Capstone Wealth Partners

Capstone Wealth Partners Fee-only financial planning for college-bound families and beyond. Schedule an appointment with one of our advisers today.

We serve families with college-bound students – focusing first on education funding, and then folding in retirement planning and investment management. We also advise on basic tax and estate planning. Rather than dedicate their own time, energy, and money, our clients prefer to delegate to a financial advisor who relies on sound strategies, leverages technology for their convenience, and proactively communicates.

05/29/2026

It’s 5/29, and you know what that means…

Happy 529 Day! 🎉 College 529 Day, that is.

The College 529 Plan is hands down one of the best savings vehicles and financial tools for your child’s education and your family’s future. And we have a GREAT one right here in Ohio with CollegeAdvantage Ohio's 529 Plan. (Give them a follow!)

Here are the top 3 reasons to love the 529:

💵 Major Tax Benefits: For Ohio residents, you can get up to a $4,000 state income tax deduction per beneficiary, per year! Plus, your money grows tax-deferred, and all withdrawals are 100% tax-free when used for qualifying education expenses.

💪 Extreme Flexibility: Getting money in is easy—anyone can contribute (grandparents, aunts, uncles), and you can start with as little as $25. Getting money out is just as flexible. It’s not just for standard college anymore; it covers K-12, graduate school, apprenticeships, tuition, room & board, and books at any federally accredited institution nationwide.

🪤 No "Unused Money" Trap: Worried your kid won't use all the plan money? You can easily change the beneficiary. Even better, you can now use up to $10,000 to pay off student loans or roll over up to $35,000 into a Roth IRA to give them a massive head start on retirement!

Investing in your child’s future starts with a plan… a 529 Plan!

05/22/2026

Millions of graduate students are about to hit a financial wall this summer.

The Department of Education has finalized massive new federal borrowing caps for graduate school, and nearly 30% of all graduate students will run up against these new limits.

The government’s plan? Cut back federal lending to force colleges to lower prices, and let private banks fill in the gaps.

A new report from the Student Borrower Protection Center reveals a flaw in that logic: Over 40% of Americans cannot qualify for a traditional private student loan.

But when you slash federal safety nets and force students into a private market that rejects nearly half of them, you don't lower college costs. You just slam the door on higher education for millions.

What are your thoughts on the new student loan caps and how they will affect funding higher education? Sound off in the comments.

Click the link in our comments to read more about the July 1st deadline and what it entails.

05/15/2026

Is your leftover College 529 money trapped after you graduate from college? 😰

Nope! Actually, leftover money in your 529 plan is a GREAT "problem" to have!

If your student has graduated and you still have a 529 balance, here are 5 ways to use it:

1️⃣ Roth IRA Rollover: Kickstart your student's retirement (up to a $35k lifetime limit).

2️⃣ Pay Student Loans: Use up to $10k to wipe out debt for the beneficiary or their siblings.

3️⃣ Change the Beneficiary: Pass the funds to a sibling or save them for future grandkids.

4️⃣ Keep Learning: Use it for grad school or professional certifications later in life.

5️⃣ The Scholarship Loophole: Withdraw penalty-free up to the amount of any scholarships earned.

Click our link in the comments to read our latest blog about how to use your leftover 529 funds after college.

05/11/2026

This is one of my FAVORITE strategies to unlock more free money for college! 🎓💰

Here it is: open a College 529 plan in a grandparent’s name.

While financial aid forms (FAFSA) look closely at parent and student assets, grandparent-owned accounts are currently NOT assessed on the FAFSA.

This means you get all the classic benefits of a 529 — like tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified expenses — without it counting against your student’s aid eligibility.

Here’s why it’s a win-win-win:

🔐 Financial Aid Protection: Assets aren't assessed on the FAFSA.
🏡 Family Contributions: Aunts, uncles, and parents can still contribute to the account for birthdays and holidays!
💪 Flexibility: You still get the same tax-free growth and investment options.

Use this tip to make your college savings work harder for your family!

05/01/2026

Is your student’s major on the chopping block? 😰

When a university loses millions in funding — like the $8 million drop recently seen at Case Western from the NIH — budgets get tight. Before you commit to a school, now more than ever, you need to ensure the program you're paying for will actually be there in four years.

With some schools dropping 15 to 30 different programs recently, college shopping requires more than just a campus tour. Programs in the humanities and language arts are often the first to go if they aren't producing "positive dollars" for the university.

Before you sign that enrollment agreement, ask these critical questions:

🧑‍🏫 Check the Faculty: How many professors have they recently hired for this specific major?
📊 Track the Data: How many students have successfully graduated with this degree from this college?
🤝 Verify Commitment: Speak directly to professors and deans to understand how committed the university is to the program’s future.
💰 Follow the Money: What does the endowment look like, and is it supporting your specific field of study?

Don't just assume a major is safe because it’s in the brochure. Do your homework now so your student isn't left without a department mid-degree.

For more information on the Great Higher Ed Reset, click the blog link in the comments.

04/28/2026

There are LESS than 100 days left until the Common Application opens, and that means...

It's time to figure out how the heck you're going to pay for college!!

DO NOT wait until the acceptance letters arrive to realize a school is out of financial reach! By then, the financial options are limited, the emotional investment is high, and it will be much harder to have the college money talk with your student.

