I’m Jeff Barnett
Wealth Advisor, MCR, CFP®
Co-piloting the launch of solutions for your success.
Planning with your goals in mind
We work hard to understand who you are and what you want to accomplish, both personally and professionally, so we can best support you and your family in achieving your goals.
We're more than just investments
Together, we’ll implement a customized plan for all areas of your financial life: Investments, taxes, estate planning, insurance, charitable giving, and more.
Let’s brainstorm new strategies to help you achieve your goals.
I joined Merriman with a different perspective than most, after working in hospitals and universities to find new treatments for challenges in healthcare and earning my graduate degree in clinical research. In academic healthcare, I focused on cancer, autoimmune, and mental health research to support families throughout some of the most difficult stages of their lives. I also saw the financial impact of these burdens and wanted to do more to help, even after treatment took its course.
As a financial advisor, I have the opportunity to leverage my academic background to explore the best solutions for your goals. I translate my scientific curiosity to apply a technical lens to your finances. The best part is getting to support you throughout life and seeing the strategies we implement together in action. I want to look beyond just the dollars and cents side to apply a research-driven approach to improving all areas of your financial life.
Are you saving enough to accomplish your goals and be prepared for life’s curveballs?
Are you adequately protected with tools like health, life, disability, and liability insurance, as well as a thoughtful estate plan?
Are you optimizing saving and investing strategies like with Mega Backdoor Roth 401(k)/IRAs, RSUs, Stock Options, ESPPs, and HSAs?
How can we optimize your cash flow from different income sources?
Are you minimizing taxes throughout your lifetime?
Implement Solutions
I’ll help you define your goals, identify strategies, and take next steps for achieving financial success.
Optimize Assets
Together, we’ll streamline your finances by consolidating accounts and minimizing taxes and expenses.
Navigate Complexity
We’ll review things like your RSUs, Options, Deferred Comp, Mega Backdoor Roth 401(k), and Insurance to create a plan.
Manage Life
We’ll build a long-term relationship with trust as the foundation, so you can feel confident delegating to your team.
About Me
My curiosity for the technical side of finance led my transition from healthcare research to financial planning mid-career. Before joining Merriman in 2018 to pursue my passion for finance, I worked on clinical trials researching new treatments at Swedish Medical Center and the Ohio State University Medical Center. I also earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master of Applied Clinical and Preclinical Research at the Ohio State University.
Exploring all the retirement options at Ohio State, like the state pensions, retirement plans, and Social Security Windfall Elimination during grad school started my deep dive into personal finance. I enjoy leveraging my experience in clinical trials and analysis to implement the academic side of investing. I emphasize creating tailored solutions to financial planning for clients and evaluating the best potential strategies, and I enjoy finding unique solutions to streamline our clients’ financial lives. While I use my technical skill set every day, it’s my ability to enrich and support families that’s the most fulfilling part of my role as an advisor.
I moved to Seattle from Columbus, Ohio, and the rest of my family lives on the east coast. I still enjoy flying back out to visit them, but Seattle has been a wonderful new home. I mix Pacific Northwest activities like hiking and rock climbing with a love of tech. PC building, gaming, music, books, and my home theatre/audio setup keep me busy during my downtime. I’m always excited to explore a new hobby!
What is wealth management?
Wealth management is a comprehensive approach to financial planning. It covers all areas of your financial life, making wise use of your assets to help you in achieving your goals and living life to the fullest. Do you want to spend more time doing the things you love and worry less about your finances?
Then wealth management is for you!
Wealth Enhancement - make your assets work for you
- Minimizing taxes – now vs future?
- Managing appropriate cash reserves
- Should you pay off your mortgage early?
- How can you get the most out of Social Security?
- Evaluate your options for college savings
Wealth Preservation - strategies to help reduce risk
- Diversification
- Asset allocation and rebalancing
- Trend following
- Stock option planning
- What to do with concentrated stock positions?
Wealth Protection - proper coverage is key
- Disability or Long-Term-Care insurance planning
- Is umbrella insurance right for you?
- What type of life insurance makes the most sense?
- What level of homeowner’s coverage is appropriate?
- Is your rental property adequately protected?
Wealth Transfer - leaving a lasting legacy for your heirs
- How can you leave the most behind to your heirs without sacrificing too much now?
- Are your assets correctly titled so they’ll pass on in the way you intend?
- Are your healthcare directives and letters of instruction in place?
- Does a trust make sense for you? Which kind?
Charitable Giving - make the most of your contributions
- What charities are important to you?
- How can you make the most of your gifts to charity?
- Is a charitable trust right for you?
Plan with intention,
not by default.
Online Blog Resources
Navigating the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
An interview with a high school teacher about her experience helping students navigate the federal student loan system from start to finish and find out what advice she has for parents and students today.
How Do Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) Impact Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)?
ISOs can be a tremendous benefit to creating wealth, but they are often misunderstood and can pack a large surprise if not appropriately planned for.
How-To Guide for Applying for a WA Cares Exemption
A step-by-step guide to applying for the Washington State Cares Exemption.
