Real Money, Real Experts

In this week's episode of Real Money, Real Experts, our hosts speak with Bill Gustafson, who is a professor emeritus in the Personal Financial Planning Department at Texas Tech University. He has been educating students and conducting research related to personal finance for over 36 years and helped to create what we now know as the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education.Bill takes us back to the very first meeting where AFCPE®  was named and dives into the importance of recognizing the human side of finance vs. the business side, and how to best bridge the two in your work. In this episode, we are reminded of the importance of telling the stories about the people that make a difference along the way, and documenting it for future generations to come. Tune in for an inspiring episode into Bill's broad perspective of the finance profession as a whole.Throughout his career he has been honored with Texas Tech’s President's Excellence in Teaching Award; the College of Human Sciences Helen Burleson Service Award; and the Department of Personal Financial Planning Visionary AwardShow notes:2:01 Bill's start in the field3:42 How he got connected to the financial counseling world5:02 Bill and Dr. Jerry Mason8:52 College of Human Sciences and its importance in finance13:23 Diving into the archives project15:45 Bill's final 2 centsShow note links:Texas Tech’s School of Financial PlanningSouthwest Collections at TTURegister for Symposium!Email BillWant to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today! Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

This week on Real Money, Real Experts, we are joined by Dorothy "Dottie" Durband,  who is known to many as the "Godmother of Financial Counseling." Dottie is the associate dean for academics and faculty and a professor of personal financial planning in the College of Human Sciences at Texas Tech University. She's been an Accredited Financial Counselor for over 20 years and is an esteemed member and mentor in both the AFCPE community and the field of finance as a whole. In our 60th episode, Dottie shares her greatest takeaways from the field of personal finance as a whole, including great insights into how she pioneered one of the first major student financial literacy initiatives at Texas Tech titled 'Red to Black'.  Dottie and Mary also chat about The Financial Counseling Archives Project that is currently underway, and how the most influential voices of the finance sector are getting to have their stories told. Tune in for a conversation that'll leave you feeling inspired!Show notes:2:02 How she began her career in personal finance3:24 Consumer Credit Counseling Service4:43 Dottie's student financial literacy initiative @ Texas Tech6:49 How does this program help?8:15 How its inspired other programs9:11 Mentorship advice11:10 Dottie's advice for those entering the finance space12:27 The Financial Counseling Archives Project16:21 What Dottie would tell someone who's considering becoming an AFC18:05 Advising and guiding students 22:39 Dottie's final 2 cents Show Note LinksDottie’s LinkedIn Red to Black programAFC CertificationBecome or Get a MentorTexas Tech University School of Financial PlanningWant to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today! Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

This week on Real Money, Real Experts we catch up with Dr. Michael G. Thomas, Jr., AFC®.  Michael is a lecturer at the University of Georgia, the founder of Modom Financial Solutions, a co-founder of the Financial Behavior Keynote Group, and a member of the AFCPE Board of Directors. Dr. Thomas’ life-long goal is to help underserved communities establish, grow, and sustain their wealth utilizing an intra and inter-family wealth creation process.Michael is a gifted speaker, a natural educator, and a thought leader on the importance of keeping empathy, listening, and compassion at the heart of financial counseling and planning. In this episode, Michael shares how stepping into the role of learner – and really listening to our clients – can make all the difference in helping someone move forward in their financial journey.You’ll also get a sneak peek of his new book, Black Financial Culture: Building Wealth from the Inside Out, available this year. The book is designed to empower people to take bold action, to become lifelong learners, and to understand that they have the capacity to own their financial experience. Show Notes:1:47 What's new with Michael6:18 Financial empathy during COVID-198:13 Why empathy is critical when working in financial services15:14 How to set the tone for your clients by building trust in your community23:21 What we get wrong about listening27:37 Michael shares about his upcoming book, Black Financial Culture: Building Wealth from the Inside Out33:03 How Michael found the AFC and AFCPE40:07 Michael shares his 2 centsShow Note Links:Michael’s coaching company: https://www.modomsolutions.com/Book Michael for an event: https://keynote.financial/michael-g-thomas-jr/Follow & Connect with Michael at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/MoneyandWellness/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModomSolutionsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/modomsolutions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@modomsolutionsWant to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today! Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

