The Standard Newsletter
Rachael DeLeon, AFCPE President
The last few years have represented a season of growth and change for our organization – change that is purposefully aligned and forward looking. Change that meets the moment, while remaining grounded in our core values and principles. And change that never loses sight of the high standards we were... Read More >
Shari Evans AFC®, MQFP® - Your AFCPE Kids Corner Contributor Inspiring Kids to be Financially Literate
Most parents remember the classic shape-sorting toy — the one where children try to fit square, circle, and triangle pegs into their matching holes. Watching a child twist and test each shape before finding the right fit is a familiar scene. As I reflected on the New Year and what... Read More >
Andi Wrenn, AFC®, MQFP®
If you haven’t tapped in to the On Demand recordings from the 2025 Symposium, you certainly should check them out. Each year the symposium committee and volunteers review the presentations submitted for Symposium. Each year hundreds of submissions are sent in to be reviewed. As soon as the app... Read More >
Gilles Hudelot, CFP®, AFC®
Ronald Reagan once joked that “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” Contrary to the former president’s feelings, there are some great resources that allow you to borrow or incorporate into your client education so that you don’t have to start... Read More >
By: Maddie Orange, AFC®
Have you ever read a book and thought, “Where was this 15 years ago?” Rich AF by Vivian Tu is one of those books for me and could be a great tool for any financial counselor working with young professionals. Let me explain. Diversity in Personal Finance Education Rich AF is a... Read More >
By: Ann Lentell, CFA, AFC®, CFP® AFCPE Board President
Each year, rather than setting a traditional New Year’s resolution, I choose a word or phrase to serve as an anchor. As I step into my role as President of the Board for this year, I’ve spent time reflecting on what word best captures the heart and spirit of AFCPE. What stood... Read More >
Rachael DeLeon, Executive Director of AFCPE
October is Financial Planning Month, which has financial counselors, like Charlestien Harris, AFC®, retired financial coach at Southern Bancorp, reminding everyday Americans that just like the seasons, our lives are ever-changing, and so are our financial situations and goals. With 3 months of the year remaining, October is an ideal... Read More >
Dr. Brandy Baxter, AFC® AFCPE Board President
Dear AFCPE Members and Friends, As the holidays approach and the year winds down, it’s a natural time for reflection. A time to look back at the impact we’ve made and to look forward to the possibilities of the new year. For those of us within the AFCPE community, this... Read More >
Shari Evans AFC®, MQFP® - Your AFCPE Kids Corner Contributor Inspiring Kids to be Financially Literate
In this AFCPE Kids Corner Article, we will be exploring two personal finance "hot topics" asked by teenagers. The topics are: how do I make money, and how do I invest? When answering a teenager's personal finance question, I often provide responses framed within a three-pronged approach - Give them... Read More >
Curtis Sheldon & Tonia Peasley
Successful Financial Planning Firms recognize that wealth management is not just about numbers; it is also about behavior, and long-term transformation to help individuals in their journey of meeting financial goals. At C.L. Sheldon & Company, we’ve made it our goal to integrate financial planning and financial coaching within a... Read More >
Andi Wrenn, AFC®
One of the most common questions I hear from professionals on the journey to becoming an Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) is, “How should I prepare for the exam?” The truth is, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to studying. Some candidates thrive with structured schedules and group discussions, while others prefer... Read More >
Gilles Hudelot, AFC®, CFP®
For financial counseling professionals, understanding the nuances of these provisions is crucial to effectively advise clients on maximizing their tax benefits. This article provides a comprehensive overview of two key deductions—the "No Tax on Tips" and "No Tax on Overtime"—along with other notable provisions of the bill. The "No Tax... Read More >