"M.Q. Experience: Tim Maurer on Fundamentals of Financial Life Planning Training"
“M.Q. Experience” articles allow our Licensees and supporters to share the experiences they have had as members of the M.Q. Community.In this “M.Q. Experience” post, Timothy J. Maurer, CFP®, recipient of the 2009 Ken Gillaspie Legacy Fund Scholarship, reflects upon his time attending the “Fundamentals of Financial Life Planning” Training session.
Tim is the Director of Financial Planning at the Financial Consulate. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner, a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors and the Financial Planning Association, and a graduate of Towson University, where he now teaches the Fundamentals of Financial Planning.
With a passion for both personal finance and public speaking, Tim has combined the two to educate students at his alma mater and consumers as a frequent guest on CNBC's personal finance show, "On the Money," as the co-host of "Money, Riches & Wealth," a weekly radio show in Baltimore, and as a seminar instructor for local companies and non-profit organizations.
We were happy to have Tim attend the May 2009 "Fundamentals of Financial Life Planning" Training session. Tim had this to say about his experience:
About half way into the seminar, another one of the attendees asked me, “So, how is the seminar matching up to your expectations?” I told him that I came to the seminar with enough background on Money Quotient to know that it would be “good,” enabling me to form the generally broad and loose expectations of 1) learning from a group of dedicated, like-minded professionals and 2) enjoying a change of pace in a beautiful area away from the everyday demands of the phone and computer. What I took from the seminar, however, exceeded my expectations in the most positive way possible.
On its surface, the seminar could be perceived as providing an opportunity to learn how to utilize the Money Quotient tools and integrate the concept of life planning into a practitioner’s existing system and practice. It certainly does that, but the greatest value I derived from the seminar was in being initiated into a vibrant, purposeful community. Although the group was small, it was diverse. Some came because they want to offer a better service to their already successful traditional financial planning practice. Others attended as an outgrowth of their faith, making a completely new career change into the financial planning business, with a life planning focus. However, no one came because they thought that they were creating the next great financial “mouse trap.” At its worst, life planning is a manipulative mechanism to sell financial stuff; but at its best, it is a holistic, altruistic endeavor to provide a more meaningful service to clients than can’t be quantified in dollars and cents. I joined a community of folks intentionally pursuing the latter.
This trip for me was especially unique and exceptional because it came as a gift. The Ken Gillaspie Legacy Fund saw fit to send me to Washington State as the recipient of their annual scholarship. As an east coast planner, I never had the privilege to benefit from Ken’s influence during his life, but I connected to his story primarily because of our shared passions—financial planning and music.
As an artist, my only fear in attending this workshop was that it would prescribe to me a system, stripping me of my rebellious, creative instinct to find my own path with the tools. Anyone who has met M.Q. President and CEO, Carol Anderson, is laughing because they know how kind and collaborative she is. As we know, the most effective leaders do so as servant leaders. Carol may be the personification of that, and Amy and Katrina compliment Carol very well.
It is my hope that the relationships that I’ve been fortunate to cement with The Ken Gillaspie Legacy Fund and Money Quotient in May of 2009 will be long lasting and I encourage you to share in the blessing of their community as well.In the “M.Q. Experience” articles, our Licensees and supporters share the experiences they have had as members of the M.Q. Community.In the “M.Q. Experience” articles, our Licensees and supporters share the experiences they have had as members of the M.Q. Community.
We thank Tim for his kind and thoughtful endorsement of Money Quotient and the "Fundamentals of Financial Life Planning" Training course. We look forward to Tim's future involvement in the M.Q. Community.
The Money Quotient Team
Carol, Amy, and Katrina
Posted by The Money Quotient Team at 7/9/2009 12:12 PM 
Categories: M.Q. Experience
Tags: Guest Writers M.Q. Community Ken Gillaspie Legacy Fund M.Q. Learning Opportunities FFLP Training
Categories: M.Q. Experience
Tags: Guest Writers M.Q. Community Ken Gillaspie Legacy Fund M.Q. Learning Opportunities FFLP Training
Thank you for this entry. As one who is a middle aged career changer wanting desperately to do things right, your comments strengthen my belief that Financial Life Planning is the very best way to enrich my clients lives as well as mine and my family.
Life is scary right now and I am having to make many tough choices in order to see my dream through. But I am committed to doing so and despite the pressure, am so enjoying the journey.
Thank you again.
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