Melody Townsend, CFP®
Comprehensive financial planning backed by exceptional service.
Wealthtender Community Connect helps people discover the best financial advisors for their individual needs through their favorite blogs and podcasts.
Click Here to Learn More
Serving Clients Nationwide
Comprehensive financial planning backed by exceptional service.
Areas of Focus
- Estate Planning
- Financial Life Planning
- Investing
- Investment Management
- Retirement Planning
- Social Security
- Tax-Smart Distribution Planning
- Taxes
About Melody Townsend, CFP®
Melody Townsend launched Townsend Financial Planning in 2006 as a solo practitioner specializing in comprehensive financial planning. Because of client demand, in 2016 she added investment management services and since then the firm has seen substantial growth, with total assets under management growing from $15 million to $134 million at the beginning of 2025.Since starting the firm, Melody has been quoted in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Financial Advisor magazine. She loves the trusted relationships she has built with her clients and employees over the years and says, “Most days do not even feel like work. It just feels like doing life with some really amazing people!”
Melody started a family and was able to be a present mom. Her two children, Anna and Alden, now ages 12 and 10, spent many days in the office as babies, which allowed Melody to be both a successful mom and advisor. She now even has time to enjoy her hobbies of reading, playing card games, road trips, and enjoying occasional date nights and delicious food with her husband of more than 25 years, Jason!
Giving back to her community is also important to Melody. In 2015, she was elected to serve as a County Commissioner. In 2019, she was re-elected for a second term. However, due to tremendous business growth, she opted not to seek re-election when her term concluded in December 2022.
Melody always thought she would be a teacher… and, in some ways, she is. She is a true fiduciary; she breaks down challenging financial topics and helps her clients be good stewards with their money – proving that with planning comes peace.
Professional Designations
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ®
Affiliations
-
Fee Only Network
- Garrett Planning Network
- National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
- Garrett Planning Network
Primary Location
36 East Main Street, Mt. Sterling, KY 40353
Additional Locations
📍 710 East Main Street Lexington, KY 40502
📍 7508 New LaGrange Road, Ste. 6 Louisville, KY 40222
Video
Meeting Options
- Video Conference
- In-Person
- Phone
Compensation Methods
- Offers Advice-Only Services
- Fee Only
- Flat Fee
- One-time Financial Plan
- Package Offers
- Percentage of Assets Managed
What to expect in the first meeting
Click the 'Book Intro Call' button above to schedule a free introductory call. We understand your time is valuable, so we offer a brief introductory phone call to answer your most pressing questions about our services. Gather your questions and we will give you a call at the time you select. We look forward to speaking with you soon!Offers Investment Management
Yes
About Townsend Financial Planning
While there are countless advantages to engaging a knowledgeable financial advisor, our clients say the most significant value Townsend Financial Planning provides is peace of mind.From college and retirement planning to investment allocation and cash flow projections, TFP manages the technical aspects to mitigate financial risk and position you for long-term success. Regardless of financial goals or stage of life, our advisors walk hand-in-hand with each client to navigate their financial journey.
FEE-ONLY CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professionals
Engaging a fee-only CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® is a huge benefit to TFP clients. With no conflicts of interest to sell a certain commission-based product line, we are free to serve with transparency, plan with no hidden charges, and do what is best for our clients every single time.
OUR FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY
As a fiduciary, TFP puts the client’s best interests above all else. It is our ethical duty to recommend investments and strategies that best support a client’s individual circumstances and financial goals, which is why all our advisors are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals.
Top 5 Reasons People Choose Townsend Financial:
1️⃣ Trust
2️⃣ Personal Service
3️⃣ Above & beyond approach
4️⃣ Professional & friendly team
5️⃣ Belief system/ value alignment
We are here to help.
Whether you’re ready to get started or just interested in learning more, we are here for you. Simply tell us a little bit about yourself, and we will put you on the right financial path.
Education
Morehead State University, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Financial Planning and Services
Volunteer Experience
Melody has always been passionate about giving back to her community. As an elected County Commissioner for 8 years (2015-2023), she worked tirelessly to help navigate fiscal challenges, ensuring vital county services remained strong while being mindful of how taxpayer dollars were spent. She currently serves on a local government board focused on expanding broadband access throughout the county, connecting communities and fostering growth. In addition to her work in government, Melody is dedicated to supporting those in need. She volunteers at the Sterling Food Coalition, a local food pantry, and wholeheartedly supports its mission to provide nourishment and assistance to her neighbors. Her commitment to service extends to her professional community as well, having previously served as the Media Relations Director on the Financial Planning Association of Kentuckiana Board and a Member Advisory Board member of the Garrett Planning Network. Melody’s volunteer work reflects her deep care for both her community and her profession, and it drives her to create meaningful, lasting impact wherever she can.
