Joni Mitchell wrote the famous song "Both Sides Now" after being inspired by a passage from the novel Henderson the Rain King" about being on a plane looking down on the clouds. There are so many examples in life where we see things from our perspective and yet others see the same things from a different perspective. I have just returned from Africa on a … [Read more...]
Federal Loan rates for College going up
May 12, 2017 by
The federal student loan rates change each year on July 1st. For any student considering taking Federal Direct Student Loans for the coming academic year, your rates are about to go up to 4.45% for any new disbursements after July 1st (Current rate is 3.81%) These rates encompass various loans from the Fed Direct unsubsidized loans (interest accrues … [Read more...]
Vital lessons for our kids about money
March 24, 2017 by
"Kids who have the freedom to manage their own money seem to have better money behaviors and are more truthful with their parents about how their money was spent." Being a parent is tough in many senses. Things that our kids learn early are often the things that influence them the most. When to be tough, when to be soft. When to help and when to let … [Read more...]
What Sully and Golf clubs could teach us about finances?
March 1, 2017 by
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...]
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...]
Giraffe, Finances and the Circle of Life
October 31, 2016 by
For many years I have taken teams of people to South Africa to do work among those less fortunate than most of us. This last month I was reminded once again that we often think we are going to faraway places to give of ourselves and our resources, but we end up receiving life altering insights and gifts as we connect with those in need and recognize our common … [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...]
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