About Crystal Rau, CFP®
Current Role
Founder, Beyond Balanced Financial Planning
Expertise
- Equity Compensation
- Oil & Gas Investments
- Education Planning
- Investment Planning
- Student Loan Planning
- Retirement
Achievements
- Best Financial Planner For Midland’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2022
Certifications & Degrees
- Certified Financial Planner™
- MBA from University of Texas El Paso, Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Texas A&M University (Corpus Christi)
Personal Finance Experience
Crystal started her career in personal finance working at a large investment management company where she provided advice to young and old investors just trying to do better for themselves. It motivated her to learn more and be better for her clients. She continued her education and training, earning the certified financial planner (CFP®) designation, as well as her chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC®) designation and accredited asset management specialist (AAMS®) designations.
As her knowledge and expertise grew, it inspired her to start Beyond Balanced Financial Planning, a fee-only registered investment advisory firm that focuses on young professionals and families who strive to be good stewards of the wealth, and to be better and do better for their families and their community.
Latest from Crystal Rau, CFP®
What Is Hyperinflation? How It Works and Why It’s So Dangerous
Imagine waking up to find that everything has doubled in price overnight. A $50 tank...
FAFSA Deadlines: 2025 Guide to Managing Federal, State, and School Due Dates
Seeking financial aid for college, grad school, or career school? It’s important to keep in...
FAFSA Independent Student: Real Loophole to Get More Financial Aid?
Being a FAFSA independent student comes with its perks, namely that independent students are often...
Can You Get a Passport If You Owe Back Taxes?
You can get a passport if you owe back taxes, depending on how much you owe. The IRS and State Department work together...
Who Does the IRS Audit Most? Millionaires and EITC Recipients
The IRS audits some taxpayers to ensure they pay what is deemed necessary. In the...
How to Get Zero-Interest Student Loans and Avoid Paying More for College
Getting a zero-interest student loan might sound like a fairytale or flat-out scam, but it’s...
How to Safely Store Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Palladium at Home
Few things will make your wealth feel as secure as storing physical precious metals at...
What Is Debt Relief, and How Does It Work?
Debt relief is a broad term that describes programs or services designed to help people manage, reduce, or eliminate debt. Different types of...
Should You Sell Your House to Pay Off Debt? How It Works and When It Makes Sense
Becoming a homeowner is usually a happy experience, but it can become bittersweet if you...
How to Complete Student Loan Recertification and Why It’s Important
Recertifying your student loans keeps your payments affordable under an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. By...