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MONTH-2-MONTH
FEBRUARY 2025
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MONTH-2-MONTH is intended to provide you with updates on AFP and timely financial planning and investment information on a variety of topics.
If you find our content useful, please forward this email to a friend.
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February, nestled in the heart of winter, invites quiet reflection and warmth. Snow-covered landscapes offer beauty and stillness, reminding us to pause and appreciate the present. It's a time to care for our hearts – both in health and love – and to let those we cherish know how deeply they are loved. | |
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CLIENT PROGRAMS IN 2025 – We will be hosting two client events this year, one in the Spring and another in the Fall.
SAVE THE DATE – "Are You Prepared for a Disaster?"
Tuesday, May 6th 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Grandview Heights (McKinley Park)
Stay tuned for details!
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WEBINAR UPDATE – Due to time constraints, we will no longer be recording monthly webinars, but we may host a few periodically.
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SHORT VIDEOS – We will be recording a series of 1-2 minute videos and posting them to our Youtube channel, social media pages, and our website. This way we can provide you with easily digestible, up-to-date information.
We are starting something new this year: A safe and supportive space for women to talk about $. We aim to make these fun and informal quarterly gatherings for women, by women, on Saturday mornings.
Come Join Us...
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What: Small informal gathering to talk about Finances & Money
When: Quarterly: 1st Gathering is April 5 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Where: Office of Alexander Financial Planning
Who: For Women by Women
Why: To learn how to make finances feel less intimidating and more like an act of self-care. Because small, consistent steps lead to financial freedom – and a better relationship with your money.
Our first gathering will be led by money coaches Carol Van Fossen and Cindy Locker with Next Chapter Finances, www.nextchapterfinances.com, and Teri Alexander with Alexander Financial Planning, Inc.
Please RSVP to Teri Alexander by phone at 614-538-1600 ext. 3 or email thrive@nextchapterfinances.com by April 3rd.
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It was nice to have a small break from the freezing weather of January last week. I was able to escape by attending a Financial Life Planning workshop in Hana, Hawaii facilitated by the father of Life Planning, George Kinder. It is rare to be able to spend time with George these days, and I am grateful to have had this opportunity. He has been, and continues to be, a trailblazer in our profession. We are one of a handful of firms in central Ohio to bring life planning to our clients. As we move through this year, we will begin to further incorporate it into our process. Beyond this trip, we celebrated one of my grandsons turning another year older, a close friend of mine became a first-time grandmother, and it’s been a joy to be a part of the Clintonville Choir. We are getting ready for our Spring concert on April 13th. | | | |
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February is usually an unexciting month, and this year we’ve had a typical February. The girls continue with the second half of their basketball season. The rehearsal schedule for Ellie’s musical is ramping up as they get ready for their mid-March performances. Meanwhile, we gladly notice the days slowly getting longer as we look forward to springtime. With that in mind, I noticed last week that it seems a skunk has taken up residence under our back deck. I may need to find a way to convince him to check out a different neighborhood. | | | |
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Winter’s cold has turned our focus to indoor projects. We decided it was past time to repaint one bedroom. This project has led to additional work, reconfiguring several rooms in the house. We had designated many rooms to the purpose of occupying a child stuck at home during the pandemic. Reclaiming these rooms should keep us busy until spring. We have a winter getaway scheduled and continue working to plan our summer vacation. | | | |
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Next week, my aunt and uncle will be visiting while on their way down to Florida from their home in Minnesota. They are only going to be here for about a day, but I am very much looking forward to spending some time with them. I have only been able to see them once since the pandemic, so we’ll have quite a bit of catching up to do. It has been several years since I’ve been able to make my way up north to visit them, I may try to set aside some time later this year for an extended visit. | | |
Current Economic and Investment Information | |
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OIL ROUND TRIP – While the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rallied 12.6% from $71.70/barrel up to a high of $80.80 in the first 15 days of 2025, it fell 11.6% over the next four weeks back down to $71.40 on February 12th. The American Automobile Association (AAA)'s national average tracker for gas prices, however, has risen from $3.06/gallon to $3.16/gallon so far this year. (Source: Bespoke, AAA)
GOVERNMENT VS MARKET DATA – The January Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 3% year over year (y/y), but the Truflation US Inflation Index, an independent measure that uses over 30 million datapoints from over 30 different sources, dropped to 2.07% y/y as of 2/12. That was the lowest level since last November's election. (Source: Bespoke)
AS GOES JANUARY – Since 1953, in the years when the S&P 500 was up in January, the median rest-of-year performance was a gain of 13.5%, with positive returns 86% of the time. In the years when the S&P 500 was down in January, the median rest-of-year gain was 3.5%, with gains 60% of the time. (Source: Bespoke)
THE BARE MINIMUM – The percentage of active credit card accounts making the minimum payment increased to 10.75% in Q3 2024, representing the highest level since at least 2012. The percentage of credit card accounts which were at least 30 days past due increased to 3.52%, more than double the post-pandemic low of 1.57% from Q2 2021. (Sources: Philadelphia Fed)
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• CARE EXPENSES BY GENDER • | |
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The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board of Standards recently conducted a series of surveys engaging female CFPs and female consumers with investable assets. These surveys, combined with existing research data, have been used as the basis of a report on the growing financial power of women. The below chart contains a segment of this report, detailing how men and women view care expenses differently. The full report is linked below the chart.
