Tim Steffen, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA®’s Post

The fall issue of Baird Digest is here! This issue discusses 2023 year-end planning, including charitable giving and taxes, as well as the intersection of health and wealth by John Taft, and Strategas provides an election preview. Check it out at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gbkGzmd4

Excited to boost your grandchild's college fund? The FAFSA Simplification Act now empowers grandparents even more. Past restrictions on 529 college savings plans have been lifted. Learn all about these changes and how you can support your grandchild's education in this week's blog. 🎓✨ #FAFSAChanges #GrandparentsSupport #ReadNow

Did you know grandparents, aunts, and uncles can contribute to a child's 529 plan? It's a fantastic way to involve the whole family in supporting higher education. Explore the benefits of a 529 plan and start a collaborative college fund! #CollegeInvestment #529Plan #FamilySupport #WillowbranchFinancial

❤️this Craig A. Robinson, MBA We need more of this in the early stages of children’s lives. Fun way to learn 🤓 #financeeducation #financialliteracyforkids #financialliteracy #personalfinance #childrensbooks #savingstips #savingmoney #investing101

As we all know, college requires a hefty investment for most families... According to the nonprofit College Board, the average cost for a SINGLE year at a four-year public college/university in the U.S. for 2019-2020, including fees and room and board is seen here. These eye-opening costs have caused most parents to take a fresh look at the strategies they use to help pay college bills. With that being said, I wanted to share some different college funding strategies I've used with clients in the past: • Starting a 529 Plan • Putting Money into Eligible Savings Bonds • Opening a Coverdell Education Savings Acct • Starting a Roth IRA for College • Putting Money into a Custodial Acct Unfortunately, one particular strategy doesn't outweigh the others and they all depend on your financial goals and timeline! But just as with all things related to investing... starting sooner is better than later! If you want to learn more about education funding, 529 plans, or any other strategies I've listed here, feel free to give us a call! I'm always happy to help!

As we all know, college requires a hefty investment for most families... According to the nonprofit College Board, the average cost for a SINGLE year at a four-year public college/university in the U.S. for 2019-2020, including fees and room and board is seen here. These eye-opening costs have caused most parents to take a fresh look at the strategies they use to help pay college bills. With that being said, I wanted to share some different college funding strategies I've used with clients in the past: • Starting a 529 Plan • Putting Money into Eligible Savings Bonds • Opening a Coverdell Education Savings Acct • Starting a Roth IRA for College • Putting Money into a Custodial Acct Unfortunately, one particular strategy doesn't outweigh the others and they all depend on your financial goals and timeline! But just as with all things related to investing... starting sooner is better than later! If you want to learn more about education funding, 529 plans, or any other strategies I've listed here, feel free to give us a call! I'm always happy to help!

As we all know, college requires a hefty investment for most families... According to the nonprofit College Board, the average cost for a SINGLE year at a four-year public college/university in the U.S. for 2019-2020, including fees and room and board is seen here. These eye-opening costs have caused most parents to take a fresh look at the strategies they use to help pay college bills. With that being said, I wanted to share some different college funding strategies I've used with clients in the past: • Starting a 529 Plan • Putting Money into Eligible Savings Bonds • Opening a Coverdell Education Savings Acct • Starting a Roth IRA for College • Putting Money into a Custodial Acct Unfortunately, one particular strategy doesn't outweigh the others and they all depend on your financial goals and timeline! But just as with all things related to investing... starting sooner is better than later! If you want to learn more about education funding, 529 plans, or any other strategies I've listed here, feel free to give us a call! I'm always happy to help!

I am proud and excited to finally share that the next installment of the Bull & Bear series is now on shelves! “Bull & Bear Learn Piggy Banks’ Golden Rule” looks into other aspects of personal finance beyond investing. In this book, we introduce topics like earning, spending, saving, and giving to charity. Like the first book, “Bull & Bear Race at the Big Board,” the new book also includes two pages of glossary terms to help young readers (and adults) distill down complex financial concepts into bite-sized lessons to continue exploring even after "the end." It has always been (and continues to be) my mission to provide kids and families with fun, educational resources, and financial tools that establish a foundation of wealth well-being for future generations. Wealth is so much more than the money in the bank, and through early childhood financial literacy and education, I believe we can empower our children to manage money confidently as they grow. I, too, am humbled by this entire process. While I may know money… I am exploring uncharted territory with children’s books, and I would be lying if I said it was easy. There have been many starts and stops along the way. Times I’ve lost confidence, gotten frustrated by roadblocks, and felt overwhelmed by the vast possibilities of creating a publishing company. Still, I always believed in myself and knew the risk would be worth the reward. I hope this is something my girls see as they’ve watched the process unfold (again) over the past year. Grit and determination can take us places we never imagined, and in this story, even the characters teach that lesson. I hope you’ll support my endeavor and teach children in your life the power of financial literacy through the Bull & Bear series. You can buy “Bull & Bear Learn Piggy Banks' Golden Rule” on www.nolyne.com and all major online book retailers (bookshop.org, amazon, etc.). Haven’t gotten your hands on “Bull & Bear Race at the Big Board” yet? Buy the bundle on Nolyne.com. For all purchases made on Nolyne.com for December and January, you’ll receive a signed copy from yours truly and taking the sage advice from Piggy Banks of giving to charity, 10% of all books sales will go to non-profits who support financial literacy and education. Thank you all for the support, encouragement, and positivity. This has been a labor of love that I honestly couldn’t have done without such an incredible network of friends, colleagues, and, of course, my family. #financeeducation #financialliteracyforkids #financialliteracy #personalfinance #childrensbooks #savingstips #savingmoney #investing101

Don't Wait to Invest in Your Child's Future Meet Lisa, a devoted mother who dreams of seeing her son, Alex, pursue his passion for engineering at a prestigious university. With only 12 years until Alex starts college, Lisa understood that early planning was crucial to achieving their goal of saving $150,000 for his education. Lisa discovered that, according to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2023-2024 school year was $41,540 at private nonprofit four-year institutions, $11,260 for in-state students at public four-year institutions, and $29,150 for out-of-state students at public four-year institutions. With these costs expected to rise yearly, Lisa knew she had to start saving immediately. She began by setting up a budget, cutting unnecessary expenses, and opening a 529 savings plan. Lisa also sought advice from a financial planner to ensure she was on the right track. Her proactive approach brought her peace of mind and inspired her friends and family to start their college savings plans. The future comes faster than we think. Start your college savings plan today to ensure your children can pursue their dreams without financial stress. Contact me to create a tailored savings strategy that fits your goals and timeline. Don’t delay—let’s secure their future together! - (https://lnkd.in/g7D3xAmd)

My latest for Barron's, about how 529 plans can be used to help fund education, and not just for the middle class! 🎓 Thanks Jill Jagelski Schofield for the pitch. #highered #education #educationfunding #529plans #wealthmanagement