Erica Zaragoza, CFP<sup>&reg;</sup> - Financial Advisor

Erica Zaragoza, CFP®

Financial Planner, CFP®

Prosperitas Financial

224 Avocado St, Apt 6
Costa Mesa, CA 92627-5635
FINANCIAL ADVISOR'S WEBSITE
(213) 905-0688 CONNECT WITH Erica
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General

Erica Zaragoza is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and member of the Financial Planning Association, serving clients at Prosperitas Financial in Costa Mesa, CA and the surrounding communities.

Financial Advisor Overview

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional helping women, entrepreneurs, families, widows/widowers and purpose-driven individuals build strong financial foundations through personalized planning. With a rich background in Finance and Education, I focus on clear goal setting, tax-aware planning, and strategic investment management to support confident, informed decisions. My work is grounded in trust, collaboration, and real-life experience. After personally navigating the loss of my spouse, I approach financial planning with both technical expertise and deep empathy. Clients appreciate the clarity, compassion, and collaboration I bring to every conversation. My mission is to build authentic, long-lasting relationships with progressive professionals like you, helping you lay a strong financial foundation so you can stay focused on the meaningful work you do and love.

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Financial Advisor Experience

I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with eight years of experience as a lead advisor and, more recently, as a mentor and senior advisor to developing planners. My approach is holistic, placing client needs and goals at the center of every relationship. As a fiduciary, I hold myself to the highest standard of care, ensuring that every plan, strategy, and recommendation aligns with the client’s best interests. I specialize in guiding mid-level professionals building financial security, near-retirement clients preparing for their next chapter, entrepreneurs balancing personal and business wealth, and widows and widowers navigating one of life’s most difficult transitions. Across all cases, I focus on simplifying complexity and bringing clarity to financial decision-making. My core competencies span retirement planning, investment management, cash flow, insurance, education funding, tax strategies, and coordination with attorneys and CPAs. Within these areas, I have developed deeper expertise in: Tax Strategy within Investments – Helping clients maximize after-tax wealth through asset location planning, strategic rebalancing, Roth conversions, and self-employed retirement accounts, while coordinating with CPAs to align investment and tax planning. Estate Planning Guidance – Initiating open conversations and collaborating with attorneys to ensure clients’ intentions are reflected in wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations. Special Circumstances – Supporting widows and widowers with survivor benefits, retitling accounts, updating documents, and building sustainable income plans during times of overwhelming change. Career Development & Workplace Benefits – Helping mid-career professionals evaluate offers, negotiate benefits, and optimize plans, with expertise in RSUs and equity compensation. The most meaningful part of my work is seeing planning change lives: guiding families to balance retirement with college funding, helping entrepreneurs restructure finances to support growth and protection, and walking widows through consolidation and income planning to restore stability and hope. In addition to client work, I mentor newer advisors, contributing to the profession’s future by developing planners who share a fiduciary, client-first mindset. My experience affirms that true planning blends technical expertise with human understanding. Clients don’t come for spreadsheets alone—they come for a trusted partner to help them navigate uncertainty, make informed choices, and live aligned with their values. Ultimately, my commitment is to walk alongside clients throughout life’s changes, ensuring their plans remain aligned with their goals and that they feel supported and secure every step of the way.

Financial Advisor Certifications

Securities Registrations or Exam Qualifications

Designations & Certifications

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

Insurance Licenses

  • Life insurance: CA
  • Health/disability insurance: CA
  • Fixed annuities: CA
  • Variable annuities: CA

Broker-Dealer Disclaimer

Advisory services offered through Prosperitas Financial, an Investment Advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Financial Advisor's Specialties

Comprehensive Financial Planning, 401(k)/403(b)/IRAs, Annuities, Asset Allocation, Career Change, Estate Planning, Investment Management, Employee Benefits, Mutual Funds, Real Estate, Insurance, Life Planning, Retirement, Stocks & Bonds, Tangible Assets, Long-term Care, Starting a Family, Succession Planning, Sudden Wealth, Nontraditional Households, Women's Finances

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