FAQs & About

TradesWave Wealth was founded in the St. Louis, Missouri area and serves skilled trades professionals across the United States. The primary audience is electricians, welders, HVAC technicians, pipefitters, carpenters, and other blue-collar workers who want to build wealth aligned with their career and lifestyle. That said, Patrick Ritter also works with a broader range of clients including business owners, multi-millionaires, and individuals at various stages of their financial journey — all served through the Core Planning platform. 

A Stack Season is a 5-or-more-year window — typically right after completing a trades program — when a skilled trades professional is uniquely positioned to build serious wealth. During this period, income is high thanks to overtime and union wages, expenses are low because lifestyle hasn't inflated yet, and time is on your side for compound growth. For tradespeople specifically, Stack Season often starts earlier than it does for college graduates, who spend their twenties paying off debt instead of building assets. Recognizing and acting on this window is the core idea behind TradesWave Wealth. 

The Weekly Wealth Approach is a system for saving and investing on a consistent weekly cadence, regardless of how or when you get paid. Rather than trying to save a large amount once a month — which is easy to skip or raid — you automate small weekly transfers into a high-yield savings account and investment accounts through the Altruist app. This keeps money moving toward your goals every single week, smooths out the impact of slower seasons or income gaps, and builds the habit of treating savings as non-negotiable. Over time, consistent weekly contributions compound into significant wealth without requiring constant willpower or financial discipline in the moment. 

A fee-only financial advisor is one who is compensated exclusively by clients — not by commissions, product sales, or referral fees from financial companies. Patrick Ritter, CFP® is a fee-only advisor, which means he only gets paid for his time and advice. He has no financial incentive to recommend one product over another, and he does not sell insurance policies, annuities, or investment products for a commission. This structure is designed to keep advice objective and fully aligned with the client's interests. 

TradesWave Wealth is built specifically for the income patterns common in the skilled trades — including overtime-heavy seasons, project-based pay, travel assignments, and slower off-season periods. The Weekly Wealth Approach is designed to work even when income fluctuates, using automated weekly savings transfers that can be adjusted up or down as your work schedule changes. Financial plans through TradesWave Wealth also include tax projections that are updated throughout the year, so an unexpectedly high-earning season doesn't result in a surprise tax bill. The goal is a plan that bends with your work life instead of breaking under it. 

A financial advisor helps you create a plan to reach your money goals—whether that’s buying a house, investing for retirement, reducing taxes, or building long-term wealth. We provide education, strategies, and ongoing support so you’re not navigating it all alone. 

Yes. We’ll help you understand how your retirement plans work, review investment options, and show you how to make the most of your employer benefits. I can offer solo-401k and 401k plans for your business as well.

There is no minimum asset requirement to work with TradesWave Wealth. Hourly financial planning is available at $250 per hour, which is ideal for someone who wants one-time advice, a second opinion, or help building a plan without committing to ongoing management. Full-service financial planning and investment management — which includes ongoing portfolio oversight, tax planning, and use of the RightCapital financial planning platform — starts at 1% of assets under management, with fees decreasing as assets grow. TradesWave Wealth works with clients at all stages, including those just starting out with nearly nothing saved. 

No. I also help a variety of clients I've earned the privilege to work with. Some are multi-millionaires and some are business owners, some are just starting out in life. All my clients are served through the Core Planning platform.

Core Planning, LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) that provides the regulatory and operational platform through which Patrick Ritter offers financial planning and investment management services. TradesWave Wealth is Patrick's specialized practice within that platform, focused specifically on skilled trades professionals. All advisory services — including financial plans, investment accounts, and ongoing client relationships — are conducted under the Core Planning umbrella. This structure means clients get the personalized, niche focus of TradesWave Wealth backed by the compliance infrastructure and institutional-grade investment custody of an established RIA. 

We focus on trades professionals and blue-collar workers—people who work hard and want their money to work just as hard. We combine simple education with personalized advice tailored to your career path, benefits, and goals. 

Below are some great resources to learn more about Altruist regarding some common questions and concerns:

• Altruist Overview

• Financial Security

• Digital Safety

• Getting Started: Video Overview