Blog

Yes, I know we just celebrated 2015 Holidays, but this is a great time to think about what went well, what didn’t, and how to make changes so that our 2016 Holiday can be successful without breaking the bank. While you are sifting through those holiday receipts and credit card...

February 01, 2016

Erica Tobe, an Extension Specialist and fixed-term Assistant Professor at Michigan State University (MSU), is passionate about helping to identify the social and economic needs of families. This passion is evident throughout many of her current initiatives, but especially in her current project, Starting over after Foreclosure, an online self-paced course...

January 27, 2016

Just as there are traffic laws to keep cars safe on the road and road signs for clear communication, there are also financial laws which, when followed, will keep financial and relationship patterns open and flowing in a consistent, predictable pattern. But, breaking a financial law may mean getting blindsided,...

January 06, 2016

Dear AFCPE Members and Stakeholders, As my Board Presidency draws to a close, I cannot help but reflect on the progress we have made as an organization. When I attended my very first conference as a graduate student in 1998, I remember feeling inspired and awestruck by my esteemed colleagues...

December 22, 2015

The particular irony of working as a financial counselor is that we often come across people who have a critical need for our services, but cannot afford them (because they need financial counseling). While we may be able to donate our services occasionally, it is not something most of us...

December 17, 2015

Families with college aspirations for their kids are erroneously relying on the dream of sports scholarships instead of the challenging work of savings. The practice of saving is very tough.  A study by the Pew Charitable Trust reveals a third of all adults are not saving at all!  It is no surprise...

December 15, 2015

Most parents desire their teenagers to be a wealth of financial savvy - saving crazily and spending wisely. However, the reality is that at this point in their lives, our teenagers may not hold the same affinity to become financially stable adults.My teenager is a case in point. He is...

December 08, 2015

As a Financial Counselor, if you have never gone through the process of grief yourself, then you may find it difficult to know what to say to, or how to work with, a client who is currently grieving. The first step is to understand some of what your client is...

December 04, 2015

One important factor in planning a financial strategy, and a step so often overlooked, is taking a look at the emotions behind the purchase. Emotions are closely linked to financial habits. If you spend time thinking about the philosophy behind your purchases, you will likely find yourself in a better...

December 02, 2015

Money affects all areas of an individual’s life. Issues with money are still a leading factor in divorce. The following tips are essential to every marriage and every budget: If you're not working together, you're working against each other. Creditcards.com conducted an eye opening poll that revealed, "One in 5...

November 23, 2015

Whether working with clients or simply your own family’s budget, one of the first things you need to look at are values. Each person has a set of values. Dictionary.com defines values as: “relative worth, merit, or importance”. Personality, culture, and life experience all affect the creation of our personal and family...

November 04, 2015

"If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." -Benjamin Franklin What is it about that quote that makes planners smile and, well, the rest of us cringe. I am not a person who considers myself a planner... I like to call it 'going with the flow.' However, I have...

November 02, 2015