Family

By Bridget Handke, CFP^®, CAP^®

I was one of those moms who insisted her kids do chores. Not just 5 minutes worth but a number of regular daily chores. We did this to develop of a sense of belonging and to learn responsibility.  Another reason was I didn’t want them to see Mom and Dad always working while they loafed around the house. If adulthood was that drab, why would they ever want to grow up?

Bridget Handke, a Birchwood Financial Advisor, was recently quoted in an article on Discover.com titled, "3 Life Events That Require Family Financial Planning."

On helping your child after college:

By Bridget Handke, CFP^® CAP^®

Is college worth it?  A few years after baby boomers finished college beginning in the 90s, the cost of education started rising higher than the costs of other goods and services¹. Now, as we are trying to secure education for our own children, we are faced with mind-boggling expenses.  The average cost of tuition and fees at a private non-profit, four-year school for 2015 was $31,231¹. Ivy League schools almost double that. At the University of Minnesota, the bill for our daughter this year will come in just over $25,000 for expenses including tuition, fees, room and board.

By Damian Winther, CFP®

My wife and I find that it’s getting harder and harder to travel with our four children. Not only because of school, sports schedules and all of the arrangements that need to be made ahead of time for families with small children, but also because of the high costs involved.

My wife and I have come up with some great ideas that we try and follow when we travel, in hopes that families in similar situations can make their travel more enjoyable (not to mention affordable)!

By Damian Winther, CFP®

As a Financial Advisor, talking about money, finances and cash flow with clients is a normal every day occurrence. One of the most common questions I’ve been asked by clients has been “How can I talk to my children or grandchildren about money?” and “How can I teach my children about the value of saving?”  As the father of four young girls, clients’ eyes invariably lock directly on mine when asking questions like these.