Jim Blankenship is the founder and principal of Blankenship Financial Planning, Ltd., a financial planning firm providing hourly, as-needed financial planning and advice. A financial services professional for over 20 years, Jim is a CFP professional and has earned the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation. Jim is also a NAPFA-registered financial advisor, which designates him as a Fee-Only Financial Advisor.

Prior to establishing his independent firm, Jim operated a successful tax preparation service; he also managed information technology operations for a major financial services corporation. Jim is a member of the Garrett Planning Network, a nationwide network of fee-only advisors, founded by nationally-known Sheryl Garrett -- recently named one of the top 25 most influential people in Financial Planning for the third year in a row.

I got into this business because I was looking for a financial advisor to provide me with assistance. I found that there were no objective financial advisors in Central Illinois who were willing to work with someone of modest means. Always a do-it-yourselfer, I began working to expand my knowledge so that I could manage my own finances. As my quest for knowledge evolved, I discovered that I was not alone in my search for objective financial advice -- many others want and need the same kind of objectivity and knowledge that I was developing -- so Blankenship Financial Planning was launched.

Jim believes that professional, unbiased financial advice is something that all Americans need, at least periodically, to build the brightest financial futures. Holding to this philosophy, Jim is proud to offer high quality, professional financial advice to people from all walks of life.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.