Latest ACP Blogs

ACP Certified Member Britta Koepf was a featured guest on the NAPFA Nation podcast, where she discusses challenges and solutions for special needs families with host Marie Swift. Key topics include the importance of legacy planning, the use of special needs trusts and ABLE accounts, and the financial advisor’s role as an intermediary between clients and legal professionals. https://napfamindsetmastery. libsyn.com/napfanation/ planning-for-two-retirements- challenges-and-solutions-for- special-needs-families-with- britta-koepf-episode-21-of- napfa-nation
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ACP was mentioned in Liz Weston's column in the Los Angeles Times, in a section titled 'Beware the insurance salesperson in financial planner’s clothing'. ACP was mentioned alongside NAPFA, XYPN, and Garrett Planning Network as good organizations and resources to find planners who are fee only, adhere to the fiduciary standard, and can offer broader financial advice. https://www.latimes.com/ business/story/2024-09-01/ money-talk-a-parent-had-life- insurance-but-the-companies- are-gone-what-to-do
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ACP Certified Member Keith Spencer was quoted in Newsweek in an article on how to potentially get a free honeymoon thanks to credit card rewards, discussing various aspects to consider when opening a new credit card, how people who struggle with debt and overspending should think carefully before opening a credit card, and more. https://www.newsweek.com/how- get-free-honeymoon-according- ex-wall-street-trader-1898274
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ACP Certified Members Thomas Cook and Keith Spencer were quoted in Comparison Adviser in an article titled 'What Is Tax Diversification?', discussing benefits of tax diversification for early retirees, different types of accounts, how diversifying taxes helps you prepare for tax codes changing, and how a financial advisor can help you plan to lower your taxes. They also share common strategies to consider. https://comparisonadviser.com/ investing/what-is-tax- diversification/
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ACP Certified Member Thomas Cook was featured in Financial Planning in an article titled 'The rewards financial advisors find working with niche clients', discussing his niche of working with the pickleball players of Tellico Village, a local retirement community, how it's aided his marketing efforts, and more: "Despite being less than a year into building my firm, the power of a niche is proving to be real. I'm gaining traction much quicker, and more importantly, with the people I want to serve." https://www.financial- planning.com/news/financial- advisors-who-serve-a-unique- niche-find-specialization- rewarding
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ACP Certified Member Thomas Cook was quoted in Comparison Adviser in an article titled 'What Is a Brokerage Account?', discussing how brokerage accounts work, where brokerage accounts fit into a financial plan, and more: "They are one of the most underrated investment accounts because they offer the most flexibility regarding when and what money investors can use." https://comparisonadviser.com/ investing/what-is-a-brokerage- account/
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ACP Certified Members Thomas Cook and Keith Spencer were quoted in Comparison Adviser in an article titled 'What Is Tax Diversification?', discussing benefits of tax diversification for early retirees, different types of accounts, how diversifying taxes helps you prepare for tax codes changing, and how a financial advisor can help you plan to lower your taxes. They also share common strategies to consider. https://comparisonadviser.com/ investing/what-is-tax- diversification/
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ACP Certified Member Ken Robinson wrote this bylined article for Retirement Daily on TheStreet titled 'Beyond Budgeting: The Psychological Trick to Stop Overspending with Credit Cards', where he talks about how paying your balance daily or weekly can curb spending and free you from debt: "As our economy has become increasingly cashless, it’s naturally become easier to spend more automatically and less intentionally. Is it possible to make ourselves think about spending, like when we used dollar bills?" https://www.thestreet.com/ retirement-daily/your-money/ beyond-budgeting-the- psychological-trick-to-stop- overspending-with-credit-cards
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ACP Certified Member Ken Robinson was quoted in CNN Underscored in an article titled '8 asset class investment ideas for 2024', noting that one of the best investments, especially for someone who is a ways away from retirement, is in yourself: "The best investment for someone who is some time away from retirement could well be to focus on enhancing their ability to earn a living. Increasing your value to your employer is something you have at least some control over.” https://www.cnn.com/cnn- underscored/money/best-assets- to-invest-in
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ACP Certified Member Keith Spencer was quoted in Yahoo! Finance in an article titled '5 Reasons To Consider a Roth IRA Conversion Early in Retirement', discussing tax planning, RMDs, and more: "Generally speaking, the primary reason to do a Roth conversion would be if you suspect your current income tax rate will be lower than your future tax rate." https://finance.yahoo.com/ news/5-reasons-consider-roth- ira-125708375.html
