The MEFA Podcast

Episode #97. Host Jonathan Hughes first talks with co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna about the U.Fund Gift of College Cards, a new development that allows friends and family members to easily contribute to your college savings account by purchasing a gift card. They then go to the MEFA Mailbag to discuss the difference between an individual 529 account and a custodial account. Finally, Jonathan has a conversation with Team Leader of the 529 Directing Group at Fidelity Investments, Anthony Durkan, about MEFA’s partnership with Fidelity Investments and the results of the recent College Savings Indicator (CSI) study, including the ways that families are saving for college and parents’ behaviors, attitudes, and expectations around saving for college. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #95. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Cory Latham, the Director at Fidelity Investments responsibility for managing the MEFA U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan and the Attainable® Savings Plan for individuals with disabilities. Jonathan and Cory discuss Attainable® investments, the difference between Attainable® and other ABLE accounts, Cory’s work in the community, and more. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #93. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with MEFA’s Director of ABLE Outreach, Adam Hartwell, about ABLE accounts, tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. But first, co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna answers a MEFA Mailbag question about MEFA’s loan origination process. Then Jonathan and Adam discuss the specifics of ABLE accounts, the eligibility criteria, who can fund an account, and more. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #83. Host Jonathan Hughes talks college savings investing with Cory Latham, Managing Director and 529 Relationship Manager at Fidelity Investments. Jonathan and Cory discuss 529 accounts, how Fidelity approaches investing, the ways Fidelity works with customers to determine the best way to invest, and challenges that arise when saving for college. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #73. Host Jonathan Hughes talks with Amanda Sharratt, Chief Operating Officer and Financial Advisor for Whitaker Myers Wealth Managers, who shares financial advice for families as they plan for college, manage debt, and save for retirement. They discuss Amanda’s background, how to prepare financially for college costs, strategies for repaying loans and other debt, and balancing saving for college and retirement. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #55. Host Jonathan Hughes and co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna discuss some upcoming changes to 529 college savings plans in light of College Savings Month. Then, they go to the MEFA Mailbag and answer a question about how parents should report taxes paid on the FAFSA. Finally, Jonathan has a conversation with the BabySteps Director of Program Evaluation Daphna Gluck on what the BabySteps Program is, its success so far, program improvements, and a brand new initiative, SNAP into BabySteps. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #53. Host Jonathan Hughes first talks to co-host Julie Shields-Rutyna about an online panel she moderated with Robert Dais, Director of GEAR UP Robert Dais, Iris Godes, Dean of Strategic Enrollment Management at Framingham State University, Monica Blonden, Assistant Dean of Enrollment for Financial Aid at Assumption University, Jillian Glaze, Director of Financial Aid at Bunker Hill Community College, and Dr. Clantha McCurdy, Senior Deputy Commissioner at the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance. They discuss the Massachusetts campaign The Time is Now for students still making a plan for college this fall. Then they go to the MEFA Mailbag where they answer a question about parents with foreign tax returns. Finally, Jonathan has a discussion about Attainable®, the ABLE Savings Plan, with Community Outreach Manager for MEFA Savings Programs Adam Hartwell. They discuss investing with Attainable®, benefits of the program, and the different types of qualified expenses. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #28. Saving for college may seem like an overwhelming task, but with the U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan, you can save in an account that offers affordability, flexibility, and powerful tax advantages. Host Jonathan Hughes speaks with Massachusetts guidance counselor and U.Fund account owner Kate Ryder about how she selected the U.Fund, her experience opening her account, how she’s able to save on a regular basis, and why saving for college is important to her. Jonathan is also joined by Julie Shields-Rutyna, MEFA’s Director of College Planning, who discusses how she used funds from her U.Fund account to pay the college bill for her two children and how families can begin saving for college with the BabySteps College Savings Plan. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #27. Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Chris Peterson, Founder and Director of Penny Forward, who discusses growing up with a disability, how he got involved in the personal finance community, and how people with disabilities can save for expenses and plan for the future with ABLE accounts. Jonathan is also joined by MEFA’s Director of College Planning, Education, and Training, Julie Shields-Rutyna, and Attainable® expert Mary Rubenis, who discuss what Attainable® accounts are and the benefits of saving in one. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.

Episode #21. Host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Shaun Connolly, Communications Associate at MEFA, and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of College Planning, Education, and Training at MEFA. Shaun discusses how he opened a U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan account for his son, how he saves for college, and how he created a college gifting page to encourage friends and family members to contribute to his college savings account. Jonathan and Julie answer listeners’ questions about saving for college and discuss the two Massachusetts college savings plans, the U.Fund College Investing Plan and the U.Plan Prepaid Tuition Program. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.