Check out the resources below to help you plan your interview with Brad Baldridge.
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Bios
Short Version
Brad Baldridge is one of the nation’s leading college financial experts. He teaches families the best ways to plan, save and pay for college so they can make their children’s college dreams come true without wiping out their finances or their retirement.
For over 20 years, he has shared his expertise and insights through his private practice, as a blogger and host of the Taming the High Cost of College Podcast, and as a presenter at numerous workshops and seminars.
Long Version
Brad Baldridge is a College Funding Specialist who has helped thousands of families plan and save for college with smart and proven strategies to save time, money and stress.
As a financial expert, blogger and host of the Taming the High Cost of College podcast, Brad has been sharing his college planning insights with clients, subscribers and listeners for nearly 20 years.
He teaches parents the best ways to save and pay for college, including how to find the right school, maximize financial aid and scholarships, avoid student loan debt, and make your children’s college dreams come true without wiping out your finances or retirement.
Since 1998, Brad has become one of the nation’s leading college planning and college financial experts. He offers life-changing advice through his private practice, his online platforms, and at numerous workshops, seminars and events each year.
Logos
Brad Baldridge is the chief blogger and podcaster at Taming the High Cost of College, an online resource devoted to helping families plan for college with proven strategies to save them time, stress and money.
Sample Podcast Introduction
Today we’re joined by Brad Baldridge, one of the nation’s leading college financial planning experts. Brad teaches families the best ways to plan, save and pay for college so they can make their children’s college dreams come true without wiping out their finances or their retirement.
For over 20 years, he has shared his expertise and insights through his private practice, as a presenter at numerous workshops and seminars, and as a blogger and host of the Taming the High Cost of College Podcast. Today, Brad is joining us to talk about how to plan and save for college with smart and effective strategies, and he’ll answer some key questions that many families have about the college process.
Brad, thanks for being with us today, and welcome to the show!
Sample Questions to Ask
We can discuss a wide range of college planning topics and address some of the most pressing questions that many parents and families ask. Here are some sample questions to consider.
- If I’m a parent and I need to plan for college, how do I get started? Where should I begin? What are some of the top strategies you recommend for paying for college?
- You say that one of the biggest surprises for many parents is that the price of college isn’t what they see on school websites. What price should parents actually expect to pay?
- Many parents worry that paying for college will wipe out their finances or delay their retirement. How can families balance paying for college and saving for retirement?
- You say that many students can attend a private college for about the same price as a public university. But private colleges are really expensive, so how is that possible?
Topics We Can Cover
- The best ways to pay for college
- How to pay for college without going broke
- How to pay for college without wiping out your retirement
- How to save on your college costs
- Financial aid
- Scholarships
- College visits
- College testing
- Special topics (see below)
Special Topics
We can cover one or more of these additional topics, but they involve financial advice, which is subject to regulatory compliance requirements. If you’re a podcast host and we discuss any of these special topics, compliance disclosures must be included in your episode audio and on any show notes pages. If you’re interviewing Brad for print or non-podcast media, no disclosures are required. If you need to include compliance disclosures, they are shown by topic in the Disclosures section below. Here are the special topics we can discuss, along with some sample questions for each:
Real Estate
- What about families that own rental real estate? How does that impact college finances?
- Are there any real estate strategies people can use to help pay for college?
Business Ownership
- Are things different for business owners when it comes to planning and paying for college?
- How does owning a business affect college finances, and are there any advantages business ownerscan use?
Divorce
- Who pays for college when two parents are divorced or separated?
- How do you figure out who is going to pay and how much?
- What happens with college finances when parents remarry?
- What about students from blended families? How does that impact college finances for everyone involved?
Saving and Investing
- How much should we be saving for college?
- Where is the best place to put your money to save for college?
- Are there any college saving and investing strategies families should keep in mind?
529 Plans
- What is a 529 plan, and how can families use one to save for college?
- Is a 529 plan the best way to save for college?
- When is it too late to start saving with a 529 plan?
- Should I be using my own state’s 529 savinas plan?
Retirement and College Planning
- More and more parents are tapping into their retirement funds to pay for college. Is that something they should be doing?
- You say that most of your clients want to pay for their kids college but also have a comfortable retirement. Is it really possible to do both?
Tax Strategies
- Is it true that you can use tax savings or deductions to help pay for college?
- What are some of the tax strategies you can use to help with college planning?
Disclosures for Special Topics
If you’re a podcast host and we choose to discuss any of the Special Topics listed in the section above, please include the following disclosures in your episode audio and on any show notes or episode pages. You may record these disclosures in your own voice, or you can download pre-recorded audio, video, and text.
Disclosures
The information provided to you today is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute specific recommendations or advice. Please consult with a qualified professional before acting on any of this material.
Some of today’s discussion may have included information about investing. Please remember that investing involves risk, and, depending on the types of investments, there may be varying degrees of risk. Investors should be prepared to bear loss, including total loss of principal.
529 College Savings Plans
Before investing in any state’s 529 plan, investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This information and other important information are contained in the fund prospectuses, summary prospectuses, and 529 Product Program Description. These documents can be obtained from a financial professional or directly from the plan’s website. Please read them carefully before investing.
Depending on your state of residence, there may be an in-state plan that offers tax and other benefits, which may include financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors.
Before investing in a 529 plan, investors should consult a tax professional. If withdrawals from 529 plans are used for purposes other than qualified education, the withdrawal could be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty, state penalties federal income tax and state income tax.
Brad Baldridge
Brad Baldridge is a Registered Representative with Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.
Securities are offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC
Brad Baldridge is also an Investment Advisor Representative with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor
Baldridge Wealth Management and Baldridge College Solutions are affiliated. Cambridge and the Baldridge companies are not affiliated.
Registered branch location: 2810 S. Calhoun Road, New Berlin, WI 53151
