Get With The Plan is a weekly money makeover feature. Readers contact Karin with their money problems, and Karin sets them up with Certified Financial Planners who help devise a plan for the family. The last Get With The Plan article was published on October 19, 2014.
Before we get to the archive, here’s the legalese:
Get With The Plan involves readers anonymously divulging their personal financial information in exchange for free advice from a professional. The feature is designed to illuminate personal-finance concepts and isn’t a substitute for actual financial planning or dedicated professional advice.
2014
Get with the plan – October 19, 2014
Get with the plan – October 12, 2014
Get with the plan – October 5, 2014
Get with the plan- September 28, 2014
Get with the plan – September 21, 2014
Get with the plan – September 14, 2014
Restructure assets to free up thousands – September 7, 2014
Their age gap creates a lot for husband, wife to juggle – August 31, 2014
In footing college bill, mom must limit debt – August 24, 2014
Secure financial future needs solid foundation – August 17, 2014
Being too conservative could be costly for pair – August 10, 2014
80 year old has big plans for herself and for her heirs – August 3, 2014
Hard choices necessary for pair in constant debt – July 27, 2014
Strategies for ensuring stress-free retirement – July 20, 2014
For a debt-free couple, many strategies pay – July 13, 2014
Before retiring, couple must take vital steps – July 6, 2014
Delaying his retirement just one year a big help – June 29, 2014
Duo have two paths to retirement success – June 22, 2014
Working a bit longer key to a secure future – June 15, 2014
Care, not cash, is key to couple’s retirement – June 8, 2014
Couple need to lessen risks before retirement – June 1, 2014
Couple must curtail spending if they want to retire in style – May 25, 2014
Woman, 59, will need to wait a few more years for retirement – May 18, 2014
Smart savings habits give pair plenty of options in retirement – May 11, 2014
Estate planning is key to preserving wealth – May 4, 2014
Savings put pair on right path – April 27, 2014
An early retirement not in cards for couple – April 20, 2014
Retirement must wait well into golden years – April 13, 2014
Delaying retirement will ease their worry – April 6, 2014
Charity should begin, but not end, at home – March 30, 2014
With tomorrow well set, pair must focus on today – March 23, 2014
Buy property to invest in a comfortable future – March 16, 2014
Illness adds uncertainty to pair’s solid finances – March 9, 2014
Retiree needs to look into selling property – March 2, 2014
Marriage allows couple financial peace of mind – February 23, 2014
For unemployed man, future depends on job – February 16, 2014
For pair, early retirement might be too big a risk – February 9, 2014
With a little tweaking, they’ll be good to go – February 2, 2014
Couple on right track to a dream retirement – January 26, 2014
Work on paying off mortgage – January 19, 2014
Planning is essential for cash-rich couple – January 12, 2014
New Year’s resolutions to protect your finances – January 5, 2014
2013
Rare retirement advice: Spend money, have fun – December 29, 2013
Good financial shape, but consider health – December 22, 2013
Couple can achieve two big-ticket goals – December 15, 2013
At 60, he’s set for a long, comfortable retirement – December 8, 2013
To understand investing, you must first define it – December 1, 2013
Paying for college for three kids – November 24, 2013
Conversion to Roth IRA offers greater flexibility – November 17, 2013
Retirement within their reach – November 10, 2013
Couple should consider gifting assets to family – November 3, 2013
Couple’s financial goals look well within reach – October 27, 2013
Smart investments key to this early retirement – October 20, 2013
Estate planning crucial when faced with illness – October 13, 2013
Retiree can ease tax worries – October 6, 2013
Before her wedding next year, 30-year-old must pay off debt – September 29, 2013
Guaranteed annuity a wrinkle for savings – September 22, 2013
For couple in their 20s, first home within reach – September 15, 2013
Couple’s retirement forecast looks sunny – September 8, 2013
Couple need to rethink plan to repay college bills – September 1, 2013
After job loss, couple need to reassess risks – August 25, 2013
At 70, she can retire — if she plays it smart – August 18, 2013
Retirement looks good with refinancing tweak – August 11, 2013
