What would you say your passion is?
“I am most passionate about learning and, as a consequence, I really love to travel, explore different places and try new things.”
How does it relate to what you do for a living?
“I am a scientist and an educator, both of which connect directly to my interest in learning new things, understanding complex issues and sharing my knowledge with my students and my children.”
How has having children affected your work, life and financial planning?
“Raising children is a wonderful experience, but it is also a serious financial commitment. The single greatest concern we had was the likely expense of college for our children. Anticipating the cost of college is challenging because there are quite a few variables, and this process was one where financial planning advice was most helpful. I want to focus on the things that I'm actually interested in, and I'd like the money that I set aside to grow, and I'll leave that to the money managers.”
What does successful financial planning mean to you?
“Given the resources you have (current savings and income) and your financial obligations (present and future), financial planning should show you where you are headed and how to change your saving and spending behavior in order to most likely achieve your financial goals—whether those be retirement, paying for college or taking a trip around the world.”