About Us
Black Dog Wealth was built on experiences and a deep commitment to helping others create lives of abundance.
Our Story
From Military Life to Financial Life—This is Personal
For over a decade, Vanessa has helped military families navigate financial decisions with clarity and confidence. As a Certified Financial Planner, military spouse, and mom of three, she knows firsthand how life, service, and money intersect. She founded BDW to provide real-world financial guidance that’s compassionate and practical.
15
Years of experience
36K
Satisfied clients around the USA
642
Project completed in 12 States
Our Process
How We Work With You
1. Consultation
We begin with a friendly, no pressure call to learn about your goals, answer your questions, and see if we're a good fit.
2. Personalized Plan
We craft a financial strategy that reflects your life, honors your values, and helps you move toward your vision.
3. Support
Whether one-time or ongoing, we’re here to guide you—clearly, compassionately, and without judgment.
The Goal
Our Mission
To provide personalized, judgment-free financial planning that helps individuals and families align their money with their values, goals, and vision for life.
The Outlook
Our Vision
We believe true abundance goes beyond financial success—it includes meaningful relationships, personal fulfillment, and living a life you love. Our vision is to empower every client to build that life with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
The Team
Meet Vanessa Alanis
Hi there—I’m Vanessa.
I am a financial planner, a mom, and a military spouse with a deep understanding of the unique challenges that come with military life.
My husband, a retired U.S. Marine, and I raised three amazing kids while moving ten times during his career. I know firsthand what it’s like to juggle deployments, PCS moves, raising a family, and trying to maintain a sense of stability—especially when it feels like everything’s always in motion.
Building a career under those circumstances wasn’t easy. But I was fortunate to discover my passion for financial counseling and education early on—and it gave me purpose and direction no matter where we were stationed.
Whether serving as a caseworker with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society or supporting military families around the world as a Personal Financial Counselor on a DoD contract, I’ve had the honor of helping them find clarity, stability, and confidence in their financial lives.
I hold the AFC®, ChFC®, CFP®, and MQFP® certifications—because I believe financial planning should be empowering, practical, and tailored to your real life. I don’t just talk numbers—I connect with people where they are on their financial journey and help them build a path toward abundance, however they define it.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me horseback riding, hitting the gym, hanging out with friends, or planning my next travel adventure. I’m all about creating a life you love—and I’m here to help you take control of your finances so you can do exactly that.
Why “Black Dog” Wealth
The “Black Dog”
While “BDW” might be referencing my loyal companion, the choice of “dog” in the name also connects to a piece of military history. US Marines are often called “Devil Dogs,” a nickname that holds a lot of significance in the Corps. Having spent my entire adulthood immersed in military culture—specifically USMC culture (IYKYK)—I loved the idea of naming my business something that reflects both my experiences and the loyalty and dependability I bring to my financial planning practice.
Why Black Dog Wealth and not the dog’s name?
• I didn’t want my dog to get a big personality complex.
• His name is Bandit. Not surprisingly, market research showed that “Bandit Wealth” didn’t instill the same confidence in clients.