From $100 a Month to CFP: How Julie Bonvillain Helps Clients Find Financial Clarity

After her divorce, Julie Bonvillain could only save under $100 a month. It wasn’t much, but it was something. And more importantly, it was consistent: Whenever she got a raise, she made a point to keep living on the same budget and put the extra income directly toward her savings goals.

“That’s the key,” she says. “People think financial planning is about having a lot of money to start with. It’s not. It’s about building good habits—saving what you can, being honest with yourself and staying the course (if you have a good plan).”

That mindset shaped how she now works with clients: not from a place of shame or pressure, but with patience, clarity, and a steady hand.

Today, Julie is a Certified Financial Planner and the Director of Financial Planning at Sandbox Financial Partners who helps others build that same foundation, from overwhelmed couples struggling to communicate about money to widows facing finances alone for the first time or the young person trying to figure out their benefits package.

For Julie, financial planning isn’t about spreadsheets or stock picks. It’s about honesty, trust, and small steps that turn into transformation.

In this interview, Julie discusses her journey, how she helps clients navigate life’s challenges, and more.

What inspired you to pursue the career path you’re on today?

Once a former employer explained what financial planning was, I realized it was one of the best things ever. It’s exciting, helpful, and everyone can benefit from it in some capacity. Whether it’s a one-time session or ongoing guidance, sometimes people just need a helping hand or a sounding board to get them to the next step.

Aside from the analysis, a lot of what I do is help clients hear themselves. I’ll reflect their thoughts back to them, and suddenly they’re like, “Oh yeah, I don’t actually want that—I want this other thing.” But to be a good sounding board in this industry, you need to truly understand the subject matter, even if you’re not explaining every detail to the client.

What would you say is the most rewarding part of what you do?

It’s that blend of being a guide, a sounding board, an educator and someone clients feel safe with. I work remotely from my home and my dog’s here with me every day. But I love collaboration with other professionals and with clients - I am all about working together. I especially love helping those in conflict. Helping them find common ground financially is incredibly rewarding to me.

What have you learned from working with divorce clients?

If I can help couples have honest conversations about finances (ideally) early on, maybe they won’t need someone like me when divorcing.

I just got remarried myself, and guess what—my husband and I disagree about money! It’s completely normal.

It’s so helpful to have a neutral third party where both people feel safe sharing. And when they feel safe, things come out: debt the other person didn’t know about, tax issues, different goals, or past traumas. Sometimes it will be shared that one of them feels guilty - it could be for spending or for not making as much money as the other. It happens often, and when they’re honest, that’s the beginning of working through it and possibly saving the marriage.

Sometimes during a meeting things get stirred up in the clients relationship. Part of what I do is to follow up with some direction, and then they do the hard work in between meetings. Sometimes there’s conflict and hurt feelings, but couples get better at the money talk with time and it becomes more normal. This is what I have learned by working with divorce clients-financial intervention early on can save a lot of marriages.

Do you have a favorite financial planning tip or strategy you like to share with clients?

Not a tip per se but for those who are scared or unsure about financial planning, I’d say: just schedule the appointment.

That first step is the hardest. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need to know how much you spend or how to budget. That’s what I’m here for. We’ll figure it out together. Just take that first step.

What’s the most common mistake you see couples making?

Being afraid to face their finances.

People are often ashamed and scared and think the problems are insurmountable or expensive to fix—but it doesn’t have to be. We talk, we create a plan, and we build it over time. Nothing gets fixed overnight, but with a few hours up front and scheduled check-ins, you can stay on track.

Can you share an example of a moment when you felt you really made a difference?

A few come to mind, like couples where one is very financially responsible and the other isn’t. In those conversations, important things come to light, and they’re often able to work through it. Also, the stereotypical case: a client’s husband dies, and she doesn’t know where the money is, how much they have or how to handle finances.

Sometimes it’s just accountability, and I don’t say that lightly. A client will ask me to check in to ensure they complete their estate planning documents. And if that’s all we do for three months, that’s okay, because it’s important, especially when kids or spouses are involved.

Blake mentioned that after losing his dad, it was surprisingly difficult to track down accounts, subscriptions, bills, etc. Is that common?

Definitely. That’s why one of the first things I do with clients is create a balance sheet. It sounds simple, but it’s not. People forget about assets, or don’t realize certain things are assets and need to be accounted for.

A solid balance sheet also helps with estate planning. It jogs your memory and helps you plan for the important items you want to pass on. But it may not be a one-time session, it may take years until we are confident it is accurate.

Let’s switch gears. You recently moved to Richmond, Virginia, what do you love most about your community?

I moved here in May 2024 when I got married, so I’m still settling in. When I was single, I went out a lot: pickleball on Thursdays, line dancing on Mondays, hiking/biking every Saturday. But now that I’m married, and my husband travels a lot, we haven’t found a new rhythm yet. Stay tuned.

Any favorite places to travel?

I love short trips to small or mid-size cities, places I can drive to and explore. My daughter and I take yearly birthday trips to places like Asheville, Charlottesville, or Chattanooga. My husband and I take bigger trips, but my favorite thing is exploring local spots, supporting small businesses, walking around, and discovering little shops.

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a workday?

My husband is excellent in the kitchen, so we usually have dinner at home together and wind down from there. I love to read, but sometimes my eyes are too tired after a day of screen time. So we listen to audiobooks while we are at the gym or riding in the car. We’re currently revisiting childhood or young adult favorites, like Where the Red Fern Grows, Lonesome Dove and The Scarlet Letter. I love that time together.

What’s the best piece of financial advice you’ve ever received?

Live below your means!