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The Truth Behind College Rankings
U.S. News & World Report recently released their annual rankings. Many schools are quick to reference these in their marketing to...
Mike Bink
Sep 16, 20223 min read


9 Steps to Take in the 10 Years Before Retirement
The 10 years leading up to retirement is a crucial time to determine whether or not you will be able to retire successfully and on time....
Mike Bink
Apr 30, 20224 min read


Understanding Your Award Letter
Now is the time of year when families are eagerly watching their mailboxes for their student's financial aid award letters. They have...
Mike Bink
Mar 4, 20225 min read


Understanding Recent Market Volatility
It’s been a bumpy ride for investors so far in 2022. The Morningstar U.S. Market index was down about 7% for the year to date through...
Mike Bink
Feb 19, 20224 min read


Understanding Your FAFSA Results
Have you received your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results yet? You should hear back within a week or two of filing,...
Mike Bink
Feb 4, 20223 min read


5 Reasons to Have Your Student Take the ACT or SAT
Covid-19 has had a significant impact on college admissions. Many schools have now gone to being “test-optional,” which means students...
Mike Bink
Jan 21, 20224 min read


Year-end financial checklist
As the year wraps up, it’s natural to think about your goals — professionally, personally, and financially. It’s something that you and...
Mike Bink
Nov 28, 20215 min read


4 Steps to Finding More Scholarships
It's getting harder and harder for families to cover the cost of college today, but families can make the cost more manageable by...
Mike Bink
Nov 13, 20214 min read


What happens if you die without a will?
There are a number of misconceptions about estate planning. For instance, many people think you need to be ultra-wealthy to create an...
Mike Bink
Oct 15, 20214 min read


The Paradox of Financial Aid
The Oxford Dictionary defines “paradox” in part as “a statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from...
Mike Bink
Sep 24, 20213 min read


Employees may be losing out on $700K in ‘forgotten’ 401(k)s
Out of sight out of mind — that’s how employees have been taught to view their retirement savings accounts. Which isn’t a problem, until...
Mike Bink
Sep 11, 20213 min read


Using Work Study to Help Pay for College
Paying for college hasn't always been as complex as it is today, and the financial burden to families used to be much less than it is...
Mike Bink
Sep 4, 20213 min read


Are there Income Cutoffs for Financial Aid?
One of the most common questions we get from parents, is whether or not it's worthwhile for them to file the Free Application for Federal...
Mike Bink
Aug 28, 20212 min read


529 Accounts and Tax Deductions for K-12 Expenses
Contributions to a 529 plan are made with after-tax dollars, and therefore are not tax deductible at the federal level. However, some...
Mike Bink
Jul 30, 20213 min read


How Does a Gap Year Affect Financial Aid?
A gap year is a period of time when a student suspends schooling in order to explore the world through work, volunteering, and/or travel....
Mike Bink
Jul 23, 20214 min read


Target Date Funds - Friend or Foe?
Target date funds, or TDF's for short, are a popular investments for workplace retirement plans like 401k's. They give an investor the...
Mike Bink
Jun 30, 20213 min read


3 Ways Students Can Help Pay for College
With the price tag of a college education reaching higher levels every year, students will have a hard time shouldering the entire cost...
Mike Bink
Jun 4, 20214 min read


6 Steps to Protect Your Retirement
Nervous about your retirement planning? You're not alone. Americans' retirement planning is in a crisis. The crux of the problem is...
Mike Bink
May 22, 20214 min read


3 Tips to Avoid Heartbreak When Shopping for College
Taking college visits with your student is one of the most memorable and exciting parts of the college planning process. However, every...
Mike Bink
May 13, 20214 min read


6 Common Retirement Mistakes to Avoid
Saving for retirement can be confusing. It’s no surprise we make mistakes along the way. Here are the most common retirement mistakes...
Mike Bink
May 1, 20213 min read
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