Kevin Apolinar, Christian, husband, father
Hey there! I'm Kevin, a dedicated follower of Christ. The Holy Spirit guided me to salvation during my time in Juneau, AK. I'm happily married to my wife, Melissa, and together we're raising our wonderful children, Frank and Max. We're proud owners of a small financial planning firm that specializes in serving fellow Christians in the Southern California area. Welcome to our blog posts!
Starting With My Why
2018, after serving eight years in the U.S. Army, including three overseas deployments, I transitioned out of active duty. I thought I was prepared for civilian life. Still, shortly after, my wife, Melissa, and I discovered she was pregnant with our first child, Frank. That moment was a reality check—I realized I wasn't in a position to support my growing family while being a full-time college student. This personal journey is just one of the many shared experiences in this podcast, making you feel connected and understood.
Another financial oversight hit me hard: my retirement savings. After eight years in the military, I had only $1,800 in my Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), far from my imagined secure future. It was clear that my financial "house" was fragile, and the arrival of our first child magnified that vulnerability.
I turned to Dave Ramsey and his radio show during this financial uncertainty. I had known about Dave and his 7 Baby Steps for a while, but it wasn't until this personal crisis that I truly leaned on his teachings. Since 2018, my wife and I have followed Dave's plan but adjusted it to better fit our situation. Despite the challenges, these principles have provided us with a framework to rebuild our financial stability.
Fast-forward, we were back in full-time military service with the Alaska Army National Guard. It was during the pandemic that I took my interest in finance deeper. I signed up for the Financial Coach Master Training with the Ramsey team. I devoured the material and was excited to add my learned skills to my Alaska Army National Guard service. This was my introduction to personal finance.
Although I have yet to understand the financial industry landscape truly, I knew this was another career (personal finance) I could get behind and follow. Fast-forward to another transition in my life: We finally decided to leave full-time military service and transition into the traditional model of being in the National Guard.
During this transition, I was immersed in the full breadth of the financial industry. A dear friend and brother in Christ of mine, Willy Shelton, a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Alaska, introduced me to his firm, which is how I became a financial advisor.
During my time with Edward Jones, I enjoyed the meeting aspect of financial planning. I found myself at my best when engaging with clients and discussing their financial goals and how I could serve them. However, I found out that something was missing in the advice that I was giving to clients. Almost everyone that I met lacks this one thing that is causing them so many financial worries, stress, and anxiety. That one thing is Jesus.
This leads us to today. We've gone through another transition. We're proud stewards of a financial planning firm in Southern California. My wife and I started the firm Kevin and Melissa LLC, which does business as Behavior Shift. OUR FIRM SPECIALIZES IN CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT, HELPING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES OPTIMIZE SPENDING, SAVINGS, AND WEALTH-BUILDING STRATEGIES. More on our business will be discussed in the next section.
To answer the first topic, I want to share our why. Many Christians, including me, struggle with finances. By applying the word of God, creating a community that normalizes financial topics, and providing comprehensive financial planning, we aim to serve other Christians.
Our family, and especially me, are recipients of the gift that Jesus paid for, which we can find in Ephesians 2: 4-8. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace, you have been saved— and raised us with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. I often find myself guilty and feel that I don't deserve anything we have. Yet, God has provided for us over and over. And so, with my renewed and continuous walk with Christ, I want to be an instrument of my King, Jesus!
How Can I make An Impact?
Moving on to the next topic, how do we make an impact? 1 Peter 4:10: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. A new verse that I recently learned in a men's discipleship ministry that I attend with our church is what I lean on to answer this question. Sidebar, if you're interested in the ministry I'm talking a part of, let me know, and I will send you more details.
Through our business, we want to positively impact the lives of our clients. Financial planning is such a complex topic, and most people may not be used to discussing it. We place our faith in how we offer financial advice, curate financial plans, and conduct client meetings.
I will use proven strategies, lessons from renowned Christians, and, most importantly, the guidance of the Holy Spirit to impact our clients' lives. We use technology such as AI, planning software, and others to enhance how we conduct business. We aim to use these technologies wisely and transparently. For example, I use chat GPT, Grammarly, or Perplexity for marketing services and educational endeavors. I share this to create a foundation of trust. More on technology and AI will be discussed in a different episode.
What’s in it for you?
The last question I want to address is directed at the reader. What's in it for you? Well, first and foremost, I want to share the good news. The good news is that Jesus has died for our sins, resurrected, defeated death, and now lives in His kingdom. One day, he will return to judge the living and the dead.
My goal with this blog is to become a reliable resource, offering actionable insights into your financial and spiritual well-being. By covering topics such as theology, financial planning, and Christian parenting. By creating a holistic approach that blends both spiritual and practical life guidance. I will strive to be a trusted voice, someone you can turn to for wisdom and support, not just in finances but in all areas of life. I want my readers to leave with tools to apply in their personal and financial lives—whether learning about responsible money management or deepening their faith walk. We want the platform to become a sanctuary of encouragement and knowledge that listeners rely on for steady, meaningful content.
I want potential clients to understand how I think and solve problems through these blog posts. Unlike a website or newsletter, which can feel impersonal, the spoken word conveys tone, intention, and personality. When potential clients hear me articulate my thoughts on complex issues—finance or faith—they understand how I approach challenges and care for their well-being. This builds trust and fosters a deeper connection with you, my audience. Over time, this personal exposure can make listeners feel more comfortable and confident about contacting me for financial planning services, as they've already heard your expertise and values in action.
My journey—whether transitioning from the military, navigating fatherhood, or rebuilding your financial life—is rich with lessons. By sharing these stories, I can connect with you more humanly. My experiences and financial knowledge create a unique voice that blends personal and professional wisdom, positioning me to be a financial planner and a mentor and guide for those navigating similar life stages.
Come along on a journey as we explore the intersection of faith and finance. If this topic resonates with you, don't hesitate to get in touch. Whether you're eager to learn more or have burning financial questions, we're here for you. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. Stay tuned for the next one!
*The following content has been prepared using advanced artificial intelligence tools, such as (but not limited to) FirefliesAI, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Grammarly. These resources have facilitated the drafting, grammatical refinement, and fact-checking processes. While AI generated and organized the content, Kevin Apolinar meticulously reviewed and edited all concepts, interpretations, and final decisions to ensure accuracy, relevance, and compliance with professional standards.