Hobbies and Interests
- Basketball
- Beach
- Board Games
- Church
- Eating Out
- Family
- Gardening
- Reading
- Relaxing
- Traveling
- Walking
SEC Lookup
View DisclosureWho We Serve
- Baby Boomers
- Couples
- Dual Income Family
- Educators
- Entrepreneurs
- Families
- Gen X
- Gen Y / Millennials
- Government Employees
- Individuals
- Intergenerational Families
- Living in Retirement
- Parents
- Single Women
- Widow
- Women in Transition
- Women Professionals
- Women’s Finance
Wealthtender® is a trusted, independent financial directory and educational resource governed by our strict Editorial Policy, Integrity Standards, and Terms of Use. While we receive compensation from featured professionals (a natural conflict of interest), we always operate with integrity and transparency to earn your trust. Wealthtender is not a client of these providers. Testimonials may not be representative of other clients’ experiences and do not guarantee future performance or success.
Write a Review
By clicking submit, you acknowledge this review is based on your own experience and reflects your genuine opinion. You also agree to our review policy, privacy policy, and terms and conditions, and give this financial advisor permission to publicly display your review on their website.
5 Stars
Melody and her team take the time to make it personal. Not a cookie cutter approach. Highly recommend
5 Stars
Working with Townsend Financial Planning gives us the confidence we need to navigate our retirement years. Melody and her team are always accessible, caring, professional and responsive. They make it their mission to understand our goals, be cognizant of our personal needs, and empathetic to any concerns we have in order to craft a financial plan for us. They never try to sell us a product or impose their opinions on us but always take a collaborative approach that we can feel confident in the results. Highly recommend, 10/10!!!
5 Stars
5 Stars
Townsend Financial Planning-they help you plan your future. We have been working with them for several years. Very knowledgeable and great people to have on our side. No company better!
5 Stars
I have never had a bad experience with anyone in your office. That I feel is a great accomplishment to have hired that caliber of employees.
5 Stars
Google would need to have (at least) 10 stars to approximate how I feel about Townsend Financial Planning (TFP). I have been with TFP since it opened and had been working with Melody Townsend from before that time. Thinking about finances can be very unsettling, but I have never had a moment of anxiety knowing the intelligence and empathy that Melody and her entire staff bring to every client. "With Planning Comes Peace" is the guiding commitment of TFP. You can count on it!
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE
My husband and I were referred to Melody Townsend by a close friend. She and her company have not disappointed us. We were looking for guidance as we were nearing retirement. My husband and I are not savvy in this realm. Melody, with every call and meeting, was very informative and made the material easy for us to understand. Always explaining the plan for our portfolio. When we have questions and make a call, Melody and her team are on top of it, making sure those questions are answered in a timely manner and thoroughly answered. We couldn't be happier with our decision. To us, Townsend Financial Planning feels like a true family. The care about their clients!
5 Stars
We have had a wonderful experience with Townsend Financial Planning. From our first meeting with Melody and her team, I knew we had found someone who we could trust, and work diligently to help us work toward our financial goals. Grounded by strong values of service and stewardship, with a thorough knowledge of "tried and true" investment principles, Townsend sets themselves apart through the personal relationships they form with their clients to truly understand their needs. Can't recommend them highly enough... we should all be so lucky to have someone like Melody and Nick guiding us through our big financial decisions and working toward our retirement goals.
5 Stars
I've entrusted management of my resources to Townsend Financial for years now and trust them implicitly . They have never failed to manage my accounts in a superb manner .They are like family and I appreciate all they do of me - They always provide the guidance I require and do it cheerfully and kindly - If you need help with all your financial decisions -you can not go wrong with Townsend Financial .
5 Stars
I am involved with decisions, and Melody et al are very transparent about account activities. Lots of graphs and explanations of what to expect from my investments. Regular update meetings are incredible, and I always leave feeling that they have it all under control and that I’m OK. It’s an honest organization with integrity and compassion.
Nic Bailey
Just wanted to say Nic has done a nice job with my retirement account. Looking forward to working with him through the next few years!
Melody Townsend
Melody is the best! She's very personable and caring, making sure you feel as you are part of her family. She and her team have made our financial position better than we have ever expected. I would give 10 stars if I could!
