About Carl Woolston, CFP®, ChFC®
Founder & Principal Advisor – Thrive Retirement Planning
Building a Life of Purpose, Gratitude, and Stewardship
I’ve always believed that money is more than numbers — it’s a reflection of the stories, sacrifices, and values that built it.
That belief began long before I became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. It started with my mother’s story.
She was born in 1947 in Berlin, Germany, in the aftermath of World War II — just a day after Christmas, in a freezing apartment with little heat. My grandmother could not feed her because she was so malnourished, and the inside walls of their home were crusted with frost. My mother’s first year of life was sustained from a mush created from ground-up pigeon feed.
My grandmother and mother immigrated to the United States when my mom was 10 years old. I remember sitting across from my grandmother, who would look me in the eyes at almost every family dinner and say, “We have so much.”
That phrase shaped my entire outlook. It reminded me that abundance isn’t about what we have — it’s about how we use and protect what we’ve been given.
This background has inspired me to help clients protect what they’ve worked so hard to build and to plan intentionally for the future. It continues to guide the way we approach financial planning at Thrive — always with gratitude, stewardship, and purpose at the center.
The Philosophy: Give Every Asset a Job
Every dollar has a purpose. Every asset has a role. That’s the foundation of our philosophy at Thrive.
Through my framework, Give Every Asset a Job, we help clients assign their resources across seven key priorities — Protection, Income, Fun, Growth, Tax Strategy, Health Care, and Legacy — ensuring that every part of their financial life is both protected and productive.
This philosophy isn’t about having the most money — it’s about getting the most usefulness from the money you already have. We call that the Age of Utility — a stage of life where financial success is measured by what your money enables you to do, not just what it earns on paper.
Credentials & Affiliations
CFP® – CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional
The CFP® designation requires extensive education, 6,000+ hours of client experience, and a rigorous board exam. It’s recognized as the gold standard for fiduciary financial planning.
ChFC® – Chartered Financial Consultant
The ChFC® involves seven advanced college-level courses covering retirement, tax, insurance, and estate planning, emphasizing practical, real-world application.
Investment Advisor Representative (Series 65 Licensed)
Holding a Series 65 license allows me to provide fiduciary investment advice and ongoing portfolio management aligned with each client’s goals.
NSSA® – National Social Security Advisor® Certificate Holder
The NSSA® certification reflects specialized training in Social Security rules and claiming strategies to help clients optimize lifetime income.
Insurance Licensed
As an insurance-licensed advisor, I help clients evaluate and integrate protection strategies like life, income, and long-term care coverage into their plan.
Beyond the Numbers
When I’m not helping clients plan their financial future, you’ll usually find me spending time with my wife, Christy, our children, and grandchildren. Family is the heartbeat of everything we do — both at home and at Thrive.
I love the outdoors — hiking Utah’s mountains, exploring new trails, and fly fishing quiet rivers where the world slows down enough to think and reflect. I’ve always believed adventure is one of the best teachers, and some of life’s clearest lessons show up when you’re out in nature.
I also love traveling with Christy, discovering new places, and finding inspiration in the people and stories we meet along the way. Whether I’m leading a Coach’s Corner discussion with my family, preparing for a community class, or brainstorming new ways to help others connect their money with their meaning, my purpose remains the same:
To help people use their resources — financial and otherwise — to live with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Connect with Carl Woolston, CFP®, ChFC®
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