Blog
Financial Stress: Encouraging Students to Seek Help
According to the 2014 National Student Financial Wellness Study, a staggering 70% of college students are stressed about finances. This statistic is concerning on many levels. Research shows that financial stress is a strong factor in academic failure, can lead to health issues and is associated with negative financial behaviors.With more college campuses developing financial...
April 25, 2016
Read More >Understanding Saving Behavior
The study of human behavior is fascinating. Why do two people in seemingly identical situations often make such different choices? What differentiates successful savers from those who are not? Furthermore, what can financial planners, counselors, and educators do to encourage savings behaviors and better support clients in their efforts to put...
April 18, 2016
Read More >The Health-Wealth Connection
Financial fitness. Financial health. These terms are widespread in personal finance conversation, publication and even in financial practice promotion. As consumers, we understand the terms health and fitness. We know that eating well and exercising are important steps to physical well-being, just as we know that effective spending and saving...
April 11, 2016
Read More >A Financial Literacy Month Challenge: Don’t Forget to Eat Your Vegetables!
Attendees of last year’s symposium, left feeling inspired. Inspired to build upon the professional relationships they made. Inspired to put acquired knowledge into immediate action. Inspired to share new ideas with professional friends, clients and colleagues. But perhaps one of the most unexpected results from the event, was a new...
April 06, 2016
Read More >Why Financial Fitness Coaching? In A Word: Empowerment.
Sometimes a legitimate quest for information can lead down unexpected paths. When AFCPE® first announced the Financial Fitness Coach certification in partnership with Sage Financial Solutions, I was curious. I didn’t know what the certification entailed, why I would need it, or even why AFCPE had decided to offer Financial Fitness Coach training....
March 09, 2016
Read More >The Fiduciary Rule: Already the Standard
Over the past ten years, there has been increasing focus placed on financial capability to address the increasing personal debt levels and the overall financial well-being of Americans. It is more important than ever that consumers understand their options, the financial services profession, and who is best equipped to serve...
March 03, 2016
Read More >The Power of Financial Counseling & Education
As America Saves & Military Saves Week come to an end, we share a story that reminds us of the power of financial counseling and education. Recently, a soon-to-retire service member came to my office after attending one of my financial education workshops. He wanted to tell me about the...
February 27, 2016
Read More >AFCPE® Membership Spotlight: Kira Dentes, AFC®
Kira Dentes was introduced to AFCPE® just three years ago, when she applied and was awarded a 2013 FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship. Now an active member of the organization, she continues to make a lasting impact both in the organization and the field. The newly graduated AFC® shares more about her...
February 26, 2016
Read More >Savings Success Begins with Remembering Your ‘Why’
Common wisdom is to pay down high interest debt before saving. I mean, it makes sense right? If you are saving in an account that pays less than 1% and the interest being charged on your outstanding debt is higher you are, in effect, hemorrhaging cash. I picture it like...
February 25, 2016
Read More >Taking the First Step to Savings Success
In May 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) launched its Financial Coaching Initiative, targeting recently-transitioned veterans and economically vulnerable consumers to help them with their financial goals. The program places 60 certified financial coaches at organizations around the country to provide individualized educational services.A client shares her story about working...
February 24, 2016
Read More >Loose Change: An Unexpected Path to Savings Success
Forgotten Money Turns to SavingsWhether a jar, a tray or a drawer, we all have a place where our loose change accumulates. Just sitting in these forgotten places, our loose change grows, but it earns no compound interest and gets us no closer to reaching our goals. This forgotten money...
February 23, 2016
Read More >Find Savings Success by Rising to the Challenge
“Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day-in and day out”Today marks the beginning of America Saves Week 2016. Since 2007, this week has provided an opportunity for organizations to promote good savings behavior and a chance for individuals to assess their own saving status. This week, we invite you to...
February 22, 2016
Read More >