5 Stars
Google would need to have (at least) 10 stars to approximate how I feel about Townsend Financial Planning (TFP). I have been with TFP since it opened and had been working with Melody Townsend from before that time. Thinking about finances can be very unsettling, but I have never had a moment of anxiety knowing the intelligence and empathy that Melody and her entire staff bring to every client. "With Planning Comes Peace" is the guiding commitment of TFP. You can count on it!
5 Stars
Townsend Financial Planning has given us nothing but wise and sound advice. They are very personable and have made our lives a lot less stressful by their careful and insightful planning. We are very pleased with Melody and her team. They're the best!
Extremely knowledgeable and great advisor
Melody originally helped us consolidate all our retirement accounts from several previous employers. From that initial work, we entrusted her to manage all our retirement accounts. I actually thought I knew what I needed to about retirement accounts to ensure we maximized our investments, but regular talks with her have confirmed that working with an expert really makes all the difference in maximizing returns and planning for retirement as soon as possible. We are very grateful for the services Melody and her team provide!
5 Stars
We are very thankful for the wise advice and prudent guidance we receive from Townsend Financial Planning. There is no doubt our financial position is much better because of their close monitoring of our accounts and direction provided. We could not recommend them more highly.
5 Stars
Townsend Financial Planning has been a godsend for us. They helped us plan for retirement while we were working and are helping us navigate our retirement years with confidence. Everyone on the team is professional and makes us feel like we are the best hands!!
5 Stars
-
We Want Your Voice to be Heard
Wealthtender exists to help people discover trusted and authentic financial professionals and educators who may be a good fit based on their unique needs and circumstances.
Your honest reviews help people decide which financial professionals and educators may be best suited to their individual needs.
The majority of people trust reviews as much as personal recommendations, so what you write in your review should reflect your own opinion and experience.
Tips for Writing a Helpful Review
Be descriptive. Instead of just saying what you like or dislike, share why. What have you enjoyed most or least about your experience with the provider? Have they helped you overcome a difficult financial challenge or strengthened your knowledge about particular money matters? The more details, the better!
Be honest. Your rating and review should reflect your actual experience.
Stay relevant. Ensure your review is helpful to others by avoiding off-topic discussions or personal opinions not relevant to your direct experience.
Make your review easy to read. Reviews should be readable to others. Use proper grammar, avoid excessive capitalization or punctuation, and be sure to check your spelling.
Be yourself. Don’t post as, or pretend to be, someone else, and do not say you’re associated with a person or organization with which you are not.
Be nice. Don’t write abusive, hateful, threatening, or harassing content. Avoid personal threats, hate speech, obscenities, or inflammatory language.
Respect the privacy of others. Don’t post information that can be used to identify another individual or compromise their privacy.
Report abuse. Thank you for helping us ensure reviews on Wealthtender are helpful to everyone. If you suspect possible violations of our guidelines or believe a review is inappropriate, please email [email protected] with a link to the provider’s profile, indicating the review in question and the reason you believe it violates our guidelines.
➡️ Are you reviewing a financial advisor? Learn more about Certified Advisor Reviews.
Disclaimers
Wealthtender reserves the right to remove reviews that violate its guidelines and/or regulations issued by the Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, FINRA, and other regulatory agencies. Further, financial advisors are subject to individual firm policies and rules prescribed by federal and state regulators that may result in reviews being removed, not published, or potentially modified upon the documented request submitted by an advisor, compliance officer, or other firm professional to maintain compliance with federal and state regulations.
If you submit a review on Wealthtender, the Federal Trade Commission has issued guidance to ensure you always maintain the right and ability to request reviews be removed from any online review website, including Wealthtender. To request the removal of a review you submitted on Wealthtender, please send an email to [email protected] using the same email address you utilized when submitting the review. Please include in your email a link to the profile on Wealthtender where your review is published.
In addition to your review being published on Wealthtender, you acknowledge your review may also be published by your financial advisor on their website, social media accounts, and/or profile pages on other directory websites.
The reviews posted on Wealthtender are individual and subjective opinions. The opinions expressed in reviews are those of the reviewer and not of Wealthtender, Inc. Wealthtender does not endorse any of the opinions expressed by reviewers.
Please refer to the Wealthtender terms of service and privacy policy for additional information.
If you have questions or if we can assist with anything at all, please contact us by email at [email protected] or call us at (512) 540 – 3811.
Thank you for visiting Wealthtender and giving us the opportunity to serve you.
© 2024 Wealthtender, Inc.
