Michelle Vargas, Certified Financial Planner™, is the President of Waymaker Financial Planning, a Fee-Only planning and investment management firm in Fort Worth, Texas. She specializes in helping Christian women navigate major life transitions— including retirement, widowhood, and managing wealth for the first time. Her mission is to guide clients in making smart financial decisions so they can live with confidence, peace, and purpose.
After earning a degree in Finance from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1990, Michelle began her career with Harcourt Brace Publishing in Orlando, Florida. Her path into personal finance started with her own 401(k) enrollment, when she discovered how challenging it was to find clear answers and a personalized financial plan from investment firms. In 1994, driven by a desire to help others, she transitioned into a career as a licensed Financial Advisor. In 1998, she earned the Certified Financial Planner™ designation, a credential requiring rigorous education, training, and ethics.
Because she still remembers what it feels like to search for trustworthy guidance, Michelle brings patience, empathy, and education into every client relationship — believing that true financial advice goes beyond technical expertise to honor each client's story and priorities. In 2020, she launched Waymaker Financial Planning in Fort Worth, Texas, combining her years of experience with her passion for helping clients simplify financial decisions, strengthen stewardship, and align their money with their values. Along the way, her insights have been featured in CBS News, Yahoo Finance, and HerMoney.
She and her husband live in Fort Worth, and they have an amazing son, Andrew. He is a Young Steinway Artist and recently completed his graduate studies as a Nordan Young Artist at Texas Christian University. When her son was younger, she was very active in the homeschool community and served as a director, teacher, and support group leader.
In her spare time, she enjoys walking through the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens to get inspired to make her own garden more beautiful. Spring is her favorite time of year, and she loves exploring backroads filled with beautiful fields of Texas Bluebonnets. Occasionally, when her adventurous side kicks in, she enjoys white water rafting - with an experienced guide, of course!
What It's Like To Work With Us
We don't expect you to be perfect!
We strive to create an open, nonjudgmental space where you can share your concerns and questions. Managing your money is a huge responsibility, and we value the opportunity to take some of the responsibility off your shoulders and make your life easier.
We are committed to exceeding your expectations every day.
Our focus is always to support you in reaching your financial goals, but our greater hope is that you also experience more peace and freedom than you thought possible. Throughout our time together, we’ll proactively look for new opportunities and strategies to support your financial and retirement planning journey. Because you're investing time, money, and energy, we make it our priority to ensure you receive maximum value from our planning engagement.
A personal note about me.
At Waymaker Financial Planning, our starting point is always what is most important to you — your family, your values, your concerns, and your goals. I'd like to share a little of my own story so that you know the heart behind the work I do.
Faith and family are at the center of my life. My walk with Jesus shapes how I live and is the foundation on which I've built this firm. Like many families, we have faced challenges. In 2015, our son battled a rare and life-threatening illness that kept him in intensive care for more than 30 days. During that season, I learned about surrender, not giving in to fear, and I experienced God's faithfulness in profound ways. I discovered how important it is to make decisions with both courage and faith. That same patience and steadiness are what I offer clients today. It's also why I named this firm Waymaker Financial Planning — it is a daily reminder that God can make a way and that He sheds light along our paths.
As a CFP® professional, I view financial planning as more than just numbers. Over the years, I've mentored families, support groups, and homeschool communities, and I bring that same heart of mentorship into my client relationships. My goal is to walk alongside you, offering support so that we can make wise financial decisions with clarity and confidence.
We do our best work for clients who place their ultimate trust in God rather than their portfolios or bank accounts. Stewardship matters, and I will always assist you in faithfully managing the resources that have been entrusted to you.
That is a glimpse of my story; now I'd love to hear yours! To schedule a complimentary Intro Call, click here.