Taking Advantage of the New Student Loan Freeze
January 3, 2022  | By David Lowe

The Biden administration has announced it is extending the pause on federal student loan payments until May 1, 2022. If you have federal student loans, how can you take advantage of this relief measure? Add to your emergency fund. It is essential…Read More

Planning to Use 529 Funds? Read This.
September 14, 2021  | By Manisha Gupta

By Manisha Gupta, AWM Financial Planning Lead & Candidate for CFP® certification Investing in a 529 plan can be an effective and easy way to save for college, but when it comes time to spend those funds, there are some important nuances…Read More

Talking Money with New Graduates
August 6, 2021  | By Manisha Gupta

By Manisha Gupta, AWM Financial Planning Lead & Candidate for CFP® certification Summer is an exciting time for freshly minted graduates embarking on their own. Finally, the moment that you have been waiting for is here. Your child is going…Read More

What the heck is a 529 plan? Here you go…
August 28, 2020  | By Kevin Smith

What is a 529 plan? A 529 is a tax-advantaged education savings account that allows money to be saved and invested for a beneficiary, typically your child or grandchild. The earnings grow on a tax-deferred basis, and funds can be…Read More

Interest Rate Decline on Federal Student Loans
July 25, 2016  | By Kevin Smith

New student loans issued by the federal government will cost students less. More info here

3 BIG Financial Considerations to Having Children
June 23, 2016  | By Kevin Smith

By:  Jonathan McQuade, CFP® Okay, okay.  Deciding to have children is not often based on the idea of a positive economic outcome for parents.  As the father of two young children, my colleagues like to remind me of the average…Read More

When do I need to submit college financial aid forms?
January 13, 2015  | By Kevin Smith

It depends on the form you’re filling out and whether your child is a new college student or a returning student. College deadlines for the federal government’s financial aid form, the FAFSA, might be anywhere from February 1 to April…Read More

How can college students save and spend money wisely?
December 12, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

College is a pivotal time in a young adult’s life. Students gain a sense of independence that is accompanied by responsibility–especially when it comes to finances. If you’re a new college student, it can be overwhelming to figure out how…Read More

Some Things to Consider about Gifts to Children
September 3, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

If you make significant gifts to your children or someone else’s children, or if someone else makes gifts to your children, there are a number of things for you to consider. Transfers that are not taxable gifts There are a…Read More

Expansion of Pay As You Earn Program for Student Loans
June 18, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, outstanding student loan debt climbed by $114 billion in 2013, reaching $1.08 trillion at the end of the year (Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Quarterly Report on Household Debt and…Read More