The Standard Newsletter

Understanding Financial Trauma Written by: Heidi Clemons MA, AFC®, MQFP® For many survivors, stepping away from a high-demand group or an abusive, coercive relationship represents a profound act of courage. Yet once the initial separation happens, a new reality often emerges—one where financial independence feels unfamiliar, overwhelming, or even frightening. ... Read More >

Going Local to Advocate for Financial Wellness Written by: Lisa Whitley, AFC® I don’t think that it is a secret that the possibilities for national action on consumer financial protection are closing. Certainly, some key issues such as debt collection protection, fair lending, and banking practices, will move from the purview of the Consumer... Read More >

One-Size-Fits-All Personal Finance Strategies Don’t Work Written By: Shari Evans AFC®, MQFP®, AFCPE Kids Corner Contributor 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... Read More >

Unpacking the On Demand Sessions from the 2025 Symposium Written by: 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... Read More >

Financial Education and Financial Wellness Resources Written by: Gilles Hudelot, CFP®, AFC® 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... Read More >

Book Review: Rich AF by Vivian Tu Written 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... Read More >

President’s Message: Anchoring in Community Written 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,... 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 >