Couple can enjoy life and still leave a legacy – August 4, 2013
Get a job — any job, for now – July 28, 2013
A 22-year-old’s start on financial success – July 21, 2013
Grandson prompts financial challenge – July 14, 2013
This family is running out of time and money – July 7, 2013
Good saving habits put early retirement in reach – June 30, 2013
Couple need to review their asset allocation – June 23, 2013
Short-, long-term plans needed to dig out of debt – June 16, 2013
Way too much cash on hand – June 9, 2013
Same-sex couple need to rethink retirement – June 2, 2013
Time to switch tracks to avoid a train wreck – May 26, 2013
Paying 50 percent for college is looking within reach – May 19, 2013
Couple should adjust the route to retirement – May 12, 2013
Aversion to risk may hinder retirement goals – May 5, 2013
Divorce leaves financial mess – April 28, 2013
Early retirement looks very doable for him – April 21, 2013
Pair must build up cash while paying down debt – April 14, 2013
They’re right on track for an early retirement – April 7, 2013
Long-term care policy and they’ll be all set – March 31, 2013
Setback needn’t deter couple from their goals – March 24, 2013
Cost of long-term care is couple’s main worry – March 17, 2013
Long-term savings put couple on right track – March 10, 2013
A diversified portfolio is key for retirement – March 3, 2013
Man is in good shape to retire immediately – Feb. 24, 2013
Early retirement not the best plan for pair – Feb. 17, 2013
Asset allocation vital as retirement nears – Feb. 10, 2013
With one out of work, couple look to future – Feb. 3, 2013
Disciplined savers need to adjust their asset mix – Jan. 27, 2013
7-year age difference is a factor for couple – Jan. 20, 2013
Couple needs to delay taking Social Security – Jan. 13, 2013
Couple’s plan to retire appears premature – Jan. 6, 2013
2012
Selling home is key to retiring in comfort – Dec. 30, 2012
Save well, plan ahead, enjoy early retirement – Dec. 23, 2012
Lower risk will raise chances for success – Dec. 16, 2012
Diversifying portfolio will maintain savings – Dec. 9, 2012
Refinance would help couple meet its goals – Dec. 2, 2012
Tweaks help ensure retirement goals met – Nov. 25, 2012
Retired couple needs to adjust investments – Nov. 18, 2012
Debt-free duo’s goals are within their reach – Nov. 11, 2012
Consistent savings key to couple’s success – Nov. 4, 2012
Planning is key to new home – Oct. 28, 2012
Saving for child’s education – Oct. 21, 2012
Tax liability holding pair back – Oct. 14, 2012
Couple needs rental to bankroll retirement – Oct. 7, 2012
Matriarch looking out for family and herself – Sept. 30, 2012
No debt, low expenses key to retirement plan – Sept. 23, 2012
San Francisco-bound for their golden years – Sept. 16, 2012
Taking a little risk now can ease finances later – Sept. 9, 2012
Equity can help couple on family, home needs – Sept. 2, 2012
Window of opportunity can hinge on diversity – Aug. 26, 2012
If couple retire early, they may regret it later – Aug. 19, 2012
Home equity can boost disciplined pair’s cash – Aug. 12, 2012
Couple’s degree of risk key to semi-retirement– Aug. 5, 2012
Refinancing their mortgage can help fund colleges plan – July 29, 2012
The time to scale back couple’s debt is now – July 22, 2012
Retiree should avoid a lump-sum pension – July 15, 2012
A few years of frugality can lead to retirement – July 8, 2012
Rising college costs dim early retirement hopes – July 1, 2012
Couple ask if they’re doing the right thing – June 24, 2012
Dancing to retirement may carry a high price – June 17, 2012
Funding education will require pension’s help – June 10, 2012
Vacation home is a variable in their retirement scenario – June 3, 2012
Marriage could change retirement planning – May 27, 2012
With a few tweaks, their future is secure – May 20, 2012
To secure retirement, she should postpone it – May 13, 2012
28 and unemployed, yet future looks secure – May 6, 2012
Balancing risk tolerance puts retirement in reach – April 29, 2012
For couple, balance key to retirement bliss – April 22, 2012
Sell home or refinance, but get rid of the ARM – April 15, 2012
More work to do for a secure future – April 8, 2012
Longevity, foresight on this couple’s side – April 1, 2012
Retirement and college goals are within reach – March 25, 2012
Making changes now adds to stability in future – March 18, 2012
They can keep the life they’re accustomed to – March 11, 2012
With just a few tweaks, parents can reach goals – March 4, 2012
