Carl Holubowich, CFP®

Principal

Getting to Know Carl

 

Carl and his familyAs a principal of Armstrong, Fleming & Moore, Inc., Carl provides individuals and couples with personalized and comprehensive financial planning services, including guidance on investment, retirement, tax, insurance and estate planning issues, as well as other wealth management needs.

Carl was born in Toronto, Canada, and grew up in West Caldwell, New Jersey. After growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey, he wanted to live in a city environment, so he attended George Washington University, which is located just a few blocks from our office in the District of Columbia. Looking for a full-time summer job so he could stay in the area, he started as an intern with AFM in June 2002. After graduating, Carl accepted a full-time job in AFM’s Operations department in May 2003. He eventually became a portfolio analyst, working primarily with clients in that capacity. In March 2014, AFM welcomed Carl as a principal of the firm and he began working with clients of his own.

One of the reasons Carl entered into the financial planning business was he saw firsthand the devastating effects bad financial decisions can have on a family. His father struggled to manage the proceeds from the sale of the business he worked hard to build for many years, and also on what to do with his free time now that he was no longer going to work every day. In order to better serve clients and help them avoid some of the mistakes his father made, Carl obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certificate in January 2011.

In addition to his work with clients, Carl has also been quoted in several publications, including Forbes, CBS News, CNN Money, USA Today and Reuters.

Carl lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife, Emily, and his two daughters, Jacqueline and Caroline. In his free time, Carl likes to work out, scatter golf balls into the woods at his local golf course, relax by the pool, and eat at the many restaurants in the DC area. He is a passionate fan of the New York Jets and Notre Dame football teams, as well as the New Jersey Devils hockey team.

Place Carl would most like to visit: Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Favorite food/restaurant:  Sushi from Momo Sushi & Cafe in Old Town Alexandria, it’s easy to make a pit stop on the way home from work
Hidden talent: Can do a Donald Duck impression
What motivates Carl: Helping others avoid financial mistakes and get on the right track
Something on Carl’s bucket list: Watch the New York Jets win the Super bowl

Certifications & Education

 

Bachelor of business administration, The George Washington University

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certificant

FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities registrations held through Commonwealth Financial Network®

Various state insurance licenses

Accomplishments, Awards & Activities

 

Board member of the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area

Five Star Award Winner – 2020

2020 Five Star Wealth Manager Award, created by Five Star Professional. Presented in September 2020 based on data gathered within 12 months preceding the issue date. 2535 advisors were considered, 115 advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

Forbes’ Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisors list for 2019

2019 Forbes Best In State Wealth Advisors, created by SHOOK Research. Presented in Feb 2019 based on data gathered from June 2017 to June 2018.  30,000 Advisors were considered, 3500 Advisors were recognized. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. Click here for more award information.

More From

Carl Holubowich, CFP®

Bounds Bounce Back

February 21, 2024Carl Holubowich

As a decade of low interest rates came to a rapid end, bonds did not act like themselves in 2022,…

40th Anniversary Q&As with Carl Holubowich and Chris Rivers

October 20, 2023Carl Holubowich

As part of our firm's 40th anniversary celebration, we're showcasing the stories of our principals as part of a video…

Cash is No Longer Trash: 7 Options for Parking Your Cash

July 24, 2023Carl Holubowich

A little over a year ago, interest rates were about as low as they could go. Now, it’s a different…

Why to Keep Saving for Retirement

June 28, 2023Carl Holubowich

Most of us work hard for several decades with the goal of someday being able to retire comfortably. But while…

10 Things to Do With Your Tax Refund

April 26, 2023Carl Holubowich

Hurray, you finished filing your taxes and are getting a tax refund! If you don’t need the money for essentials…

Retirement Savings Changes

April 5, 2023Carl Holubowich

Americans have been warned for years of an impending retirement crisis. In 2019, Boston College estimated there was a $7.1…

Why Retiring in 2022 Could be a Challenge and What to do About it

November 16, 2022Carl Holubowich

It’s a scary time for anyone who recently retired and for those about to. Stocks (as measured by the S&P…

How Insurance Fits in Your Financial Plan

September 7, 2022Carl Holubowich

One of the first steps in creating your financial plan is to identify your goals, their time horizons, and your…

Protect yourself: 10 ways to prevent identity theft

July 15, 2022Carl Holubowich

Identity theft is a growing problem in the U.S., and pandemic relief made it worse as identity thieves targeted relief…

Six Resolutions to Improve Your Finances in 2022

February 14, 2022Carl Holubowich

At the beginning of the year people make resolutions involving health, work, or family, but getting your financial house in…

Impact of Children on Your Financial Path

April 22, 2021Carl Holubowich

When thinking about your future, there are many factors and life choices you will have to plan and save for—whether…

Should I Wait to Start My Social Security Benefits?

April 1, 2021Carl Holubowich

Deciding when to begin taking your Social Security retirement benefits can be difficult because there are many factors to consider.…

Are You Better Off with a Roth?

February 11, 2021Carl Holubowich

While you might already be invested in an employer-sponsored plan like a 401(k), an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) allows you…

Is a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Right for You?

January 21, 2021Carl Holubowich

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is like a charitable investment account with the sole purpose of supporting organizations you care about.…

D.C. is a Financial Standout. Are You Making the Most of Your Career?

October 1, 2020Carl Holubowich

The politics of our hometown might get more headlines, but the economics of D.C. tell a story that’s just as…

Emergency Funds: Preparing for the Unexpected

January 1, 2020Carl Holubowich

Many people don’t understand the importance of establishing and maintaining an emergency fund until it’s too late. Are you financially…

The SECURE Act and its Potential Impact on Your Retirement

July 1, 2019Carl Holubowich

With the decline of traditional pensions, most of us are now responsible for saving money for our own retirement. In…

The Sneaky Way for High Earners to Add Money into a Roth IRA Tax-Free

April 1, 2019Carl Holubowich

When you are thinking about how to put your hard-earned dollars to work, it’s important to consider every option for…

Is Your Home a Good Investment?

January 1, 2019Carl Holubowich

Homes are wonderful and it is viewed as the most coveted part of the American dream.  Owning your own home…

TELL US ABOUT YOUR GOALS,
AND WE CAN START A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW TO REACH THEM.