Hi! I’m Bryan Gum.
Financial Life Planner. Founder. Lover of Life.
I help people use money as a tool to build a life they love — so success doesn’t quietly cost them the things that matter most.
TL;DR
From 2014-2025, I served clients at a $1B+ financial planning firm in Kansas City, where I became the youngest Partner in the firm’s history at age 27.
Along the way, a question kept resurfacing:
“What kind of life are you being called to build— for yourself and for others?”
That question is what eventually led me to build Lighthouse Planning—and to create Well Spent.
What I’m About
I believe a meaningful life is built with intention across money, time, energy, and attention. And I think “winning” financially without feeling grounded, present, or alive is a kind of loss.
My work is shaped by a few values I try to live by:
Kindness — I lead with empathy because real planning starts with care.
Truth — Simple, honest guidance over hype.
Tenacity — Steady follow-through when things get complex.
Sustainability — Wealth should be sustainable for your life and the world around you.
Experience — People deserve to feel known and supported, not processed.
The Story Behind the Work
Through our own journey with our life planner, it changed how I saw this profession. I realized the most powerful advice doesn’t start with your money or goals — it starts with listening to your inner voice and getting clear on your ideal life.
That shift created the space for a clear call: it was time to build something of my own.
When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me with Jillian and our dog, Lando—staying active, chasing creative projects, or tinkering with something I care too much about. I’m drawn to the overlap of performance and meaning: athletes, creators, founders—people doing big things who don’t want to lose themselves in the process.
What I Do Now
If you’re interested in working with me in a professional capacity, that happens through Lighthouse Planning—my independent, fee-only financial life planning firm.
At Lighthouse, the work blends:
Life Planning (EVOKE®-based clarity + alignment)
Practical planning (cash flow, big decisions, taxes, risk, legacy)
Evidence-based investing (long-term, systematic, no hype)
Well Spent is my biweekly newsletter for people who want to spend their money, time, energy, and attention on what matters most.
It’s part encouragement, part strategy, part “pause and get honest with yourself.”
A simple next step
If you’re here because:
you’ve followed my work for a while,
you’re a past connection and want to stay in touch, or
you’re curious about working together…
Go to Lighthouse Planning or join Well Spent.