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®
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...
How to Get Out of Student Loan Debt ASAP
Paying off student loans doesn’t need to take decades. You can accelerate repayment and regain financial freedom with focused strategies and a solid...
Zero-Interest Home Improvement Loans: How to Get One and Alternatives to Consider
Many low- and moderate-income, senior, veteran, or rural residential homeowners with equity who need essential...
Why Do People Buy Gold? 10 Solid Reasons to Invest
Gold has long been viewed as a stable investment. Many people invest in gold to...