Headlines

2024 MQ Gathering: A Great Success!

The 2024 MQ Gathering outside Nashville, TN, was a success, and we couldn’t have done it without the amazing attendees who brought their insights, curiosity, and energy. With thought-provoking discussions and conversations, the event was filled with meaningful dialogue about the complexities of retirement.

We also celebrated the remarkable contributions of our founder, Carol Anderson, as she transitions into her own retirement – a truly special moment for all who attended!

To those who joined us, thank you for making the Gathering unforgettable.

For those who couldn’t make it, we hope you tune in to the MQ Gathering Recap and Highlights webinar on November 25.

We certainly hope to see you next year in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN! Stay tuned for more.

MQ Educational Offerings Now Approved for AFCPE CEU

We are excited to announce that Money Quotient now offers CEUs for AFC® (Accredited Financial Counselor) professionals who participate in our training programs! This new offering is in addition to the CFP® CE credits we have provided for years, allowing a wider range of financial professionals to enhance their skills through our research-based and client-centered approach.

“Providing CEUs for both CFP® professionals and AFC® counselors allows us to extend the reach of our educational offerings to even more financial professionals dedicated to making a difference in their clients’ lives,” said MQ Director of Education and Communication Derek Hagen, CFP®, CFA, FBS®, CFT™.

We look forward to supporting the professional growth of AFC® counselors as they join our MQ community and continue their journey toward delivering meaningful, life-centered financial guidance.

Money Quotient Welcomes Derek Hagen!

We at Money Quotient are pleased to announce that Derek Hagen has joined MQ as the Director of Education and Communication and Financial Behavior Specialist.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Derek join our team and partner with us in providing research and evidence-based education to a wide range of financial professionals,” said MQ’s President Amy Mullen, CFP®. She adds, “His unique expertise and depth of experience will be a huge asset to our team and especially our MQ Community. We feel so fortunate to welcome Derek to Money Quotient.”

Derek will support our current processes and help develop new, innovative ways to add value to MQ Partners, financial professionals, and consumers.

“I’m excited to join the team and contribute to the mission of Money Quotient of helping financial professionals implement a life-centered approach to financial advice, ultimately supporting their clients in leading meaningful and fulfilling lives,” Derek said.

Derek brings a wealth of experience to Money Quotient, with specialized training in financial psychology, financial therapy, and behavioral finance. His work focuses on communication, personal values, meaning in life, mindfulness, and resilience.

Welcome to the team, Derek!

Carol Anderson Honored with P. Kemp Fain, Jr. Award

We are thrilled to announce that our founder, Carol Anderson, M.S., has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2024 P. Kemp Fain, Jr., Award by the Financial Planning Association®. This award, the highest individual recognition in the financial planning profession, honors Carol for her significant contributions to the advancement of the field over the past 35 years.

Carol’s groundbreaking research and innovative programs have had a profound impact on the financial planning profession. Her work has enabled financial planners to understand the emotional and behavioral aspects of money, helping them to build stronger, more meaningful relationships with their clients. Through Money Quotient, Carol has provided tools and training that empower financial professionals to guide their clients toward more successful and satisfying relationships with money.

Carol’s leadership and dedication to the profession are truly inspiring. Her passion for developing financial planners and her commitment to evidence-based practices have left an indelible mark on the field. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Carol for this well-deserved honor and look forward to celebrating her achievements at the FPA Annual Conference in September.

Carol, your visionary leadership and tireless efforts continue to shape the future of financial planning. We are incredibly proud to continue your work!

Improve Your Skills with Prospects

On July 23rd, Money Quotient will hold the advanced course: “A Values-Based Approach to Effective Communication with Prospective Clients.”

This workshop, led by MQ President Amy Mullen, CFP®, will delve into the essential components of effective communication during the initial stages of client interaction. Specifically, it will focus on the importance of a well-structured “Getting Acquainted Meeting,” a crucial time when the trust-building process begins. This stage presents a unique opportunity for advisors to highlight the significance of a comprehensive client-centered approach to financial planning.

Research and experience indicate that trust in an advisor is significantly developed when the advisor underscores the importance of aligning the financial plan with the client’s values and priorities. By incorporating life-centered exercises and engaging in meaningful conversations, advisors can create a more holistic and impactful planning process.

During this workshop, you will explore:

  • The psychological dynamics in a client/planner relationship during the prospect stage, including beliefs and biases.
  • Effective communication techniques that resonate with the client’s emotional brain, set clear expectations, and foster motivation for positive financial actions.
  • Tools and strategies to convey the planner’s value proposition and encourage client commitment to a long-term financial plan.
  • Communication skills that set client expectations and clearly define the benefits and outcomes of values-based financial planning.
  • Methods to encourage prospective clients to openly share critical personal and financial information that will influence the success of their financial plan.

The course will be limited to 24 attendees to ensure a personalized and engaging learning experience. All participants will receive 4 CE credits already approved by the CFP board. Don’t miss this opportunity to grab your seat! We look forward to seeing you there!

Welcome New MQ Partners!

