About Pavlov Financial Planning and global living
Pavlov Financial Planning is an independent Registered Investment Advisor located in the Capital region of the USA, dedicated to serving globally mobile professionals and multi-national families.
Learn more and schedule an introductory meeting with our financial planners, Hui-chin Chen and Sefa Mawuli, below.

Hui-chin Chen, CFP®
Principal & Owner of Pavlov Financial Planning
As a first generation immigrant to the US and a globally mobile professional, I know firsthand how much time and energy goes into making prudent financial decisions involving ties in more than one country.
I have felt the pain of not getting the financial advice I needed when I:
- Married someone from another country
- Became a US permanent resident and then dual citizen
- Moved globally for work
- Dealt with family affairs outside of the US
- Returned to the US after living overseas
This is why I dedicate myself to help those who are and will be in the same boat. We have explored the options so I can guide you through them. Together we will structure your finances in a way that will allow you to enjoy global living, and I will be there to support you through your journey.
Since joining Pavlov Financial Planning in 2014, I have developed expertise in guiding globally mobile professionals to simplify, organize, and make good decisions for their complex financial lives scattered around the world. I particularly enjoy helping couples in their 20s to 40s become true financial partners and work together as a team.
Graduated from Carnegie Mellon University and National Taiwan University, I speak fluent English, Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese, and am conversational in Spanish and Japanese. I am able to work with clients that prefer to converse in Mandarin.
As a member of XY Planning Network and The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), I promise to uphold fiduciary standard and always put your best interest first.
My work was recognized in 2017, when I was named one of the 40 under 40 Financial Advisors by InvestmentNews. I have also been featured in news outlet such as Forbes, CNN, CBS News, CNBC, and Bloomberg. I also write about the intersection of global living and financial planning on Money Matters for Globetrotters.
Hui-chin's latest blog posts
- How to manage currency risk
Many of my clients earn and save in more than one currency. I often get asked the following: Should I keep large deposits in different currencies? When should […]
- How to manage foreign company equity compensation as a US taxpayer employee
After discussing managing US company equity grants and US ESPP purchases, in this third installment around employee equity compensation for globally mobile […]
- How to manage US Company ESPP when you move overseas?
In a previous post, I addressed how to manage US company stock options or RSU when your US tax residency or physical location changes. However, I left Employee […]
Hui-chin's Youtube Channel
Interviews with Hui-chin
Transparency With Diana B.: Life in Lockdown During COVID-19 – WealthManagement.com
Can and Should an International Student, Scholar, or Worker Invest in the US? – Personal Finance for Phds
Serving Globally Mobile Clients – An Interview with Hui-chin Chen – XYPN Radio
Cross Border Planning with Hui-chin Chen – Money Savage Location independent and working with expats – XYPN Radio
Planning your finances with your partner – Tandem Nomads
Press Mentions
AAPI Personal Finance Trendsetters to Follow – Real Simple / May 21, 2021
Should you give your kids an equal inheritance? – Associated Press / May 11, 2020
The marriage exemption’s big exception – Financial Planning / October 7, 2019
A FIRE case study: Can this Reddit user with $2 million invested and thousands more in cash retire early? – Market Watch / July 8, 2019
Recipe for Success – The Foreign Service Journal / March 2019
Can you afford to help your kid start a business? – Associated Press / July 9, 2018
How Roth IRAs Can Help in an Emergency – Nerdwallet / January 17, 2018
I Am a Foreign National — What Should I Do With My 401(k)? – Magnify Money / January 5, 2018
Are you Retirement Ready – Foreign Service Journal / January 4, 2018
How to Get Through the Holidays When You Can’t Afford Them – GoBankingRates/ November 28, 2017
How to buy a home without a mega down payment – CNN Money / October 26, 2017
3 Ways to Ruin Your Investing Strategy – U.S. News and World Reports / September 8, 2017
