A specialist’s mind for retirement and tax strategy. A nurse’s heart for advocacy.
Meet Josh Gallogly, CFP®, EA: The advice-only specialist for DIY retirees.
My path to becoming a financial planner was not traditional, but it was intentional.
Since 2002, I’ve had a love-hate relationship with the financial services industry. I love helping people gain confidence in how they handle money. But I hate how some in the industry use their training for their own benefit rather than their clients’ long-term financial well-being. After all, why else would large financial enterprises spend so much on lobbying to avoid the fiduciary standard from being applied to them?
From my first internship at a big Wall Street firm to my time spent in the corporate office of a major insurance and financial services company, I saw firsthand how the industry too often operates with business models that put profit ahead of clients’ best interests.
From nursing to financial planning: An advocacy mindset
After several years of unfulfilling work in financial services, I wanted a career where I could truly help people. In 2009, I became a Registered Nurse (RN), caring for patients during some of their most stressful and vulnerable moments. That role centered on being a patient advocate—stepping in when people didn’t know what they didn’t know, and using my training to intervene before problems escalated.
That experience shaped my values and taught me the importance of putting people’s long-term well-being first. Today, I bring that same advocacy mindset to financial planning.
As a fiduciary, I act as a financial advocate for clients, providing transparent, objective advice during some of life’s most important transitions. Those values continue to guide the way I help clients make confident decisions and avoid costly mistakes with their money.
The origin of Milestones Financial
While working as a nurse, I often became the go-to person for colleagues with personal finance questions, especially those approaching retirement. Many worried about making the wrong choice or being steered toward advice motivated by commissions or ongoing fees instead of their best interests.
After hearing the same concerns again and again, I knew there had to be a better way—and that a flat-fee and hourly financial planning model could meet that need.
In 2021, I registered Milestones Financial, an independent, fee-only investment advisory firm, built on fiduciary principles.
With no ties to any bank, brokerage, or insurance company, I provide advice without hidden agendas. It’s not about selling people to make a fast dollar or gathering their assets to manage. It’s about offering transparent solutions for real financial concerns.
Why a nurse’s mindset matters in personal finance
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How did the nurse role shape your financial planning approach?
The role of a Registered Nurse (RN) centered on patient advocacy, stepping in when people were most vulnerable and helping prevent problems before they escalated. Today, I bring that same mindset to financial planning, helping clients make confident decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
What’s your professional background?
My background includes experience at a large Wall Street firm and corporate office at a major insurance and financial services company, giving me insight into traditional industry models. Prior to starting Milestones Financial, I worked as a Registered Nurse (RN), a role that shaped my approach to advocacy and client care.
What’s the origin of Milestones Financial?
Milestones Financial was registered in 2021 as an independent, fee-only investment advisory firm built on fiduciary principles. It was created in response to common concerns about conflicts of interest in traditional financial services, particularly among individuals approaching retirement.
Education and credentials
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology—majoring in Family Financial Management—and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Ohio State University. I’m a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and an enrolled agent (EA) of the IRS, which EAs are the only federally licensed tax practitioners who specialize in taxation.
Beyond the office
I live in Grandview Heights, Ohio with my wife, Meridith, and our daughter, Claire. We enjoy planning meals together as a family and exploring the world with Claire. In my free time, I enjoy working on home improvement projects, listening to music, and being active outdoors.