Dave Moerlein

I founded Belay Finance with the belief that most people are capable of managing their own finances. They might just need some support along the journey.

Belay Finance is here to provide that support.

Whether we partner on a full financial plan or you need some hourly guidance, I act as an educator. I simplify financial concepts to help you make informed decisions, combining deep analytical expertise and genuine empathy to meet you in your moment of need.

My goal is to empower you and build your confidence. I will share my rationale, not just a recommendation. I'll guide you through my process, so you understand how you can make informed decisions in the future.

When we work together, I invite you to challenge me and ask questions. When we feel comfortable openly discussing our concerns, we're more likely to arrive at better outcomes. This concept is called psychological safety. At Google, I specialized in building psychologically safe teams, and I authored a highly-rated book on cultivating this environment across organizations. I now foster this with my Belay Finance clients.

If this aligns with what you're looking for, I'd love to connect!

SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE

I've lived what I'm helping you pursue. My background includes success across...

- 30 years of independent investing

- 15 years of leadership at Google

- Acquiring, rehabbing and selling a 40+ unit residential rental portfolio

- Founding a few philanthropically-focused businesses

- Achieving financial independence by age 44

A proprietary approach to portfolio analysis.

I dedicated 4 years and multiple client tests to provide a simplified approach to comparing portfolios. The analysis focuses on factors that are likely to matter most to your financial success: performance and cash flows.

WHAT'S BEHIND THE NAME?

Belay Finance pulls its name from my time exploring in the mountains. When climbing a mountain with a friend, there is often one person ascending the peak and another at the bottom holding the rope. The person at the bottom is the belayer. They can guide the climber toward the best route and stop the climber from dropping too far, if they fall off the rock.

I'm here to belay you along your financial ascent. I'll guide you toward the best route and support you if you feel like you might stumble.

Your financial ascent continues here.

I could have never predicted the path my life would take.

I grew up in Cincinnati, OH and moved many times as an adult - Columbus, Ann Arbor, Boston, Denver, Boulder, San Francisco and Chicago - before returning home to be near family and start this next chapter. Along the way, I built a financial life that gave me the freedom to choose what came next.

That freedom didn't come from a lucky stock pick or an early crypto bet. It came from 30+ years of learning, iterating, and building a disciplined approach to investing and spending. I founded multiple companies, built and sold a real estate portfolio of more than 40 units, spent 15 years leading teams across 10 global offices at Google, and wrote a book about leadership along the way.

When I left Google, I could have done anything. I chose to start Belay Finance because I believe most people are capable of managing their own finances, and they deserve an advisor who teaches them how, rather than one who creates dependency to protect a recurring fee.