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Successfully Blending Family And Career

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,...

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Become a Gold Medal Saver

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...

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America Saves Week: Bridging the Savings Gap

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...

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Call for Applications: 2018 AFCPE® Certification Council

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...

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3 Things to Consider for a Meaningful Practicum Experience

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...

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What Is Hygge? How can it help us live better, be happier, and save more?

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...

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Three steps to rise above the debt spiral

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,...

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Help Set The Highest Standard: Join our Diverse & Inclusive Community

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...

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On the Road to Zero, Strategy is Key

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...

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Are You Really Listening?

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...

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Naughty or nice: Is there a financial reward for acting ethically?

It is almost Christmas time, and the song “Santa Claus is coming to town” keeps playing over and over. For me, the key lines of this jingle are “He knows if you’ve been bad or good so be good for goodness sake.” The implications of this are clear: Good kids will get...

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AFCPE: Advancing the Profession and Bridging the Gap Across Professionals and Communities

One of the things I love most about AFCPE is the diversity and depth of our professionals. Each one brings a different area of expertise and experience from across the field of personal finance, from research to practice. This connected, dynamic network is a hallmark of AFCPE. This year’s Annual...

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