Light Financial Services is an independent, fee-only financial planning and investment management firm. Our goal is to provide clear and unbiased financial planning and investment management services to our clients.
As defined by the College for Financial Planning and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, fee-only financial advisers are compensated solely by the client. We believe the fee-only model of compensation reduces the potential for conflicts of interest between the adviser and the client because the adviser is not compensated by insurance companies, particular investments, and/or other financial companies.
A clear distinction should be made between brokers, who often refer to themselves as "fee-based" (receiving both fees and commissions) and "fee-only" (someone who never receives compensation or incentives from a third party.)
A fee-only adviser may reduce conflicts of interest such as:
Because we are an independent, fee-only firm our only obligation is to our clients. We work with a variety of clients and provide fee-only financial planning and investment advice to individuals and families regardless of their income level, net worth, or investment assets.
Paul Light is President of Light Financial Services, Inc. and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. Paul earned his bachelors' degree in Business Administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 1988. Paul has been working in the financial services industry for over 20 years. He started his career with Prudential Insurance Company where he worked from 1989 until 1995. In 1995, he began focusing his career on providing financial planning and investment management services to employees of public schools. Paul was employed by Educators Financial Services as a financial advisor from 1995-2001. In 2001, he left Educators Financial Services and founded Light Financial Services, Inc. as an independent firm focused on providing financial planning and investment advice to individual and their families. Paul earned his Certified Financial Planner™ designation in 1998.
Paul lives in Fargo, ND with his wife Tanya and they have three children, Alex, Arden, and Emily.
Samantha Blanchette, CFP®, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional with Light Financial Services, where she has been serving clients since 2011. With over 15 years of experience, she is passionate about providing thoughtful guidance that helps individuals and families feel confident, organized, and at ease in their financial lives.
Samantha takes pride in building meaningful, long-term relationships and delivering a planning experience that is personal, supportive, and clear.
She lives in Frontier, North Dakota, with her husband, BJ, and their children Hayden, Bauer, Jenna, and Kaleb. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time at the lake with her family and baking.
Jasmine Jones is the Administrative Assistant at Light Financial Services where she supports daily operations and helps ensure a seamless client experience. Originally from Atlanta, Jasmine earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Hospitality from Georgia State University. She assists with scheduling, client communications, and the organization of financial documentation, bringing strong attention to detail, professionalism, and a commitment to confidentiality in every aspect of her work. Outside of the office, Jasmine enjoys spending time with family, going on walks and watching classic movies.
Alex Light is an Executive Assistant at a Light Financial Services, where they provide high-level administrative support and help ensure the day-to-day operations run smoothly. They are known for their strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities with professionalism and efficiency. Alex excels in client communication and is dedicated to ensuring each client has a positive, seamless experience.
Alex attended North Dakota State University, studying business and fine art, and brings a unique blend of analytical thinking and creativity to their work. They are a licensed registered paraplanner and are currently preparing for the Series 65 exam, reflecting a continued commitment to professional growth within the financial industry. Alex especially enjoys working on projects that help clients feel confident and empowered in their financial decisions.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys spending time with their partner Jamie and their pets, Mira and Bean, as well as camping and relaxing at the lake cabin.