help clients navigate this rapidly evolving asset class. Whether it’s Bitcoin, Ethereum, or emerging DeFi tokens, it’s essential to understand:

• Volatility: Crypto markets can swing dramatically—sometimes in hours.
• Tax implications: The IRS considers crypto property, not currency. Every trade is potentially taxable.
• Security risks: Cold wallets, hot wallets, exchanges—managing digital assets requires a different mindset.

While I’m not here to discourage interest in crypto—I’ve helped several Florida clients responsibly allocate a portion of their portfolios to it—I am here to ensure it fits within a well-structured, long-term wealth plan.

If you’re curious about crypto, my advice is simple: Never invest without a strategy. And never invest money you can’t afford to lose.

Step 5: Think Generationally, Not Just Personally

Wealth management isn’t just about what happens in your lifetime. Many of my clients in Florida are thinking about how to pass wealth on to their children and grandchildren. Estate planning, trusts, and tax-efficient transfers become essential tools in later stages of your financial life.

But even if you’re just starting out, it’s not too early to begin this thinking. Wealth has the potential to multiply over time—if managed wisely.

• Do you have a will or a basic estate plan?
• Have you set up beneficiaries correctly on your accounts?
• Are you contributing to retirement accounts that offer tax-deferred growth?

These aren’t just boxes to check—they’re ways to protect your legacy and ensure your loved ones are taken care of, no matter what.

Step 6: Work with a Fiduciary Who Puts You First

In the world of financial advice, not all advisors are created equal. As a fiduciary, I’m legally and ethically required to act in the best interests of my clients—always. That matters, especially when you’re trusting someone with your money, your goals, and your future.

At Manna Wealth Management, we’re proud to work with individuals and families across Florida who want more than just investment tips—they want a partner in building a meaningful financial life.

We offer one-on-one planning, clear communication, and a strategy built around your life—not a generic model portfolio.

A Florida Example: Building Wealth from the Ground Up

Let me share a quick example.

A couple in Sarasota came to me just two years ago. They were both in their early 30s, earning solid incomes but had little saved. They felt overwhelmed—student loans, a new baby, and zero investment experience.

Together, we built a plan:

• We created a budget with automatic savings.
• We established a 529 college plan for their daughter.
• We maxed out their Roth IRAs and started a joint brokerage account.
• They began contributing small amounts to a diversified crypto fund we manage.

Today, they’re not only confident in their financial direction—they’ve become passionate about their money. They feel in control. And it all started with a single conversation.

Final Thoughts: The Best Time to Start Is Now

If you’re reading this and feeling like you’re behind—don’t be discouraged. Everyone starts somewhere. What matters is that you begin.

Wealth management isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional.

If you’re in Florida and looking for a trusted advisor to walk beside you on your financial journey, I invite you to learn more about me through my bio, or reach out directly via Manna Wealth Management.