We recently completed two Fundamentals of True Wealth™ Planning trainings! Thank you to Rooted Planning Group for hosting an in-person training in beautiful Corning, NY and treating the participants to a gorgeous hike at Watkins Glen State Park and a tasting of the areas fabulous wines! It was also lovely to host new MQ Partners as well as seasoned veterans for a robust virtual training. Thanks to all participants for making these rich and rewarding learning experiences!

New Grads

  • Amy Irvine
  • Andrew Truax
  • Brent Irvine
  • Deb Kerr
  • Donna Spear
  • Elise Huston
  • Kate Welker
  • Kerrie Beene
  • Laura Corbiani
  • Liz Zemak
  • Marie Williams
  • Michael Ginsberg
  • Muriel Parrotte
  • Rebekah Eason
  • Shelby St. Martin
  • Thomas Stephen
  • Cole McClarren
  • Jill Isbell
  • Adam Van Wert

Veterans

  • Brian Tegtmeyer
  • Kshitija
  • Jerry Sutton

Money Quotient would like to thank everyone for joining, we are excited to continue the journey of holistic financial life planning with you!

Beyond the Office: A Conversation on Transitioning into Retirement

Recently, JNBA, an MQ Partner Firm since 2019, hosted an enriching client appreciation event centered on the theme of “Transitioning into Retirement.” This event provided a unique opportunity for many of their clients contemplating retirement in the coming months or years to gather insights and wisdom from a distinguished a panel with knowledge and experience in retirement. Led by seasoned media professional Kim Insley, the panel engaged attendees in an enlightening discussion about life “Beyond the Office”.

MQ President, Amy Mullen, CFP® was invited to participate in the panel as an expert on the emotional and life planning aspects of this transition. In addition, three JNBA clients who have experienced 2+ years of retirement were invited to share their experiences and provide their insights to others. Finally, as gifts, JNBA provided each attendee with a printed copy of Money Quotient’s “No Rule Retirement” workbook.

Here is what Amy had to say about the event:

This was a truly engaging and enlightening event for all. It was visibly clear how much the pre-retired attendees valued hearing about the panelists’ experiences, had a desire to discuss their own feelings and concerns about retirement, and were delighted to connect with others in a similar stage of life. I hope other financial planning firms consider offering similar community building and awareness expanding type client appreciation events.

Don’t miss out on the chance to host similar events and provide your clients with the tools they need for a successful retirement transition!

Let’s Celebrate Carol & Her Legacy


With great honor and mountains of respect, we share the exciting news that Carol Anderson, Money Quotient’s founder, will be retiring at the end of June 2024.

Carol’s life work, which has spanned over three decades, was sparked in the late 80s by her discovery of research indicating the vast ineffectiveness of financial literacy programs in positively impacting individuals’ financial behaviors and well-being.

Starting with her master’s thesis project in 1991, Carol has broken ground in the financial industry by studying both the emotional and practical factors involved in individuals’ relationships with money and decision-making behaviors. After receiving her master’s degree, she continued to pursue her curiosity and newfound love for research, establishing Carol A Anderson Research. As an independent researcher and writer, she partnered with various for-profit and non-profit organizations to conduct studies and develop educational programs and workshops designed to deeply engage its students and build motivation to make lasting positive change in their financial lives.

With a growing library of resources she had developed, Carol founded Money Quotient in 2001 and soon after began teaching financial professionals how to understand their clients and their financial well-being through a multidisciplinary lens.

In an effort to continue her research, she established a non-profit 501(c)3 in 2003 and began developing relationships with universities across the country.  Two notable studies she led have made a profound impact on the financial industry and are regularly referenced are “Communication Issues in Life Planning: Defining Key Factors in Developing Successful Planner-Client Relationships,” published in 2007, and “Developing and Maintaining Client Relationships in a Rapidly Changing Environment” published in 2021.

If you’ve personally experienced the power of the True Wealth Planning model and the Money Quotient tools Carol has developed or have witnessed its impact on your clients’ lives, then you’re lucky to be part of a community that understands the importance of Carol’s work in the evolution of financial planning, coaching, counseling, and education.

We hope you’ll come celebrate Carol’s retirement and the legacy of her life’s work with us at our MQ Gathering and Celebration Dinner near Nashville, TN from October 28-30, 2024.

A Warm Welcome to our FTWP Grads!

Congratulations to the new graduates from our most recent Fundamentals of True Wealth™ Planning training! We’re excited to welcome many of them into the MQ Community, and to support them as they continue to embrace Money Quotient’s unique model of life-centered financial planning.

Money Quotient would also like to thank Jennifer Luzzatto, CFA, CFP®, AIF®, MBA and Christina Kramlich, CFP® for completing the course again, and for imparting their wisdom as Veteran MQ Partners!

New Retirement Planning Tools!

We’re excited to announce the addition to two new retirement planning tools available to all MQ Partnership levels. The Wheel of Retirement and the Visualize My Retirement can be found in the “Common Situations – Ongoing Clients” section of our MQ Materials Directory under “Retirement Planning.”

It is common for clients to have a vague idea of some of the activities and endeavors they would enjoy in retirement, but most have not had the opportunity to think deeply about this transition. You can provide immense value to your client by offering a structure that will guide their thought process to developing a vision of an ideal retirement that will bring a sense of fulfillment. Look to the newly updated Issue Driven Implementation Guide and Chart for our suggestions on how to best structure these conversations with your client.