education planning

By Ann D. Blakey, CFP®

Before your beautiful new baby turns 18, you will have spent nearly $233,610 on child-related costs.[1] It’s worth every penny, of course, but the last thing you want to worry about is how you are going to afford all this! The good news is, there are simple steps you can take now to financially prepare yourself. Acting on these steps even before your baby arrives (if possible) means you can spend more time basking in newborn bliss and less time worrying about your finances.

By The CFP® Team at Washington Wealth Advisors

Can you believe it is already February? How are your 2021 New Year’s resolutions going? If they’re already a thing of the past, not to worry. We’ve created a financial to-do list to help you get your financial life on track in 2021.

January and February: Review Your Situation and Investments

After a year like 2020, it’s probably time for a solid financial checkup. Write down the answers to questions such as:

We welcome May 29th as a day to recognize the popular and powerful 529 Plan as a tool in your education savings toolbox.  It's named for Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code which establishes one of the best ways for you to save for your family's education needs.

If you or someone you know would like to gain a better understanding of the 529 Plan benefits, review your overall education savings plan or like to get started with one, please connect with us. 

Enjoy your 5-2-9 Day!

By Maura C. Schauss, CFP®

There are 135 different certifications for financial advisors, and most of them begin with the letter “C”: CFPs, ChFCs, CPAs, CLUs, CFSs, and the list goes on. With an alphabet soup of certifications, how do you find a financial professional who’s right for you?

According to a recent survey, most high-income households want their advisors to have these qualifications:[1]

By Todd Youngdahl, CFP®

Congratulations! Your baby is graduating from high school and stepping into adulthood.  For your family, that may mean off to college!

You have been saving into your 529 Plan for years in preparation for this life chapter, and the time has finally come. So, how do you actually use the 529 Plan that you have so diligently grown? Let's take a look.

By Maura Schauss, CFP® 

Have you heard? Right now, Americans owe over $1.5 trillion in student debt.[1] Studies have found that this debt burden is not only preventing young people from financial moves like saving for retirement or buying a home or car, but it is causing them to delay marriage, parenthood, and entrepreneurship as well.[2]

By Maura C. Schauss, CFP®

In the news, the word “fiduciary” has been thrown around a lot in regards to financial advisors and their duties. The concept can seem confusing to people, as many assume that all advisors, whether they’re stockbrokers or financial planners, are required to act in their client’s best interest. But that’s not the reality. It’s important to understand the distinction between different types of advisors’ roles and what it means for you and your money.

Do you ever wish your financial life could be more streamlined and organized? There are so many pieces of the financial pie that things can get complicated, or, even worse, fall through the cracks. Creating customized investment and wealth management solutions requires a significant amount of coordination. What if we told you there was a seamless way to make this coordination happen so you could have peace of mind and focus on living your life?

By Maura C. Schauss, CFP

Imagine laying out all of your bills, investment account statements, insurance policies, and loans on your kitchen table and trying to make sense of them all. Pretty overwhelming, isn’t it? Getting your financial strategies and investments in place is critical, but sometimes the organizational aspects are overlooked. Here are five tips to get your financial house in order today.