Scott Lucas, CFP®, CKA®
Co-Founder & Wealth Advisor
Firm Foundations Financial Group
Building a Financial Life That Holds
Not everyone comes to an advisor because something is broken. Most come because they’re not sure what to do next.
They’ve done a lot right.
They’ve saved. Invested. Built something meaningful.
But as life shifts—approaching retirement, losing a spouse, navigating change—the questions become less about what to do and more about what matters most.
That’s where I come in.
With over 17 years of experience guiding individuals and families through complex financial decisions, My work is centered on a simple but powerful idea:
We can’t control what the future brings — but we can build something that holds when it arrives.
In a world filled with uncertainty—markets, taxes, policy, and life itself—I help clients move beyond reaction and toward intentional design. My approach is not focused on chasing outcomes, but on building financial structures that can endure them.
Scott Lucas is a co-founder of Firm Foundations Financial Group and the author of Faith vs. Fatalism: Building a Life That Trusts the Plan, Not the Panic.
Who I Work With
I work primarily with people who are approaching or entering retirement and want to move forward with clarity—not just confidence.
Many of my clients are:
- Pre-retirees asking, “Am I ready?”
- Recently widowed individuals navigating decisions they didn’t expect to make alone
- Families who feel like they’ve done well, but want to be sure they’re not missing something
They’re not looking for more noise.
They’re looking for a clear way forward.
From Planning to Architecture
Over the years, I’ve found that financial planning isn’t really about numbers.
It’s about decisions.
And most people don’t struggle because they lack options—they struggle because they don’t have a framework for making those decisions well.
Markets change. Tax laws change. Life changes.
Without structure, it’s easy to react.
With the right structure, you can move forward with purpose.
I lead clients through a structured process designed to bring clarity, alignment, and long-term stability to every aspect of their financial lives.
This includes things like:
- retirement income planning
- tax-aware distribution strategies
- investment oversight grounded in evidence-based principles
- risk management and protection planning
- ongoing adaptation through life’s changing seasons
The Philosophy Behind the Work
My philosophy is rooted in the belief that uncertainty is not something to eliminate—it is something we prepare for.
Rather than attempting to predict what comes next, I help clients focus on what they can control:
- how their income is structured
- how their taxes are managed over time
- how their investments are positioned
- and how their overall plan adapts as life unfolds
This philosophy is the foundation of my book, Faith vs. Fatalism, where we explore the deeper connection between financial decisions, personal conviction, and the structures we build in response to uncertainty.
Author of Faith vs. Fatalism
Scott is the author of Faith vs. Fatalism: Building a Life That Trusts the Plan, Not the Panic.
The book was not written as a side project, but as an extension of the work he does with clients every day.
At its core, Faith vs. Fatalism addresses a question most people wrestle with—often without realizing it:
How do we make sound decisions in a world we can’t control?
Rather than focusing on prediction or certainty, the book explores a different approach—one centered on building structures that can endure life’s volatility.
Through a combination of real-world financial insight, personal reflection, and lived experience, Scott introduces a framework for thinking more clearly about:
- money
- risk
- decision-making
- and the role of faith in navigating the unknown
For clients, the book provides a deeper understanding of the philosophy that shapes Scott’s work—bringing clarity not only to financial decisions, but to the mindset behind them.
What It’s Like to Work Together
My work is structured, but it’s not rigid.
Together, we walk through a process designed to:
- Clarify where you are
- Identify what matters most
- Build a plan that aligns with your life—not just your accounts
- Adjust intentionally as life unfolds
I call these conversations our Cornerstone, Foundation, and Capstone phases.
Not because they sound good…
…but because they reflect how lasting things are actually built.
Credentials & Background
Scott’s background in counseling informs his ability to guide clients through not only financial complexity, but the emotional weight that often comes with it.
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)
- Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®)
- Graduate studies in Education/Counseling (Duquesne University)
Life Outside the Work
Outside of his professional life, Scott values time with his family and friends and remains deeply rooted in his Christian faith. You might find him and his wife, Shari, at one of the many lakeside parks throughout the tri-state area, enjoying time outdoors together.
Born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, Scott bleeds black and gold. In recent years, that loyalty has required a measure of patience—and perhaps a bit of grace—as he continues to wait expectantly for Pittsburgh sports to remember who they are.
Even when it comes to Pittsburgh sports, Scott chooses faith over fatalism—though recent years have certainly tested that conviction.
His work, writing, and relationships are all shaped by a desire to help others live with clarity, purpose, and conviction—especially in the face of uncertainty.
A Different Kind of Conversation
If you’re in a season where things are changing—or you’re simply wondering if you’re on the right path—you’re not alone.
And you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
If you’d like to start a conversation, I’d be glad to talk.