What you should know about retiring in a foreign country – CBS News / July 31, 2017
How to switch careers and still reach your retirement goals – CNBC / June 17, 2017
Relocating for Retirement? 5 Factors to Consider – The Fiscal Times / April 26, 2017
10 Questions Financial Planners Wish You’d Ask – U.S. News and World Reports / April 25, 2017
Get ‘em in the door when they are young – Financial Planning / April 13, 2017
7 Money Rules Freelancers Should Live By – Magnify Money / March 23, 2017
How to Use Your Health Savings Account (HSA) as a Retirement Tool – Magnify Money / March 17, 2017
How Millennials Can Avoid Working Until Age 75 – Investopedia / February 11, 2017
5 Ways To Start Married Life With Extra Cash – Forbes / October 31, 2016
6 Steps To Make The Most Of Your Money Before 30 – Prosper and Thrive by Santander Bank
Pay Up! How Renters With Roommates Should Divvy Up Expenses – Trulia’s Blog / October 31, 2016
How Do Secured Credit Cards Work? – MyBankTracker / October 6, 2016
Holistic financial planning benefits clients, advisors – Mass Mutual
Watch out, more workers want company stock – CNBC / September 17, 2016
Origin Stories, Part 3: ‘I Decided to try planning myself’ – Financial Advisor IQ / August 26, 2016
Ask Brianna: Do I Really Need a Budget in My 20s? – Associated Press / August 16, 2016
401(k) for Foreign Nationals: What to Do as a Permanent Resident or Visa Holder – Captain401 / August 4, 2016
37 tips to save on travel from the experts – Bald Thoughts / August 4, 2016
Financial advisers’ secrets for starting and keeping an emergency fund – Bankrate / June 21, 2016
Millennials challenged by funding modern retirement – CNBC / June 15, 2016
Keep The Financial Sun Shining On Your Clients – InsuranceNewsNet.com / May 31, 2016
To Lock In Better Deals, Advisors Negotiate With Their Vendors – Investor’s Business Daily / May 20, 2016
Here’s How to Give Graduates Stock as a Gift – Money / May 19, 2016
Give Your Graduate Cash—a Lifetime of It – Bloomberg / May 18, 2016
Seven Financial Secrets for New Moms – Mass Mutual / May 2016
30 Things I Learned from My Mother – Debt Free After Three / May 8, 2016
10 Ways to Trick Yourself Into Saving Money – The Simple Dollar / January 29, 2016
39 of the Best Financial Tips to Start the New Year – Debt Roundup / December 29, 2015
12 Top Scams Affecting Your Pocketbook – GOBankingRates / November 25, 2015
To Serve Clients From Afar, Advisors Use Video – Investor’s Business Daily / October 23, 2015

Sefa Mawuli, CFP®
Financial Planner
I help globally-minded professionals and people with cross-border ties to organize their finances to meet their life goals. I also have extensive experience working with professionals who receive equity compensation (RSUs, RS, ISOs, NQSOs).
My passion for financial planning grew from my own experience of not finding adequate financial advice:
- as a busy corporate professional and new US immigrant navigating the US financial system
- as I transitioned from student visa to H1B to green card, then to naturalized citizen
- as I navigated employer-granted equity compensation, home purchase, entrepreneurial pursuits in the US and abroad
- as I sorted through taxes and other administrative details when I moved abroad with my young family
- as I budget for regular and necessary international trips that aren’t exactly cheap
- as I plan for retirement which may or may not happen in the US, and save for my kids who may or may not go to college in the US…
…you get it.
My practice approach is hands-on and ongoing. I act as a personal CFO: working closely with my clients to manage their overall financial lives – and the various life events that pop up.
I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and fee-only financial adviser because I learned the hard way that to get real financial advice that serves your best interest, your adviser should be compensated by only you (no commissions or incentives from insurance companies or brokerages).
Originally from West Africa, I have lived in Papua New Guinea, England and New Zealand. I manage a bilingual (French/English) household with my spouse, Mike and our two children. When I’m not financial planning or volunteering at my kids’ activities, you’ll find me running on the roads and trails around the Washington DC area or checking out a music venue.
If you’re seeking a long-term partnership with a comprehensive financial planner who can guide you through all aspects of your financial life in the US and wherever life may take you, send me a note and we’ll figure out if we’re a mutual fit.