Financial planning, financial counseling, and financial therapy are separate but complementary financial services designed to support clients' financial goals and well-being. But how do you know which service you, or your client, needs at any given moment? In this episode, we're joined by two leaders in the financial therapy space, Kristy Archuleta & Sonya Lutter.Kristy and Sonya share their research, knowledge, and experience across financial services to help our listeners answer this question and more. We talk about creating boundaries, knowing limitations, and, most importantly, building a strong referral network in order to best serve our clients.Show Notes: 1:48 Planning vs. counseling vs. therapy6:34 Do you need to be certified to practice Financial Therapy?12:41 All about dual designations15:15 Building a strong referral network 18:31 Into their research and major findings22:21 Where to find their research26:09 Final 2 centsShow Note Links:Financial Therapy Association Become a Financial Therapist or Find a Financial TherapistVideo from Meghan Lurtz on updates for certification in financial therapyConference & connection with the Financial Therapy AssociationWant to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today! Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

This week, we're talking all about student loans with Rita Green, Ed.D. AFC®. Rita is an AFCPE board member and new author of How to Survive a Personal Financial Pandemic. In this episode, we dive straight into the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program and all of its requirements,  how you may be able to take advantage of the waiver by October, and many more insights on all types of student loans.Regardless of whether you're listening for yourself or learning more for your clientele, Rita is a natural educator who provides incredible insights into the world of loans and navigating them during this time. Take a listen, and then take action! Show Notes:1:38 Rita's background story2:29 How Rita discovered the AFC® certification4:05 What is the PSLF program?5:20 Who is considered "public service"?9:08 What if your loans are older and you've been paying them for a while?11:39 Advice for recent graduates 12:56 Resources Rita can share with us16:23 Where to go if your situation is a bit more complicated17:25 Types of student loans20:26 Into Rita's book and surviving a "personal financial pandemic28:22 What the AFC® means to Rita32:52 Rita's final 2 centsShow Note Links:Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)Determine if your employer qualifies for PSLFTemporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness (TEPSLF) Summary of Changes Submit a Request for PSLF ReconsiderationPSLF Help ToolDr. Green’s website & book#AFCPE22 in Orlando, FLStart earning your AFC® or become a Member!Want to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today! Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

This week we are joined by Dr. Kate Mielitz, AFC®. Kate joined the AFCPE staff in 2022 as the Special Programs Manager, but has been an AFC and a passionate member of the AFCPE community for many years. In this episode, Kate gives our listeners a candid look at how she got to where she is today – we love seeing how all the disparate pieces come together to create change and impact.We talk about the importance of offering personal financial planning students the opportunity to earn the AFC, and the value of financial counseling within the personal finance space. Kate addresses the shame that oftentimes exists for people around personal finance, and reminds us of how important it is to share our stories and normalize our mistakes. As an educator, Kate is passionate about meeting people where they are, putting the person first, and teaching them to use money as a tool.Show Notes3:09 Kate shares her story7:57 Kate's transition from Academia to her current role at AFCPE9:46 Registered Education Programs and why personal finance education is critical for college students17:21 Kate's work with incarcerated populations20:45 The value of AFCPE Membership24:49 Why everyone should attend the AFCPE Symposium27:35 Kate's Final Two CentsShow Note LinksFollow Kate on LinkedInFollow Kate on TwitterFollow Kate on TikTokLearn more about the Military Spouse Fellowship#AFCPE22 in Orlando, FLAFCPE Registered Education Programs Start earning your AFC® or become a Member!Want to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today! Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

Download the transcript here.On this week’s episode, Mary and Rachael had the privilege to sit down with Accredited Financial Counselor®, Kumiko Love, more widely known as The Budget Mom. Kumiko is as authentic as they come. She openly shares her own money story, what led her to start The Budget Mom, and what she’s learned along the way. We dig into imposter syndrome, the power of community, the importance of niching down (spoiler alert: one person can’t help everyone), and setting boundaries.Miko offers excellent insights on grassroots marketing and reminds us that the secret to building a thriving business is to lead with your values. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or simply someone who is passionate about helping people with their money to improve their lives, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss.Show Notes1:26 Kumiko's money story6:04 How she used her journey to help others11:30 Kumiko's big Aha! moment15:26 When Kumiko decided to get the AFC®20:23 Her tips for starting your own community25:51 How she finds balance32:56 Miko's final 2 centsShow Note LinksTheBudgetMom.comKumiko's LinkedInMy Money, My Way bookKumiko on Good Morning America#AFCPE22 in Orlando, FLStart earning your AFC® or become a Member!Want to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today! Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