Now is the time to be proactive rather than reactive by booking your ​College Pre-Approval Session™​. In this session, I will give you the clarity and leverage you need to shop smart.

In this intensive 1-on-1 session with me, you will receive:

📋 Your Personalized College Money Report™: A side-by-side comparison of your top 10 schools, showing exactly what you’ll owe at each.
🏫 A College Cost Reduction Report™: Strategies to lower your out-of-pocket costs and minimize student loan debt.
💻 Lifetime Portal Access: Use our private search tool to calculate net prices and find scholarships at over 3,500 institutions.

In just 90 minutes, I'll give you the answers most parents take 10 hours to find.

I've had so many happy parents say, "I wish I had booked this session sooner," so use the link below to book your session to take the stress out of shopping for schools now.

Don't guess on the biggest purchase of your student's life. Spend 90 minutes with me and walk away with a plan that works for your budget. Click the link in the comments to get started.

04/21/2026

I had the honor of being featured in a MarketWatch article on the importance of finding a balance between saving for college and living a fruitful life with your family, full of memorable experiences and joy.

In today’s world, when you have a newborn, the “college clock” starts ticking immediately, and for many families, the reality is that competing financial demands — like retirement, emergency funds, and high-interest debt — often take precedence.

A balanced perspective is key, so before funnelling significant monthly contributions into a 529 plan, experts suggest you focus on:

🛟 An Emergency Fund: Aiming for a “mini-fund” of $2,000 first, eventually scaling to 3–12 months of living expenses.
💸 High-Interest Debt: Paying down credit cards or high-interest loans that can derail long-term stability.
🏝️ Retirement Contributions: Prioritizing your future self, particularly reaching at least your employer’s match.
🏡 Cost of Living Stability: Ensuring your major fixed costs (housing, transport, food) are manageable enough to allow for “fun money” and future investments.

Tomorrow’s not promised. We have to enjoy today. By securing your financial foundation first, you ensure that when you do start saving for your child’s education, you aren’t doing it at the expense of your own future.

Thank you to Venessa Wong for this feature! (Link to the article in the comments.)

04/09/2026

We hear it all the time, "If you get into college, we'll make it work." 😰

Before you sign on the dotted line and commit to one of the BIGGEST investments of your life, you NEED a plan that covers more than just the first semester.

Most families start with a 529, but a truly comprehensive plan goes MUCH DEEPER. We’re breaking down the exact strategies you need to fund all four years—down to the penny.

In this FREE webinar, we’re covering:

📚 The 529 & Beyond: How to best utilize your 529 and which other assets to apply to costs.
💵 Cash Flow Tactics: Identifying what cash flow you have available to offset bills.
🤝 Smart Lending: Understanding exactly what types of loans to use and when to use them.
🌅 The Full Picture: Building a complete plan for all four years before you commit.

Don't go into the college years guessing!

Click the link in our comments to join me and Amber Gilsdorf of Estrela Consulting for this webinar on April 15th at 7 PM ET to learn how to build the perfect strategic payment plan that works for your family — and your wallet.

Win a $499 College Pre-Approval™ session with Joe for FREE!Follow on Instagram between March 28, 2026, and April 6, 202...
04/02/2026

Win a $499 College Pre-Approval™ session with Joe for FREE!

Follow on Instagram between March 28, 2026, and April 6, 2026 @ 12:00 AM ET, and we'll randomly choose one lucky follower to win their own College Pre-Approval™ session.

This College Pre-Approval™ session is a 90-minute meeting with industry-leading College Financial Consultant Joe Messinger that will show you how your student can graduate on time, with manageable student loan debt that won’t rob your retirement.

This College Pre-Approval™ package has received reviews such as:

🧑‍🎓 ”This meeting gave me an unfair advantage when looking at colleges with my child!"
📚 ”I feel confident navigating the college marketing machine now."
🎓 ”I never knew there were experts out there who could help me with all of this!"

I'll announce the winner in our email and on our Instagram Story by April 11, 2026, so give us a follow here: https://www.instagram.com/capstonewealthpartners/

View our privacy policy here: https://capstonewealthpartners.com/privacy-policy/

03/27/2026

Your financial aid offer might be UNFAIR! 😡

It’s financial aid season, and the awards are rolling in. But before you accept that first offer, ask yourself: Is it actually a fair deal? Decision Day is right around the corner, and your first offer might not be the school's best offer.

If you’re wondering if you can—or should—appeal your financial aid, the answer is often YES.

Here’s what you should do:

🔎 Fact-Check the Offer: Use price calculators or the College Money Report on the Capstone website to see if their proposal matches your expected out-of-pocket costs.

⬆️ Maximize Merit Scholarships: Check if you received the highest level of aid available. If there’s a range (e.g., $1,000 to $9,000) and you’re at the bottom, it's time to ask for more.

⚖️ Leverage Competing Offers: If your top-choice school is lagging behind a better offer from another institution, let them know. Be specific about the additional amount you need to make their school viable.

🧑‍🎓 Let the Student Lead: While parents provide the documentation, having the student lead the appeal charge is key to success.

👉 Need a guide? Schedule a complimentary session with me to chat about your specific situation. https://calendly.com/capstonewealth-jsm/college-consultation

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