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The 2024 ACP Annual Conference was detailed in this news release, published via Businesswire in Yahoo Finance, Marketwatch, Associated Press, and more, highlighting the dates, location, keynote presentations, breakout sessions, sponsors, hotel information, registration information, and media opportunities, in addition to highlights, videos, and a podcast episode from the 2023 ACP Annual Conference. https://www.businesswire.com/ news/home/20240612421026/en/ Alliance-of-Comprehensive- Planners-ACP-Shares-Details- on-2024-Annual-Conference
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ACP Certified Member Ken Robinson was quoted in MarketWatch in an article titled 'I’m 71 and own rental homes in California worth millions. But my wife and I recently moved to North Carolina and want a ‘simpler life.’ Who can help us?'. Ken provides tips and options on selling the properties, insights on capital gains taxes, and more. https://www.marketwatch.com/ picks/im-71-and-own-rental- homes-in-california-worth- millions-but-my-wife-and-i- recently-moved-to-north- carolina-and-want-a-simpler- life-who-can-help-us-2ec3ff22
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ACP Certified Member Ken Robinson was quoted in MarketWatch in an article titled 'If you aren’t ‘loud budgeting,’ are you even budgeting right? TikTok has thoughts — but so do money pros'. Ken notes: "The idea of loud budgeting emphasizes the importance of spending with intention, which is the opposite of mindless spending. To me, that’s where the value is." https://www.marketwatch.com/ picks/if-you-arent-loud- budgeting-are-you-even- budgeting-right-tiktok-has- thoughts-but-so-do-money-pros- 074bc6ac
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ACP Certified Member Ken Robinson was quoted in MarketWatch in an article titled 'Are you still paying 1% to your financial adviser?'. Ken notes that while a 1% fee may be common, that many advisors are scaling down. However, he also points out that if the 1% fee gets you a lot of great services, that it can be highly worth it. https://www.marketwatch.com/ picks/are-you-still-paying-1- to-your-financial-adviser- heres-what-might-make-a-lot- more-sense-and-save-you-tens- of-thousands-of-dollars- 01659470645
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ACP Certified Member Keith Spencer was quoted in Comparison Adviser in an article titled 'Short-Term Investments: What to Know', discussing reasons and benefits of investing in short-term securities, which can provide safety while still allowing the money to be put to work in the meantime. https://comparisonadviser.com/ investing/short-term- investments/
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ACP Certified Member Elizabeth Buffardi was quoted in GOBankingRates in an article titled 'I Just Retired: Here Are the Unexpected Expenses I Wish I’d Prepared For', highlighting child care expenses and financial advisor fees. She also discusses the importance of considering lifestyle expectations when planning for retirement expenses. https://www.gobankingrates. com/retirement/planning/i- just-retired-unexpected- expenses-wish-prepared-for/
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ACP Certified Member Keith Spencer was quoted in ConsumerAffairs in an article titled 'Financial experts suggest where to park your extra cash', discussing where to store extra funds if you're going to need them within a year. https://www.consumeraffairs. com/news/financial-experts- suggest-where-to-park-your- extra-cash-050724.html
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ACP Certified Member Elizabeth Buffardi was quoted in ComparisonAdviser in an article titled 'Required Minimum Distributions: What to Know', discussing the impact on retirement planning, as well as Roth conversions as another strategy to take advantage of. https://comparisonadviser.com/ retirement/required-minimum- distributions/
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ACP Certified Member Ken Robinson was quoted in Financial Advisor Magazine in an article titled 'Tricks And Methods Advisors Use To Create Realistic Retirement Budgets', suggesting that it may be more prudent to look at expenses annually rather than monthly: “No one spends the exact same amount every month. Everyone should take into account the circumstances that make their retirement unique.” https://www.fa-mag.com/news/ retirement-budgeting-77814. html
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ACP Certified Member Ken Robinson was quoted in MarketWatch in an article titled '‘Should I live under a bridge?’ I get $5,600 a month in Social Security retirement income, but my property taxes will soon be $20,000. Who can help?'. Ken weighs in on possible solutions, suggesting a reverse mortgage as a potential solution, and also addresses if they are a good candidate to work with a financial advisor. https://www.marketwatch.com/ amp/picks/should-i-live-under- a-bridge-i-get-5-600-a-month- in-social-security-retirement- income-but-my-property-taxes- will-soon-be-20-000-who-can- help-92dee1d9
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