Arif Halaby, President and CEO of Total Financial Solutions, Inc., helps people manage their money, get out of debt and plan for their retirement.

However, it is what he does when he is not keeping people’s money safe that makes him the latest KHTS Santa Clarita Unsung Hero, proudly presented by Mercedes-Benz of Valencia.

Hard working from an early age

Halaby grew up in Sylmar, graduated from Sylmar High School and eventually went to Pierce College.

While Halaby was in the eighth grade, his family brought people from the Middle East because of the the civil war in Lebanon that began in 1975.

His mother would make sure that they would be registered in school, his father would make sure they had jobs and an apartment.

“My parents have always had that sense of pride in doing something as opposed to just sitting and receiving — if you’re healthy and you can get up off your fanny, you should go to work,” said Halaby.

“My first job was at the old Roxford Golf Course,” he said, “and what was important is that I learned that working meant receiving, it taught me that if I wanted something I had to go get it.”

Protecting people

From a young age, he had a dream of being an astronaut, and he wanted to go to the moon.

However, his career path seemed to show a bit of a theme that he did not notice for a long time.

“I would tell people that I was a lifeguard, security guard and I became police officer,’” Halaby said. “It was brought to my attention in the last five or six of years, but I have always been involved in protecting other people and I never saw the pattern.”

Halaby is also the host of Total Financial Solutions Safer Money Hour , which airs Tuesdays from Noon to 2 p.m. The show puts an emphasis on scam avoidance and how to protect people’s money.

Involved in Santa Clarita

Help the Children is an organization in Santa Clarita that helps raise food, funds and awareness for the many families in need in the Santa Clarita Valley. Halaby has been

“Help the Children is one of my favorite organizations,” Halaby said. “There is no federal money involved and I love the mindset and the mentality behind that.”

Through Halaby’s community involvement and charitable outreach efforts, he has impacted many individuals and families across Southern California.  Halaby also founded a program named “Leaders of Character.”

This annual dinner recognizes honorees from the Santa Clarita Valley who exemplify the Character, Values and Leadership espoused by the Boy Scout Oath and the Scout Law in their personal and public lives.

Read more KHTS Santa Clarita Unsung Heroes features presented by Mercedes-Benz of Valencia

He also sits as an active Executive Board Member for the Western Los Angeles Boy Scouts of America.

His other service organizations include: Providence Holy Cross Hospital, Board of Governors; and Habitat for Humanity, Board Member of the Homes for Heroes Program, benefiting Veterans and former Foundation Board Member, College of the Canyons.

Learning from life experiences

At age 25, Halaby had about $150,000 saved and, at age 26, he got scammed and lost most of that money.

“Here I was, a police officer with a gun on my hip, these guys were my friends and I was pretty smart, yet I could get taken,” said Halaby. “How much more so were other people and that’s what really fired me up to go down the financial services road.”

The incident made him realize he wanted to educate people on different opportunities that they have with financial services.

“Just because the broker comes to you home or you go to their office, they offer you one plan and you think that is all that’s available, well that wasn’t the case,” Halaby said.

Total Financial Solutions, Inc.

As mentioned before, Halaby is the president and CEO of Total Financial Solutions Inc. Total Financial Solutions Inc. offers money management, help to get out of debt and to save for retirement.

Its employees help clients build an integrated financial overview for families specific to their goals and aspirations.  

Whether working with an entire financial portfolio or one aspect of it, they are committed to treating every client with the same importance.

Total Money School

Total Money School has found that even though it’s one of the most important aspects of day to day living, basic financial education is not taught at home or school.

There’s no question why so many people find themselves with high debt, big mortgages and an inability to pay for their kids’ college, not to mention neglecting to save enough for their retirement needs, Halaby said.

“You’d be shocked at how many people have MBAs or CPAs and they still don’t understand the basics of personal finance,” Halaby said. “These are the things that just aren’t taught unless you seek them and that is what Total Money School is all about.

The instructors specialize in the fields of investments, insurance, estate planning, taxes, retirement, and much more.

There will be classes available early in 2014 and they will run all throughout the year.

Watch Halaby’s Unsung Hero Interview, Listen to the Podcast

Watch the video or listen to the podcast of Arif Halaby’s interview and learn more about this KHTS Santa Clarita Unsung Hero’s good deeds.

Mercedes-Benz of Valencia Salutes Santa Clarita’s Unsung Heroes

Mercedes-Benz of Valencia is proud to be part of the Santa Clarita Valley, not only giving you the superior customer service you deserve, but also giving back to our community by supporting our schools, sports teams, Sheriff’s Station and nonprofit organizations. Now, Mercedes-Benz of Valencia and KHTS have teamed up to present “Santa Clarita’s Unsung Heroes,” a series of special features spotlighting local residents who make a difference in our valley. With new contributions also comes a new Mercedes management team. Visit Mercedes-Benz of Valencia today.

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