The Standard Newsletter
Rachael DeLeon, AFCPE Executive Director
As someone who has drawn inspiration from the lessons of distance running, I see our strategic journey not as a sprint, but as a marathon – one shaped by the path ahead and the collective energy of all who travel with us. The marathon is more than a test of... Read More >
Dr. Brandy Baxter, AFC® AFCPE Board President
After spending a few sunshine-filled days on the beautiful islands of Hawaii, I returned with more than just photos and sand in my suitcase; I brought back perspective. There’s something about the rhythm of the ocean and the gentle island breeze that reminds you how vital it is to simply... Read More >
Naolee Makonnen
As a Gen Z college student and peer financial counselor, I’ve had many conversations about money that reveal just how unique and urgent our generation’s financial and economic concerns are. Financial literacy isn’t just important for us, it’s essential. And yet, talking about money isn’t always easy. That’s where we... Read More >
Maria Pippidis & Jesse Ketterman
In 2020, a team of Cooperative Extension Family Finance Educators came together to discuss Farm Family Finances. We set out to determine what resources farm families need when managing personal finances. Our work began with conducting interviews with farmers and farm service providers. Farm families are unique for so many... Read More >
Katie Ubelhor
If you’ve worked in financial counseling — especially in private practice — you know how rewarding and challenging, it can be. Each client brings their own story, beliefs, and sometimes emotional baggage. In private practice, these complexities impact not just our client relationships, but also the stability and reputation of... Read More >
Cynthia Hudson, AFC® Candidate
Morgan Housel’s 2020 book, the Psychology of Money, is unlike most financial books you’ll pick up. This book is equally empowering for clients and professionals: For clients to gain insights into their relationships with money and for professionals as we support our clients in respectful, productive and effective ways. It... Read More >
Axton Betz-Hamilton, PhD, AFC®, CRPC™, AWMA®
Many AFCPE members are familiar with Money Habitudes, which is a tool that consists of 54 items that assess one’s relative dominance across six behavioral-attitudinal domains: status, planning, spontaneous, security, giving, and carefree. Money Habitudes can be purchased as a physical deck of cards that have one statement per card... Read More >
Catherine Walker O’Neal, Mallory Lucier-Greer, and Rachel Maureen Okamoto
This study focused on U.S. military service members to gain insight into a demographic that tends to reach financial autonomy and independence ahead of similarly aged peers. The authors were interested in understanding how family financial socialization (FFS) processes and its connection to future financial capability may differ by demographics.... Read More >
Shari Evans, AFC, MQFP
Parents and Caregivers, as I pondered what I would share for this summer article of the AFCPE Kids Corner, I decided to share a page out of my recent “kids personal financial literacy playbook”. Recently, with our military move from the West Coast to the East Coast, I intentionally exposed... Read More >
Mark Munzenberger, AFCPE Government Relations Task Force
Many members of the AFCPE community are familiar with the non-profit organization based in Denver - the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE). At its core, NEFE champions effective financial education. NEFE is an independent, centralizing voice providing leadership, research and collaboration to advance financial well-being for all. Their website... Read More >
Karina Pribil-Corbett
What a year 2025 has been for consumer protection—and not in a good way. With the declawing of the CFPB and the repeal of the Overdraft Rule, financial counselors are left asking: What protections are still in place for the people we serve? In this guide, the AFC Government Relations... Read More >
Rachael DeLeon
Every April, during Financial Literacy Month, I attend the Jump$tart Coalition’s Partner Meeting in Washington, DC. The annual event unites individuals and organizations around a common mission, bringing together a community that is passionate about innovating, collaborating, and advocating for financial literacy. During the morning session, two presenters spoke to... Read More >