Blog
#ResearchWednesday: Retaining Clients
The shift from traditional defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans has changed the personal financial planning landscape significantly. Today, many individuals look to financial professionals such as advisors for guidance on establishing financial goals, investing, and identifying the right financial products for protection against an uncertain future. The services...
February 19, 2020
Read More >What Every Financial Counselor Needs to Know About Student Debt!
Taking More TimeIn the advisor-client relationship student loans are taking up more and more time and due to the inherent complexities are creating some anxiety and confusion for all involved. Understanding the nuances of the federal student loan system and its loan repayment options are essential for all advisors, who...
February 18, 2020
Read More >#FridayFollow: Becoming Wise Stewards of the Gifts We Have to Give
Don Fulton, M.Div., M.Th., AFC®, CRC®, FFC® is a financial coach and an ELCA Lutheran clergy who is currently serving on the AFCPE Board of Directors. He describes himself as someone who wears two hats. As a financial coach, Don works with clients to empower them in their financial decision...
February 14, 2020
Read More >#ResearchWednesday: Financial ratios and financial satisfaction
Exploring associations between objective and subjective measures of financial well-being among older Americans.Financial planners and counselors use various methods to measure individuals’ financial situations. One method is to calculate financial ratios and compare them to benchmarks recommended by financial professionals.This study examines three financial ratios including the liquidity ratio, the...
February 12, 2020
Read More >Financial Counseling after the SECURE Act
The awkwardly named ‘Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement’ Act made sweeping legislative changes that will have an impact on more than just retirement planning. As financial counselors, it is important to understand how these changes might impact your clients. Below are some of the key provisions to keep...
February 10, 2020
Read More >#FridayFollow: Focus on the areas that light you up the most
Get to know new AFCPE Board Member, Jen Hemphill, AFC®! Jen has been active in the AFCPE community since 2008, when she became a FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellow. As an AFC, Jen is passionate about helping women become confident and take control of their money. As a board member,...
February 07, 2020
Read More >#ResearchWednesday: Financial Knowledge, Confidence, Credit Use, & Financial Satisfaction
In our article, “Financial Knowledge, Confidence, Credit Use, and Financial Satisfaction” we investigate the associations between consumers’ confidence in their financial knowledge and their financial behaviors and financial satisfaction. We observe that in order for customers to use their financial knowledge when making credit card use decisions, they must be...
February 05, 2020
Read More >How Credit Karma goes beyond credit
A woman who found her way out of a predatory car loan with guidance from Julie Tran, AFC®. A heart attack survivor with medical debt who started repairing his credit and created a plan to help him avoid bankruptcy with advice from Joshua Van Every, AFC® candidate. A young soldier who...
February 03, 2020
Read More >#FridayFollow: From Ironing Dollar Bills to Leaving a Lasting Impact
Eve Pentecost, CFP® is an assistant professor at The University of Alabama, working with students from across the country – and even outside it – as they prepare for rewarding careers and enrich their knowledge in consumer affairs and financial planning. Her appreciation for money and how to treat it...
January 31, 2020
Read More >#ResearchWednesday: Reframing Retirement Savings: Getting to Your Sustainable Lifestyle Level
Do not ask how much you need to save for your retirement, rather work out how much you can afford to spend now. Many people find it difficult to see themselves in retirement, and to estimate how much money they will need. This pushes them into denial, and they end...
January 29, 2020
Read More >Student Loan Essentials
Student loans have become an important part of the advisor/client relationship. Most clients, and most advisors, however, find student loans confusing and difficult to manage. This post will walk you through the essentials that all advisors need to understand about student loans. Types of Loans Student loans fall into one...
January 28, 2020
Read More >Strengthen Your Financial Preparedness for Emergencies Big and Small
Disasters and emergencies take time, money and resources away from other priorities. So why aren’t we doing more to be prepared? In collaboration with the AFCPE, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has compiled financial preparedness resources on the AFCPE website for financial professionals to reference and review with clients...
January 24, 2020
Read More >