Downsizing now means stability for retirement – Feb. 26, 2012
Couple plan to make a move to stay afloat – Feb. 19, 2012
Couple packing up before they pack it in – Feb. 12, 2012
Savings that can last this couple’s lifetime – Feb. 5, 2012
Current needs trump long-term ambitions – Jan. 29, 2012
Going out on a limb key to longevity risk – Jan. 22, 2012
Couple set sights on snowbird future – Jan. 15, 2012
Couple works to get most out of savings – Jan. 8, 2012
If parents save today, they’ll be okay tomorrow– Jan. 1, 2012
2011
New baby, new costs for cash-strapped pair– Dec. 25, 2011
Consolidate to simplify retirement planning – Dec. 18, 2011
Growing family started with strong foundation – Dec. 11, 2011
Couples future looks secure, so they should focus on now – Dec. 4, 2011
After a bit of tweaking, they’ll be set to retire – Nov. 27, 2011
Couple need to add up their retirement costs – Nov. 20, 2011
Retirement requires mixed income stream – Nov. 13, 2011
Pair’s greener pastures seeded by sound goals – Nov. 6, 2011
Savings offer chance to retire, grow funds – Oct. 30, 2011
Retiring with umbrella over couple’s heads – Oct. 23, 2011
Small changes pay off– Oct. 16, 2011
Couple’s conundrum: two homes or retirement? – Oct. 9, 2011
Couple on right track for early retirement – Oct. 2, 2011
Ready to retire, but will their money last? – Sept. 25, 2011
Couple on right track to enjoy retirement – Sept. 18, 2011
Pensions offer safety for early retirement – Sept. 11, 2011
An early retirement within reach for couple – Sept. 4, 2011
Couple need to keep their giving in balance – Aug. 28, 2011
Retirement requires a little less market risk – Aug. 21, 2011
Retirees need change to make money last – Aug. 14, 2011
Maintaining expenses preserves their goal – Aug. 7, 2011
Couple in their 70s want to aid grandkids – July 31, 2011
Morris County couple on track to retire at 65 – July 24, 2011
Low debt, wise saving can fund family goals – July 17, 2011
College debt delaying couple’s retirement – July 10, 2011
Couple want budget to last until age 100 – July 3, 2011
With a few tweaks, they can reach goal – June 26, 2011
Following big setback, couple play catch-up – June 19, 2011
Reaching a milestone in financial planning – June 12, 2011
Wealthy couple must keep retirement budget in hand – June 5, 2011
Young investor’s happy dilemma: Excess cash – May 29, 2011
Keep inflation in mind in retirement budget – May 22, 2011
If she whittles her risk, she can reach her goals – May 15, 2011
Trim spending now, retire in paradise later – May 8, 2011
Recent job loss forces pair to reassess their retirement – May 1, 2011
Big plans, no income require some changes – April 24, 2011
Would home get in way of her desire to travel? – April 17, 2011
Reconsidering priorities in a time of uncertainty – April 10, 2011
For couple to retire, big changes needed – April 3, 2011
Retirement looks good, but there is one big risk – March 27, 2011
Watch nest egg grow by delaying retirement – March 20, 2011
Couple hope to spend retirement in two states – March 13, 2011
Too much cash affects ability to realize goals – March 6, 2011
Couple close to getting retirement they desire – Feb. 27, 2011
Careful spending key to couple’s retirement – Feb. 20, 2011
Stabilize your portfolio before your retirement – Feb. 13, 2011
Protecting portfolio must be top priority – Feb. 6, 2011
Planning your future amid fading pensions – Jan. 30, 2011
Recovering from debt after maternity leave – Jan. 23, 2011
For couple, age gap may hinder retirement – Jan. 16, 2011
Couple in good shape for early retirement – Jan. 9, 2011
Figuring out the future as a newly single man – Jan. 2, 2011
2010
Couple hope to fine a home for extra cash – Dec. 26, 2010
Use savings to survive layoff, not retire early – Dec. 19, 2010
A boost in insurance will help pair’s security – Dec. 12, 2010
Early retirement will be tougher than it seems – Dec. 5, 2010
The ‘bucket approach’ may help pair retire well – Nov. 28, 2010
On the correct path for early retirement – Nov. 21, 2010
College, early retirement top list of couple’s goals – Nov. 14, 2010
These savers on track for early retirement – Nov. 7, 2010
Savings and pension put couple on track to retire – Oct. 31, 2010
Couple taking steps to retire at age 65 – Oct. 24, 2010
Gifting and investment shifts clear road to cozier retirement – Oct. 17, 2010
An enhanced cash flow key to retirement success – Oct. 10, 2010
With great responsibility comes great(er) assets – Oct. 3, 2010
