Fee-Only Financial Planner in
Lake Oswego & Portland

Cascara Financial Planning is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning practice based in Lake Oswego, Oregon. I'm Chris Ramsby, the founder and the only planner here, so when you work with Cascara, you work with me. I meet with clients in person in the Lake Oswego and Portland area, or virtually if that's easier.

Schedule a free 30-minute intro call

Who I work with in the Portland area

I built Cascara for professionals in their 30s and 40s, often in tech, healthcare, or education, and for their families. Many are earning more than they expected to at this stage and are juggling several big decisions at once: stock options or RSUs, a growing family, a home purchase, or simply figuring out whether they're on track.

You don't need a minimum net worth or account size to work with me. What matters more is that you want a clear plan and someone to help you keep it current as life changes.

Oregon-specific planning questions I help with

Living and working in Oregon shapes a lot of financial decisions. Here are a few that come up often.

  • Oregon income tax

    • Oregon has one of the highest top state income tax rates in the country and no sales tax, so decisions about income carry extra weight here. That affects choices like Roth versus traditional retirement contributions, when to exercise or sell employer stock, and how to plan around bonuses or a large income year.

  • Portland-area local taxes

    • Depending on where you live and work, you may also owe regional income taxes, such as Metro's Supportive Housing Services tax or Multnomah County's Preschool for All tax. They're easy to overlook when estimating withholding or planning a high-income year.

  • Oregon College Savings Plan

    • Oregon offers a state income tax credit for contributions to the Oregon College Savings Plan, with the amount based on your income. I help families decide how much to set aside for education and how that fits alongside retirement and other goals.

  • Oregon PERS

    • If you work in public education, healthcare, or government, your Oregon PERS benefits, including your Individual Account Program (IAP), may be one of your largest assets. I help you understand your options and how they fit into your broader retirement plan.

  • Stock options and employee benefits

    • Many Portland-area employers offer stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs), and other benefits. I review your benefits with you so you can make informed decisions about enrolling, holding, and selling, with taxes and concentration risk in mind.

    • I'm not a CPA. For tax preparation and specific tax strategies, I recommend working with a qualified tax professional, and I'm happy to coordinate with yours.

How we can meet

We can meet in person in the Lake Oswego area or virtually by video. I work with clients throughout the Portland metro area, including Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tigard, Tualatin, Wilsonville, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Oregon City, Milwaukie, Happy Valley, and Portland, and virtually with clients elsewhere in Oregon.

Services

  • Ongoing Financial Planning

    • A long-term planning relationship. We build your plan together, then I monitor it and update it as your life and goals change.

    • Explore Ongoing Planning

  • Project-Based Planning

  • Wealth Management

    • Investment management as part of a broader planning relationship. For clients with $500,000 or more under management, financial planning is included at no additional fee.

    • Explore Wealth Management

How I'm paid

Cascara is fee-only: the only compensation I receive comes directly from my clients. I don't earn commissions, and I'm never paid for selling investment products. What you pay depends on the service you choose, and we agree on your fee in writing before any work begins. Full details are on the Fees page and in my Form ADV Part 2A.

Frequently asked questions

  • Do you meet in person in Lake Oswego?

    • Yes. I meet with clients in person in the Lake Oswego and Portland area, and by video for anyone who prefers it.

  • Do I need a minimum net worth to work with you?

    • No. Cascara has no minimum account size or net worth requirement. Many clients come to me simply wanting to know whether they're doing the right things.

  • What does "fee-only" mean?

    • A fee-only planner is paid only by clients, not through commissions or product sales. Cascara's only compensation comes from the fees clients pay for planning and investment management. Fee-only doesn't remove every possible conflict of interest, and any that exist are described in my Form ADV.

  • Are you a fiduciary?

    • Yes. As a fiduciary, I'm required to act in your best interest when I give you advice.

  • Do you work with clients outside the Portland area?

    • Yes, I work virtually with clients elsewhere in Oregon. If you live in another state, please ask. Whether I can work with you depends on that state's registration rules.

  • What happens on the intro call?

    • It's a free, 30-minute conversation with no obligation. We'll talk about what's on your mind, I'll explain how I work, and together we'll decide whether Cascara is a good fit.