5 Helpful Financial Planning Resources
To maintain lasting well-being and success, it's important to stay on top of your finances and prepare for the future. Economics is challenging enough as it is, which is why many resources exist to make its processes easier to navigate. The ones included here cover a wide range of fiscal topics, with the aim of assisting both consumers and advisors. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
5 Resources For Managing Your Finances
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Workable Wealth | Provides financial education and empowerment to those in their 20s – 50s |
| The Financial Therapy Association | An organization comprised of professionals dedicated to the integration of cognitive, emotional, behavioral, relational, and financial aspects of well-being |
| Kitces | Run by financial advisor Michael Kitces, it shares online research, resources, and education for advisors and consumers |
| Student Loan Planner | Creates custom student loan plans that detail the path to debt freedom, and connects clients with private lenders to refinance loans at a lower interest rate |
| Life Planning Partners | A financial management firm that helps clients organize and optimize their resources for today and the future |
The Psychology of Money-Saving
Quick Tips for Being Frugal
- Make a budget and plan expenses in advance
- Keep track of your daily spending habits
- Reduce your usage of water and electricity
- Maintain an emergency fund
- Save up by storing money in an adult piggy bank
- Cancel services you no longer use
- Think of prudent alternatives, e.g., cooking instead of eating out, or making a gift instead of purchasing one
What to Know to Get Your Student Loans Forgiven
In Depth
Financial planning can be a difficult endeavor to take on for the average person. Fortunately, many resources are available online for those looking to improve their own economic security or become a planner themselves, in order to help others. Whether it's for refinancing a student loan, or for insights from successful advisors, consider the resources listed here in no particular order.
First up at #1, we have Workable Wealth, a financial education empowerment platform for those below the age of retirement, founded by Mary Beth Storjohann. Workable Wealth seeks to help people make smart, educated choices with their money by partnering them with certified financial professionals who align with their communication needs.
Storjohann has also authored the personal finance book, Work Your Wealth, with the intent to make money relatable, and break down specific steps along the way to provide readers with economic confidence and clarity. Storjohann also hosts the Work Your Wealth podcast, which features expert interviews with leading authors, business owners, and professionals on a weekly basis.
Storjohann also hosts the Work Your Wealth podcast, which features expert interviews with leading authors, business owners, and professionals on a weekly basis.
Next up at #2, is The Financial Therapy Association, or FTA, an organization comprised of professionals dedicated to the integration of the emotional and economic aspects of well-being. The FTA strives to provide leading research-based education with resources like the Journal of Financial Therapy, or JFT, as well as regular webinars.
For consumers in need of a financial therapist, one can search the FTA's database. Additionally, those who wish to help others can work toward becoming a Certified Financial Therapist, or CFT. This designation is a professional certification for individuals who meet specific requirements. The FTA provides an online self-study program for all three levels of CFT certification.
Coming in at #3, we have Kitces, which seeks to advance financial planning by providing an online source of research, resources, and education for advisors and consumers. Founder Michael Kitces began creating content to share his financial knowledge with as many people as possible. In addition to his blog, he produces multiple podcasts, and his content reaches more people as time goes on.
Founder Michael Kitces began creating content to share his financial knowledge with as many people as possible.
Kitces hosts the Financial Advisor Success podcast, which features interviews with leading advisors, management tips, and a behind-the-scenes look at how the best advisory firms are built and run. Additionally, he offers resources such as reading lists, conference highlights, and the top financial blogs for those interested in furthering their education.
Arriving at #4 is Student Loan Planner, founded by Travis Hornsby after helping his wife and her friends figure out their six-figure loans. A former bond trader, Hornsby took his spreadsheet skills and built models for how to save money paying back their debt. Having found success, he decided to start his own business and has consulted on nearly $1 billion in student debt.
Student Loan Planner offers the services of debt refinancing and repayment. In addition, those looking for more information about the current economic landscape can find regularly updated blog posts from financial professionals. Hornsby also hosts the weekly Student Loan Planner podcast, where he shares tips on loan forgiveness, debt, and achieving financial freedom.
Hornsby also hosts the weekly Student Loan Planner podcast, where he shares tips on loan forgiveness, debt, and achieving financial freedom.
Finally at #5, we have Life Planning Partners, or LPP, a financial management firm with an investment philosophy that centers around a holistic approach that addresses one's physical health along with economics. Founded by Carolyn McClanahan, a physician who decided to become a certified financial planner after her own frustrations with the industry, LPP was started to provide the services she found lacking.
LPP also has a plethora of media resources available on its website. The LPP Newsletter is available to all who subscribe, as is an archive of past issues. Those interested in a financial planner can review the What to Bring document, which gives an overview of the necessary information needed to get started.
