by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Kids and College, Running Money ®
The white carriage pulled by a white horse took us down the gentle grade around the back of the lake in full view of the guests seated at the entrance to the peninsula, on which resided in the gazebo. I have no memory of what we discussed along the way, but it would...
by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Beneficiary, Client Stories, Kids and College, Long Term Care, Videos
Inside that football-sized roll of towels, is a newborn baby. Nine months in the making, a lifetime ahead, fraught with challenges only begun by the arduous passage called birth. Liam’s thoughts as he held his daughter for the first time. It wasn’t a particularly...
by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Beneficiary, Financial Plan, Kids and College, Taxes
The Section 529 Plan is one of the best vehicles for accumulating education funds, because they can benefit both the student and the contributor. The funds grow without any tax consequences, and when used for education expenses[ Qualified education expenses include...
by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Enduring Principles, Financial Plan, Kids and College, Running Money ®
Dear Kids, Today you brought your first baby into the world! We are so excited, and mom is in her element. We can’t wait to spoil her. She’ll be joining our annual father/daughter date at the Angels’ home opener. Doing a little quick math, there are only 220 months...
by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Economic Commentary, IRA Accounts, Kids and College, Politics, Taxes
In the recently passed Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, Congress did some things that could be considered game-changers. Here’s a few of them that I think could be significant to my constituents (it’s a political year, and I couldn’t resist the word choice). For the...