Paying for college can be a challenge, but the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation (GKCCF) is helping to ease that burden for students in and around Kansas City. Their robust scholarship program offers hundreds of opportunities for students and matches...
By Marc C. Shaffer As parents, it can feel like the years fly by. One day, your child is starting kindergarten, and the next, you are talking about college visits, applications, and financial aid. For many families, the process of preparing for college can feel...
By Marc C. Shaffer The moment a high school graduate steps onto a college campus, they’re stepping into one of the most exciting, and potentially financially challenging, chapters of their life. As a committee member of the Wabash Cannonball, I was reminded of this...
By Jessica Kmetty My first grandbaby arrived this year. To say I’m excited is an understatement. Aside from the fresh newborn smell and cuddles and coos, I look at this baby and see a whole world of potential and a future of possibility. And because I lead a financial...
By Marc C. Shaffer When we talk about financial planning, we often focus on investments, retirement accounts, and long-term goals. But an essential part of that future includes planning for long-term care, both for ourselves and for the people we love most. "Age is...
By John C. Fales For families of affluence, transferring wealth to the next generation is about much more than numbers and legal documents. It’s about values, legacy, and responsibility. Without thoughtful preparation, wealth can do more harm than good, leading to...
By John Fales, Principal and Director of Financial Planning Starting financial planning early in life has numerous benefits, and the earlier you begin, the more time you have to leverage compounding and build wealth. You don’t have to wait until you have the best job,...
By Marc Shaffer National Infertility Awareness Month and National Infertility Awareness Week are a time to share stories, provide support, and bring awareness to the realities of infertility - both the emotional and financial toll it takes. My wife, Bridgette, and I...
The latest research suggests that divorce rates in the U.S. have been falling in recent decades. Still, many people face the difficult crossroads that comes when their marriage ends.1 Getting a divorce is often a painful, emotional process. Don’t be in such a hurry to...
When planning a wedding, many couples focus on the romance, the ceremony, and the celebrations, but one essential aspect that often gets overlooked is the financial side of marriage. Managing finances as a couple is not only crucial for maintaining a healthy...