What if the greatest risk isn't running out of money-but running out of life before you use it?
Most people approach money backwards. They obsess over the mechanics-the budgets, the investment strategies, the ever-present desire to get more. They don't stop to consider that money is only a tool.
Even More Than Money shares 20 transformative stories told by financial advisors of real people that they have helped. Within these thought-provoking, real-life examples, one thing becomes clear: money isn't just for tomorrow's security, it's for today's purpose. From a corporate executive who traded her corner office for a ticket booth at Wrigley Field, to a couple who spent two decades building their wilderness dream, to a widow who learned that true wealth comes from letting go, these stories reveal what happens when we align our resources with what matters most.
Through five powerful frameworks: Living, Changing, Dreaming, Giving, and Enduring, the stories from the financial advisors in this book guide you beyond traditional planning into a richer understanding of money's true purpose.
You'll discover:
Why the most successful savers often struggle most with spendingHow to give yourself permission to use what you've earnedThe art of balancing security with the courage to pursue bold dreamsWhy waiting until "someday" may mean never living at all
This isn't another book about maximizing returns. It's about maximizing your life.
Whether you're approaching retirement, navigating a major transition, or simply questioning whether you're truly living the life you've worked so hard to build, these stories will challenge your assumptions about wealth, security, and what it means to live well.
Because the goal isn't just having enough. It's knowing what enough is for. Your guide to viewing money differently and achieving your financial goals as well as your life's goals.
Justin Castelli, RLP®, CFP® is a financial advisor, guide, creator, and founder of Santiago, a firm rooted in the belief that money is a tool for living an authentic, purpose-driven life. Through his AlignedLife framework, Justin guides individuals to align their finances with their spirit, mind, and body-helping them remember who they are and why they're here. A devoted husband and father, he sees his work not just as planning, but also as a sacred invitation to live with intention, clarity, and deep fulfillment.
Shanna Due is a Certified College Financial Consultant (CCFC), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, and Accredited Financial Counselor®. She is the founder of Due Financial, the editor of More Than Money, and an advisor for The Braun Financial Literacy Program at the Boehly Center, Mason School of Business, College of William & Mary. Shanna guides parents and students through the complex financial aid landscape so families can make smart, informed decisions without sacrificing retirement plans or limiting a student's future with unnecessary debt. She brings clarity, confidence, and strategy to one of the biggest financial decisions a family will make.
Taylor Schulte, CFP® is the founder of Define Financial, a fee-only financial planning firm dedicated to helping people over age 50 lower taxes, invest smarter, and retire with confidence. He's also the co-founder of the Advisors Growing as a Community (The AGC) and host of the Stay Wealthy Retirement Show, a Forbes top ten podcast. Schulte was named the #2 top independent financial advisor by Investopedia in 2022. His contributions are regularly featured in Kiplinger, Business Insider, and CNN.
Together they are the authors of Even More Than Money.
"Praise for More Than Money
Forget the textbooks, this is what happens in the real world. Life is messy and unpredictable-this book tells stories of how to deal with it." -Morgan Housel, author of The Psychology of Money
"Justin Castelli and Taylor Schulte have used their superpowers to assemble an ins