This week on Real Money, Real Experts, Mary and Rachael catch up with longtime AFC® and AFCPE® Member, Mike Wood. Mike shares the story of how the AFC became the standard for Personal Financial Managers (PFM) on military bases across the globe.Mike has the heart of a counselor, and we loved hearing about both the rewarding and challenging aspects of his career. As a pillar of the military personal finance community, Mike shares fond memories from past Symposiums, and offers some great insight for financial counselors working in all areas of our field. “Enjoy the ride!”Show Notes:1:33 What led Mike to initially pursuing the AFC5:28 How the military became involved in deciding to require AFCs9:31 What does the AFC do differently than other designations?10:58 Mike's most exciting memories in the personal finance field13:31 The challenges Mike faced16:20 Mike's advice with setting realistic expectations about your career23:52 Mike's final 2 centsWant to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today! Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

Celebrating 30 years of the AFC® means celebrating the incredible impact it has made over the years! This week we had the pleasure to speak with Sarah Bainton Kahn and Pam Fraser, two women who played instrumental roles in the success of the CFPB’s Financial Coaching Initiative, which ran from 2015 to 2019. The initiative provided financial coaching services to veterans as well as individuals and families in economically vulnerable communities and uniquely set a high standard by requiring that all coaches held both the Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) and the Financial Fitness Coach (FFC®) designations.In our conversation, Sarah and Pam fondly reminisce about the program – sharing the missteps, the successes, and the impact. They talk about the importance of meeting clients where they are, building relationships, and finding your champions. This episode is full of great insight and we hope it will inspire more programs like this one in the years to come.  Show Notes:2:13 How this initiative with CFPB came to be4:55 How this program served the community7:41 Key aspects of the program that made it successful16:59 Learning takeaways and improvements for the program22:04 Advice for organizations looking to use this model25:18 Pam and Sara's final two centsShow Note Links:Email Sarah or Connect on LinkedinEmail Pam or Connect on LinkedinCFPB Report: Read HereCFPB HomepageFFC CertificationAFC certificationGuide to Remote Financial Coaching Submit an Invitation to Present by June 3rd!Want to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today! Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.

Today we kick off our mid-season series focused on the 30th Anniversary of the AFC. In this episode, we had the honor to sit down with Heath Carelock, AFC®. Heath is the Program Director for the Financial Empowerment Center at Prince George’s Community College in Maryland. He was also one of the first AFCs to volunteer for our pro bono counseling initiative at the height of the pandemic and remains active in the program today.This episode covers the gamut, offering great insights on reframing our services to better meet our clients’ needs, valuable ways to improve our own work as financial professionals (hint: it goes beyond financial knowledge), and the importance of aspiring to a belief system. We also talk about the power of words (in relation to someone seeking help) – and how important it is to understand your clients and how they think about money.Following the recording of this episode, we learned that Heath was named the “2022 Community Champion” at the Maryland Financial Education and Capability Awards Program. Heath’s impact is far-reaching, and his insights are great, making this an episode you don’t want to miss!Show Notes:2:10 Heath's background and what led him to his work today6:12 What inspired Heath to pursue the AFC® designation10:43 Heath's experience with the Pro Bono Counseling Initiative13:23 Trends and different scenarios Heath has been picking up on17:00 Has there been a rise in clients over the last few years?23:01 How Heath connects with the community29:00 Heath's final 2 CentsShow Note Links:Connect with Heath on LinkedInEarnUpMoney HabitudesCash Campaign of MarylandFinancial Empowerment Center at Prince George’s Community CollegeAFCPE Resources:Join the Membership community AFCPE Symposium Invitation to PresentWant to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today! Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.