Melissa Anne Cox CFP® , CFSLA , ChSNC®
College Funding and Student Loan Advisor
Chartered Special Needs Consultant
Helping Busy Professionals Take Control of Their Financial Future
You’ve worked hard to build a successful career or business, but managing money can still feel like one more thing on your endless to-do list.
💡 Should we save more for retirement or put more into our kids’ college fund?
💡 Am I on track financially, or am I falling behind?
💡 I don’t have time to research every financial decision—can’t someone just make this easier?
These are the kinds of questions I help professionals and business owners answer every day.
With over 20 years of experience, I specialize in helping high-earning professionals and entrepreneurs balance wealth-building, family priorities, and financial security—without feeling overwhelmed.
Want to know more about my approach? Explore my services →
How I Help
I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all financial plans. My job is to help you make sense of your financial options, so you can make confident decisions without second-guessing yourself.
Here’s how I work with clients like you:
For Professionals & Dual-Income Families
💬 “How do we juggle saving for retirement, paying off our mortgage, and funding our kids’ college?”
✔ Create a financial roadmap that aligns with your family’s priorities.
✔ Optimize 401(k)s, IRAs, and tax strategies for smart, efficient investing.
✔ Balance college savings and retirement planning without sacrificing either.
For Business Owners & Entrepreneurs
💬 “How do I grow my business while making smart financial decisions for my future?”
✔ Optimize SEP IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, or cash balance plans for tax-efficient retirement savings.
✔ Manage cash flow and personal investments while scaling your business.
✔ Develop a tax strategy that keeps more money in your pocket.
Want to see how I can help? Schedule a Consultation →
Why I Became a Financial Planner
My journey into financial planning wasn’t something I had mapped out—it felt more like divine intervention.
I started as an assistant to a financial advisor, completely unaware that the experience would change my life. At the time, my own finances were, to put it bluntly, a hot mess. But as I learned about money management, I felt an undeniable pull to apply that knowledge to my own life.
I created a plan to tackle my mountain of debt, and with every milestone I reached, I felt more empowered. The moment I paid off my last dollar of debt, it wasn’t just about the numbers. It was about reclaiming control of my future.
The first time I built a financial plan for someone else, it was life-changing—for both of us. I showed her she could retire earlier than she ever imagined, and the look of relief on her face was worth more than any paycheck. In that moment, I knew:
🚀 This is what I’m meant to do.
📖 Want to dive deeper into my philosophy? Read my book, Future-Focused Wealth →
Credentials & Experience
📍 Education & Certifications:
🎓 BBA in Interdisciplinary Studies – The University of Texas at Arlington (Cum Laude)
📜 Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
📜 College Funding and Student Loan Advisor (CFSLA)
📜 Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®)
📍 Licenses & Securities:
✅ Securities Licensed with FINRA: Series 7, 66
✅ Texas Health and Life Insurance Licensed
Beyond Finance: Meet Melissa
Melissa is a native Dallas Texan, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and their Jack Russell Terrier.
As an endurance athlete, Melissa thrives on determination, goal-setting, and pushing past limits—principles she also applies to financial planning. Just a year after the birth of her first daughter, she completed her 5th Half Ironman distance triathlon (70.3 miles: 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1-mile run).
🏅 Half Ironman Finisher – Because endurance isn’t just for sports—it’s a mindset that carries over into life and financial success.
📚 Lifelong Learner – Passionate about financial education and simplifying complex topics.
🌍 Travel Enthusiast – Always looking for the next adventure!
📖 Want to dive deeper into my approach? Read my book, Future-Focused Wealth →
📩 Ready to take control of your financial future?
Jason Lackey Ramsey Solutions Master Financial Coach
From Survival to Financial Freedom: Jason's Story
Jason Lackey doesn’t just teach debt elimination — he lived it. Born into a home where financial chaos was normal, Jason’s earliest lessons about money were filled with scarcity, fear, and instability. His family lived paycheck to paycheck, floating checks, relying on credit cards, and enduring the constant anxiety of financial insecurity.
At 17, Jason joined the Army seeking structure, but without financial knowledge, he repeated the same patterns. Overspending, mounting debt, and financial stress followed him into adulthood. Even as he built businesses and worked hard, he was still living with the weight of bad money habits.
Everything changed during the 2008 recession, when Jason hit financial rock bottom. Facing the collapse of his business, overwhelming debt, and a growing family to care for, Jason discovered the world of personal finance education. For the first time, he realized the cycle could be broken.
Breaking the Cycle
Jason and his wife took drastic action:
- Sold their home and vehicles
- Downsized their lifestyle
- Returned to school to increase earning potential
- Built a debt-free plan from the ground up
By 2018, they became 100% debt-free. No car loans. No credit card balances. Just opportunity ahead.
What followed was more than just financial peace — it was transformation. Jason didn’t stop at getting out of debt. He began investing, acquiring rental properties, and building wealth. But the biggest shift? He found his purpose.
Jason’s calling became clear: help others experience the freedom he now lived.
Why Jason Coaches
Jason isn’t just a Ramsey Solutions Master Financial Coach by training — he’s one by experience. His coaching is rooted in real-life lessons, not just theory.
He created LostInDebtland to guide individuals and families out of the debt spiral and into financial confidence. He now partners with Future-Focused Wealth to offer clients a seamless transition from debt elimination to long-term wealth-building.
Jason’s Coaching Philosophy:
“I don’t just want you to get out of debt—I want you to break the chains for good. I know the fear, shame, and frustration. I’ve lived it. And I know freedom is possible.”
— Jason Lackey
How Jason Helps:
✅ Personalized Debt Elimination Plans
✅ Behavior and Mindset Coaching
✅ Budgeting That Works in Real Life
✅ Debt-to-Wealth Transition Coaching
✅ Partnership with CFP® Melissa Cox for Long-Term Planning
Jason's Approach with Future-Focused Wealth
While Jason runs his own coaching practice independently, his partnership with Future-Focused Wealth allows clients to:
- Eliminate Debt — with Jason’s coaching
- Develop Financial Habits — with Jason’s accountability
- Build Wealth — with Melissa Cox, CFP®, through strategic financial planning
Credentials:
- Ramsey Solutions Master Financial Coach
- Founder, LostInDebtland
- Over a decade of real-life financial recovery & coaching experience
Ready to Break Free from Debt?
👉 Book a Discovery Session with Jason
👉 Learn about Wealth Planning with Melissa Cox, CFP®
FAQs About Jason Lackey
What makes Jason different from other financial coaches?
Jason has personally walked the path from survival-mode to financial freedom. His combination of lived experience and Ramsey Solutions Master Coach training makes him uniquely qualified to help others break free from debt.
Is Jason an employee of Future-Focused Wealth?
No. Jason operates independently as the founder of LostInDebtland and partners with Future-Focused Wealth to help clients build a strong financial foundation before wealth planning.
Can Jason help me even if I feel hopeless about my finances?
Absolutely. Jason’s coaching is specifically designed for people who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or have “tried everything.” He knows the way forward because he’s walked it himself.