Annuity is a big missing piece in securing retirement cushion – Sept. 26, 2010
Couple’s cozy retirement hinges on reining in costs – Sept. 19, 2010
Retirees hope to travel, contribute to college funds – Sept. 12, 2010
Couple seek to balance college and other goals – Sept. 5, 2010
When money’s in hand, why put off retirement? – Aug. 29, 2010
Ditch one home and reap benefits in retirement – Aug. 22, 2010
Major setback after layoff doesn’t have to ruin future – Aug. 15, 2010
Well-paid couple need savings cushion if they fall – Aug. 8, 2010
Saving for retirement is about to pay off – Aug. 1, 2010
Selling home best way to get free of big debt – July 25, 2010
Couple must take steps to recover from job loss – July 18, 2010
College for three will take preparation – July 11, 2010
Selling added homes critical to retirement – July 4, 2010
Couple can retire with impressive cash flow – June 27, 2010
Strong pension helps, but don’t retire yet – June 20, 2010
Ways to control cash during golden years – June 13, 2010
Financial puzzle omits $27K in annual budget – June 6, 2010
Couple starting late in saving for college – May 30, 2010
Debt-free living eases saving for retirement – May 23, 2010
Pair would save more with a few key moves – May 16, 2010
Pair must pick options before their big move – May 9, 2010
Key to couple’s savings could be consolidation – May 2, 2010
Smart moves will help pair weather a financial storm – April 25, 2010
Woman’s frugality will pay off in the long run – April 18, 2010
Advice for young couple: Don’t bank on one stock – April 11, 2010
Couple need to keep focus on future college costs – April 4, 2010
Juggling college funds and future retirement – March 28, 2010
Couple in good shape, but could save more – March 21, 2010
Cut back on spending now and live well later – March 14, 2010
Life insurance mitigates risk if pension runs out in long term – March 7, 2010
Retirees safe, but must be mindful of expenses – Feb. 28, 2010
Couple need to keep eye on inflation in retirement – Feb. 21, 2010
Pair must focus on savings, not purchasing a new home – Feb. 14, 2010
Financially fit couple need to consider pension plans – Feb. 7, 2010
Pair’s financial shape better than they think – Jan. 31, 2010
Reducing experiments key to retirement dreams – Jan. 24, 2010
Amid changes, couple keep eye on the future – Jan. 17, 2010
Reallocating nest egg will make money last – Jan. 10, 2010
Planning eases worry over difference in age – Jan. 3, 2010
2009
No debt, lots of options – Dec. 27, 2009
Early retirement could throw couple a curveball later on – Dec. 20, 2009
Single mom’s finances need some reworking – Dec. 13, 2009
The 100% solution to pair’s retirement – Dec. 6, 2009
Woman’s unusual situation requires extra attention – Nov. 29, 2009
Pension benefits seem to be the centerpiece of the bigger picture – Nov. 22, 2009
Planning for early retirement? Consider long term expenses – Nov. 15, 2009
Couple on way to smooth retirement, but first diversify – Nov. 8, 2009
Couple living within means can afford to take more risks – Nov. 1, 2009
Delaying retirement better for budget – Oct. 25, 2009
Retirees’ cash flow clears way for southern comfort – Oct. 18, 2009
Couple need to monitor expenses – Oct. 11, 2009
Pair have ‘solid foundation’ – Oct. 4, 2009
Pair’s emergency fund pays off, but there’s still goals to be accomplished – Sept. 27, 2009
Mother of two must focus on own retirement needs – Sept. 20, 2009
Conservative investors must be more aggressive – Sept. 13, 2009
Pair can take steps to make money last – Sept. 6, 2009
Diversifying the key to comfortable nest egg – Aug. 30, 2009
Conservative investor needs to take more risks – Aug. 23, 2009
Woman’s dilemma: Pay off mortgage or hike savings? – Aug. 16, 2009
Saving more should be couple’s top priority – Aug. 9, 2009
Couple would reap more from a delayed retirement – Aug. 2, 2009
Couple’s lifestyle promises good things in retirement – July 26, 2009
Tax savings main concern for pair of recent retirees – July 19, 2009
Young couple taking the time to confront IRA issues now – July 12, 2009
Couple financially fit for next stages of life – July 5, 2009
Get with your plan: For our 300th case, experts offer advice anyone can follow – June 28, 2009
Boomer must do the math to see when she can retire – June 21, 2009
Goals for retirement don’t fit pair’s budget – June 14, 2009
Proper funding is critical for couple’s hefty goals – June 7, 2009
