As a financial advisor I often use the analogy of a golfer when we talk about what financial products we should use. According to the USGA, a golfer is allowed to have 14 clubs in his bag. There are the standard 12 clubs in many golf bags. If the golfer starts with a number of clubs in his bag less than 14, he can add to the number of clubs until he reaches … [Read more...]
Trust in Relationships
February 20, 2017 by
Mike Adams from "Living My Purpose" who runs one of the Strengths Assessments that we do for our clients sent this out and I thought it might be appropriate to share. Mike can be contacted at mike@livingmypurpose.com Whether it be for my clients at College Planning America, our families at home, our co-workers or friends, it could be really important to think … [Read more...]
6 Things to Think About When Creating a Will
February 8, 2017 by
This piece was written for legalzoom by Michelle Fabie Esq - a freelance writer and I found it had pretty valuable information in a simple format. No matter your age or economic status, creating a will is the single best estate planning action you can take right now. Why? Because having a valid last will and testament helps assure that your wishes regarding … [Read more...]
Impala behind the wall – why we avoid that
November 15, 2016 by
Growing up in Africa, I have been fortunate to have experienced being on safari many times. One of the most common and beautiful animals in Southern Africa is the Impala. Impala’s would be described in America as a type of gazelle that could reach about 3 feet tall and weigh anything from 88 – 168 pounds. In full flight, the impala is just a magnificent … [Read more...]
Really – That’s all I get for COLA?
November 1, 2016 by
The government has just released their numbers for Cost of Living Adjustments for 2017. “Monthly Social Security and SSI benefits for more than 65 million Americans will increase 0.3 percent in 2017” https://www.ssa.gov/news/cola/ There are a number of threats or possible “Holes in the bucket” for retirement that we take into account as we plan for both … [Read more...]
Valuable Money lessons from a Raccoon
July 25, 2016 by
My mother and my grandmother were both amazing gardeners and were extremely knowledgeable about plants and horticulture. [My Mom still is] I just love to get home in the evening and walk around the garden or water the plants. It’s a time of peace for me. Well …….. most times! Having grown up in Africa, my frame of reference was dealing with Lions and … [Read more...]
It’s on now! It’s off now! Which one am I?
June 29, 2016 by
It’s officially summertime now and already the pools and the beaches are filling up. Families often fall into one of two categories as far as any type of planning goes, whether it be Financial Planning or College Planning. Category 1: “Talk to me when the summer is over, we are going on vacation for 3 months” Category 2: “Let’s get something done while … [Read more...]
529 Plans – 6 Vital things I need to know
June 3, 2016 by
529 Plans are financial instruments for College that are neither good nor bad, but have benefits and drawbacks to consider. There might be other financial vehicles available that could have as good if not much better benefits. Here are some things to consider before placing your money into a 529 Plan. The 529 [like a 401k, 403b etc] is an IRS approved … [Read more...]
Do I dare to look today or not?
May 19, 2016 by
We all love looking at our retirement account statements when the market is up, but some people are scared to look at them when the market is down. We are all different – Some folk will check their statements on a daily or weekly basis, and others only when they get their quarterly statements and some only once a year. Do I check my pulse each morning to see … [Read more...]
Our Legacy – It’s not what we leave to our kids
May 7, 2016 by
In my Financial practice I have the privilege of discussing what my clients would like to leave to their kids as a legacy. It's an important discussion for most parents to have and plan for. Growing up on a farm in Africa my mother (who I am not sure ever made it to 4 feet tall – she might one day) had six rambunctious kids who grew up without much money, … [Read more...]
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