Mark S. Kelly, Certified Financial Planner

08/09/2023

I am sorry, but this is insane. 2 years ago I replaced an AC unit for our beach house and now the price has increased over 100% due to changes in regulations. Government Regulations all sound good, but they have consequences and this is an example of the financial cost. As I provide Financial Coaching, I just hope people see this another reason to have an emergency fund.

06/08/2023

Have you looked into these ways to obtain financial freedom?

Financial Freedom and Your Capability to Achieve It. Goal setting and Budgeting to increase your capability of achieving your dreams and goals.

02/05/2023

It really starts with an understanding of the costs of retirement. Too few people have a real plan. Our role is to be a guide to help you make the most informed decisions for yourself, but it starts with a conversation.

Elizabeth Boatwright planned to be retired by now. After all, she and her husband Frank saved diligently for decades, and seemed on track to hit their financial goals. But the couple’s plan didn’t include Frank, a former social worker, developing dementia two years ago, or budget for his caregiv...

11/25/2022

Getting ready for game time. Much warmer this year. Go Heels! Go Pack! So hard to decide….

06/07/2022

See how College Aid Pro can help you figure out not just how to save for College, but pay for 4 years down to the penny.

09/15/2021

Things to know if you are taking on student loans to send your children to college.

Credible Money Coach replies to retiree question about getting parent student loans forgiven.

08/24/2021

Learn about the 5 Critical Things College Bound Families need to know and how we use College Aid Pro to help clients be an informed consumer of a College Education.

07/20/2021

Just a few more days until the Super Duper Duck Splash 2021

Your rubber duck destiny awaits...THIS SATURDAY, JULY 24!

The Wakefield Rotary Club of Wake Forest’s Super Duper Duck Splash is back (in person and via live stream)! By adopting a duck, you'll be supporting multiple local community-supporting "duck buddies," including the Kerr Family YMCA's scholarship campaign.

If your duck(s) cross the finish line first, you could take home up to $1,500! Learn more and adopt your ducks online:
https://www.duckrace.com/WakeForest/teams/10298

04/05/2021

At University Financial Strategies, we help families become an educated consumer of a college education. We help by putting a plan in place to increase college affordability, and balance education costs with other financial goals.
https://universityfinancialstrategies.com/free-college-money-report/

01/21/2021

Good advice for those who have been deferred.

A Letter of Continued Interest is a formal letter to a school that lets the school know you are still interested in attending, despite being waitlisted or deferred. It’s a good way to remind the school that you still exist and that you’re someone they should accept in the next round of admissions or take off their waitlist.⠀

Make sure you follow the instructions of your deferral. Some schools explicitly do not want you to send additional information. Other schools have specific forms that they want you to use. While other schools ask for specific information. Be sure to research on the schools website or contact directly.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Address your letter to your regional admissions officer instead of just the admissions office, or worse, the Dean of the college. Thank them for reviewing your application. Since it’s a semi-formal part of the admissions process, but not the kind of standard thing that everyone has to send, it’s good to make it personal.

Reiterate what it is about this school that makes you write the Letter of Continued Interest. This is partly to ensure that they don’t think you’re just sending the same form letter to every college that rejected you, and partly to describe why you’d be a good fit. Avoid sounding desperate; don’t tell them that this is your only option, and if they don’t admit you you’re probably going to end up in your parents’ basement for the rest of your life 😉