Next Phase Financial Your Financial Partner for Life and Beyond
Helping individuals and families coordinate investments, retirement income, taxes,
and planning for every phase of life.

Helping individuals and families coordinate investments, retirement income, taxes,
and planning for every phase of life.

Personalized Guidance for Every Phase of Your Financial Life
At Next Phase Financial, we believe financial planning starts with understanding what matters most to YOU.
Whether you're building your financial future, preparing for retirement, or navigating a major life change, we take the time to understand your goals, concerns, and priorities.
Our commitment is to help you see how your investments, income, taxes, and financial decisions work together. We provide thoughtful, personalized guidance so you can understand your options and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Because your financial plan should be as individual as you are.
Planning First. Relationships Built on Trust.
Your financial life is made up of many moving pieces — investments, taxes, retirement income, family priorities, and life's unexpected changes. Each decision can affect the others.
At Next Phase Financial, we take a holistic approach to financial planning, helping you put the pieces of your financial puzzle together so you can see the whole picture and make informed decisions.
Whether you're building wealth, preparing for retirement, or looking for strategies to create dependable lifetime income, we provide personalized financial guidance, investment management, and retirement income solutions tailored to your goals.
Our relationship begins with a conversation.
Your complimentary introductory appointment is an opportunity to discuss what's important to YOU, explore your options, and discover how we may be able to help.
Retirement Planning:
Retirement is about more than saving money. We help coordinate Social Security, tax-efficient withdrawal strategies, investments, and retirement income solutions, including options for dependable lifetime income.
Investment Management:
Your investments should reflect your goals, not just the market. We develop and manage diversified investment portfolios tailored to your risk tolerance, time horizon, income needs, and long-term financial objectives.
Financial Planning:
See how the pieces of your financial puzzle fit together. Our holistic approach connects investments, taxes, retirement goals, and life decisions into a coordinated financial strategy. Fee-for-service planning is also available.
Wealth Transitions:
Life changes often bring important financial decisions. Whether you're changing careers, receiving an inheritance, or adjusting after the loss of a spouse, we help you navigate the financial and tax implications.
Millennial Planning:
Build a strong financial foundation while enjoying life today. We provide guidance on budgeting, managing debt, saving, investing, and making the most of workplace retirement plans.
Why Next Phase Financial?
✅ Fiduciary Commitment – Your best interest always comes first
✅ Independent Advice – No hidden agendas, no proprietary products
✅ Relationship-Centered – We take time to understand you and your story
✅ Transparent Fees – Clear, upfront, and aligned with your success.
Stay informed with financial trends
Feel free to reach out with any questions or to arrange a meeting. Together, we can discover the best path to your financial freedom as you enter this next phase. Don't hesitate to schedule your complimentary strategy session with the Next Phase Financial.
8411 Pyott Road, Lake in the Hills, Illinois 60156, United States
Open today | 10:00 am – 04:00 pm |
Copyright © 2025 Next Phase Financial - All Rights Reserved.
Investment advisory services offered through Brookstone Capital Management, LLC (BCM), a registered investment advisor. BCM and Next Phase Financial LLC/Carla Merlak are independent of each other. Insurance products and services are not offered through BCM but are offered and sold through individually licensed and appointed agents. The content of this website is provided for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation or recommendation of any investment strategy or intended to provide tax or legal advice. Investments and/or investment strategies involve risk including the possible loss of principal. There is no assurance that any investment strategy will achieve its objectives.
Registered Investment Advisors and Investment Advisor Representative act as fiduciaries for all of our investment management clients. We have an obligation to act in the best interests of our clients and to make full disclosure of any conflicts of interests. Please refer to our firm brochure, the ADV 2A item 4, for additional information.
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