© 2025 CFP Board for Financial Planning All Rights Reserved
| Click here to view the source. | |
Relationships & Your Financial Love Language | |
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Understanding Your Financial Love Language
Source: North American, A Sammons Financial Company
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Over the years we have met with many couples. Some are on the same wavelength with their money philosophies, and others are miles apart. It can be challenging to find common ground in all areas, even for those who appear to be in sync. What is most rewarding is helping all our clients hear their partner’s true concerns and find a path forward to achieving their ultimate goals and dreams.
There is no one right way, but there are some common steps that are beneficial for any couple to follow together. This article provides some wonderful suggestions on how to improve and facilitate conversations around money.
Click here to read this article.
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American Heart Month:
Overcoming Financial Obstacles
By TailorMed Editorial Team
Source: TailorMed
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Like many, this topic of heart health hits home for me on many levels. For the last seven years when February rolls around I am reminded of how quickly life can change. You never quite forget a moment when someone near you experiences a heart attack. Fortunately, I was right there and could act quickly. I also know this is not the case when someone is alone (as my former husband was), experiences a heart attack, and does not make it. For those with ongoing cardiovascular issues, the cost of care becomes a part of their spending plan and for some very expensive. As this article points out, being aware of the advances in medicine can be extremely helpful for those impacted by this disease.
Click here to read this article.
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Do you know someone who can benefit from FINANCIAL PLANNING?
At Alexander Financial Planning, we are passionate about financial life planning. We also know that it is not just about the numbers. While numbers are important, they are there to support your hopes, dreams, and desires. When we can put all the components of financial planning together, (cash flow, insurance, investing, taxation, and estate planning) your unique picture of a path forward comes into view. For 27+ years, we have been helping individuals and families develop their plan and navigate the twists and turns each year.
Whether you’re planning for retirement, becoming an empty nester, or navigating how to take retirement distributions, we are your thinking partner. We are here to make sense of it all, one step at a time. If now is the time for you or someone you know to get serious about your financial future, contact us. We’d love to be of service.
WHAT SETS US APART
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“In February, nature reminds us that even in the coldest moments, beauty can still flourish.”
- Gabriela Alemán
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Alexander Financial Planning | |
3600 Olentangy River Rd, Ste. C2
Columbus, OH 43214
614-538-1600
Office Hours:
Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registered Investment Advisor
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This material is distributed by Alexander Financial Planning, Inc., (AFPI) and is for information purposes only. Although information has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy. It is provided with the understanding that no fiduciary relationship exists because of this report. Opinions expressed in this report are not necessarily the opinions of AFPI and are subject to change without notice. AFPI assumes no liability for the interpretation or use of this report. Financial planning, investment conclusions, and strategies suggested in this report may not be suitable for all investors and consultation with a qualified advisor is recommended prior to executing any investment strategy. No portion of this writing should be construed as legal or accounting advice. All rights reserved. | | |
© Alexander Financial Planning, Inc. | |
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