Couple’s savings practices will serve them well later – May 31, 2009
Discipline a crucial tool to help couple escape debt – May 24, 2009
Divorced mom must find more ways to save money – May 17, 2009
Some budget tweaks could help couple be fit in future – May 10, 2009
Couple must shed debt to get much needed relief – May 3, 2009
Couple braces for the worst: Thinking ahead’s a good start – April 26, 2009
Retired couple could benefit from a higher risk tolerance – April 19, 2009
Couple on right track to meeting long term goals – April 12, 2009
Tweaking their finances could boost pair’s savings – April 5, 2009
Couple face tough choices after taking on college debt – March 29, 2009
Couple’s finances look good as retirement approaches – March 22, 2009
Newlyweds off to good start with savings and insurance – March 15, 2009
Pair of ‘very good savers’ should stash more cash – March 8, 2009
Same-sex couple require extra financial planning – March 1, 2009
Saving for life’s emergencies a big step toward other goals – Feb. 15, 2009
Before early retirement, gain an understanding of cash flow – Feb. 8, 2009
Retirement needs to wait after pair’s assets take a hit – Feb. 1, 2009
Pair’s money dilemma: What to do with pension – Jan. 25, 2009
Couple well on their way to meeting next big goal – Jan. 18, 2009
Planning can help couple maximize extensive savings – Jan. 11, 2009
Couple need to reposition savings to meet their goal – Jan. 4, 2009
2008
Couple can feel the pressure of college costs, retirement – Dec. 28, 2008
Some things for man to do before living his dream – Dec. 21, 2008
Soon-to-be-retirees face several difficult choices – Dec. 14, 2008
Don’t short retirement plan in favor of college for kids – Dec. 7, 2008
Couple can easily realize their retirement dreams – Nov. 30, 2008
Reining in needless purchases can boost debt reduction plan – Nov. 23, 2008
Dealing with large debt now makes way to save for future – Nov. 16, 2008
‘Miscellaneous’ spending dooms long-term savings – Nov. 9, 2008
Unemployed woman facing tough choices – Nov. 2, 2008
Couple’s grand dreams have time on their side – Oct. 26, 2008
Big choice: College aid or a vacation home? – Oct. 12, 2008
Couple’s retirement plan in need of a good tune-up – Oct. 5, 2008
Couple can benefit from more tax savings – Sept. 28, 2008
She’ll have to work – and saving needs tweak – Sept. 21, 2008
Inflation and longevity threaten couple’s goals – Sept. 14, 2008
Couple’s focus shifts from college to retiring – Sept. 7, 2008
A full financial plate: 2 mortgages and 4 kids – Aug. 31, 2008
Sell the second home to open college doors – Aug. 24, 2008
College costs disrupting pair’s retirement goals – Aug. 17, 2008
Couple can afford to retire while keeping eye on assets – Aug. 10, 2008
Couple’s portfolio needs a less conservative tack – Aug. 3, 2008
How this saver can polish a bright retirement plan – July 27, 2008
Step up the job search to sidestep a foreclosure – July 20, 2008
First build the nest egg, then purchase the nest – July 13, 2008
Travelers hope to retire with funds for trekking – July 6, 2008
Bachelor has enough to retire in high style – June 29, 2008
Some big ‘ifs’ looming in couple’s fiscal path – June 22, 2008
Couple seek to balance parenting and finances – June 15, 2008
Some advice for Violet, so her finances can bloom – June 8, 2008
Pair need to sharpen their retirement vision – June 1, 2008
After career changes, couple face reality – May 25, 2008
Single woman’s need: A vacation account – May 18, 2008
Steps couple must take for a carefree retirement – May 11, 2008
A family’s twofold joy brings double the worry – May 4, 2008
To be a freelance writer, a cushion of cash helps – April 20, 2008
Change in her pension spurs a new appraisal – April 13, 2008
Couple have the green, they just need insurance – April 6, 2008
A short-term sacrifice for a long-term gain – March 30, 2008
A couple contemplate retirement, renovation – March 23, 3008
Couple’s only soft spot is their term insurance – March 16, 2008
How to retire, travel and throw a wedding – March 9, 2008
This couple’s big plans call for some savings – March 2, 2008
Couple’s big challenge: A negative cash flow – Feb. 17, 2008
Even with college costs, couple in fine shape – Feb. 10, 2008
College costs far apart, but not too much for pair – Feb. 3, 2008
College costs challenge even this affluent pair – Jan. 27, 2008
The nest egg is plump, just a bit out of balance – Jan. 20, 2008
Couple need extra steps to protect their assets – Jan. 6, 2008
