Blog

My Work: I work with individuals & couples in a virtual office setting, supporting them in their efforts to become more effective managers of their finances and to realize the kinds of financial lives they want for themselves and their loved ones. My Roots: I came from a career Air Force family...

April 01, 2018

Every April, we join the personal finance field in celebrating Financial Literacy Month – a national effort to highlight the importance of financial literacy and teach Americans how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits. This year, we are taking this opportunity to connect, raise awareness for and celebrate the AFCPE® community –...

March 29, 2018

My wife and I met and married while she was an NROTC instructor at the University of Texas. At the time, I was enjoying my career as a software developer in Austin.  I knew that our marriage would likely put her career in the Navy before mine. Like any military family,...

March 05, 2018

An Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) or Financial Fitness Coach (FFC®)Can Give You an Edge Many things go into the making of an Olympic champion.  Skill, hard work, dedication, sacrifice – and often a coach to help the athlete realize his/her full potential. Becoming a champion saver requires the same. A commitment to...

March 02, 2018

With so many obstacles to saving, how do we help bridge the savings gap for individuals and families, helping to turn savings goals into successful realities and small steps into lasting financial well-being? On Tuesday February 27, @AFCPE hosted a Twitter Chat to discuss ways to overcome obstacles to successful savings...

February 28, 2018

Application Deadline: Monday, February 19, 2018 We are seeking three professionals to serve on the 2018 AFCPE Certification Council. The Certification Council is an integral part of AFCPE's certification programs, helping to lead the association dedicated to furthering the field of personal financial counseling, coaching and education. Open spots must be...

February 13, 2018

When I received the welcome into the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship program I was excited about the opportunity to earn the career-enhancing AFC® certification mark. I felt proud and well on my way to achieving my personal and professional goals. But I also knew that I was just getting started and would have...

February 05, 2018

My family and I were sitting around the dinner table after Christmas, talking about the future. Where would we go when we retire one day? Where would my millennial children live and work? (The oldest embarked on her career about a year ago. The other two are in college.) Would...

January 29, 2018

As a personal financial counselor, I often meet with clients who find themselves in a spiral of debt and don’t know how to get out of it. The debt spiral is when someone takes on debt and then gets behind on their payments. After trying different tactics, with little success,...

January 22, 2018

As AFCPE membership continues to grow, so does the diversity and reach of our professionals. To ensure that the AFCPE Board of Directors is representative of the larger membership community, this Fall the Board voted to expand the current board constituencies. The new structure will better reflect and represent our...

January 16, 2018

The road to zero – the path you’ll take to pay your federal student loans down to zero – takes strategy and planning.  To create a successful strategy, you will need to reflect on your personal, professional and financial goals as well as your current financial situation.While it may seem...

January 09, 2018

When your clients are telling you the sensitive, private details of their financial lives, are you listening? I mean really listening? I’ve personally experienced two levels of listening, and perhaps others identify with these tiers as well. Basic Listening: This first level entails gathering enough information to grasp the speaker’s main point...

January 03, 2018