CFP Board’s work to promote financial regulatory reforms
Two significant developments in CFP Board’s work to promote financial regulatory reforms that will benefit the American public.

1. Financial Planning Coalition Testifies Before House Financial Services Committee
2. CFP Board and Pro-Consumer Groups Urge Congress to Require Fiduciary Standard for All Advice Providers

As You Gobble, Give Some Thought to the Rising Costs of Healthcare
The holidays are when everyone takes a break from the diet and the gym because there’s too much fun ahead and plenty of time to think about those things in January. However, before the holidays really get going, it’s really important to give at least a little thought as to what poor eating and exercise habits could cost you in the future.

Give Yourself a Special Gift at the Holidays: A Season without Debt
The holidays are a time to be generous, particularly to children and charity. But there’s no requirement that you have to enter or deepen debt that you’ll be paying off for months and possibly years. Make a plan now.

Your Personality is a Big Part of Your Investment Approach
How important is your personality to your investment picture? It’s hugely important. Your personality determines not only the amount of risk you’re willing to take, it also affects how deeply you want to be involved with your money over the long haul.

Does Your Family Have a Long-Term Care Strategy
Nursing homes and long-term illness aren’t happy subjects, and that’s why people typically avoid thinking about them until a sudden emergency occurs or someone mentions long-term care insurance.

As New Models Roll In, Keep Your Money From Rolling Out
There are many tips and tricks to buying a car and probably too many to be listed here. But with the 2008 models gliding into the showrooms, it makes sense to review some basic car buying tips so you make the smartest purchase possible.

Don't Go Blind to Open Enrollment - Review Your Options First
With every year, employers have a tougher time justifying the cost of certain benefits – healthcare, transportation, retirement offerings, you name it. That’s why each year employees need to take a close look at what benefit selections are available to make the best selections during the annual open enrollment period.

Your First Job Can Be the First Great Move in Your Financial Life
New college graduates will be entering the workforce this summer with plenty of excitement – and plenty of debt. This year, the average college debt stands at $20,000 for the first time ever.

Thinking of Buying Your First Home or Refinancing? Here’s How to Improve Your Credit Before You Apply
While no one can count on rate forecasts, the prospect of lower mortgage rates later this year should have borrowers thinking about taking advantage of cuts if they happen.

Prevent Financial Fireworks This 4th – Do a Midyear Financial Checkup
Very few people are in the mood to hunker down with their financial files when the summer weather beckons. But a midyear review of your tax situation, retirement and spending issues can be far more valuable than the rushed attempt most people make at the end of the year -- or when it’s too late at tax time.

Make Sure Your Travel Insurance is a Real Safety Net
Weather delays, terrorism scares and general overcrowding in the skies have lead to plenty of frightening travel news on the airwaves. If you’ve ever been stuck on the airport tarmac for hours or had a flight cancelled on the way to a brief but desperately needed vacation, you’ve probably faced the irritating possibility of losing hundreds or thousands of dollars of your hard-earned vacation savings.

Singles and Unmarried Couples Require Their Own Financial Planning Structure
National statistics show that single people are starting to wield increasing economic power in the United States, either living alone or with other singles. For instance, the National Association of Realtors recently reported that single women are the fastest-growing force in home buying, while the overall number of married homeowners has dropped a full 10 percentage points from a decade ago.

Just Mailed Your Check to Uncle Sam? Get a Jump on Your ’07 Taxes Now
Most of us would rather just lie down after mailing our taxes – it’s an exhaustion that comes from the suspicion of paying too much or wondering if we’ve missed deductions that could have saved us money. Yet one good way to avoid that overtaxed feeling is to get a jump on planning for Tax Year 2007.