On this episode of CFO at Home, Vince and Paul Compeau from Bridgewise Financial Partners discuss applying a ·think like a CFO· mindset to college planning. Paul shares some of his own personal missteps throughout his college planning process, and describes how to take a CFO-style approach to the process; mapping expected costs year-by-year, identifying funding sources, lowering the bill through school selection and financial-aid strategy, and preparing for what can go wrong. They also talk about the importance of choosing the right school, private college discount rates, and what high school counselors and college financial aid offices do and don·t bring to the table when it comes to college planning. For more on Paul and thinking like a CFO throughout the college planning process, go to .bridgewisefinancialpartners.com and click on ·College·.

01:03 Welcome + Why "Think Like a CFO" for College Planning

01:51 Paul's Personal College Mistakes (Late Apps, Transfers, Debt)

04:25 The Real Cost of Extra Years: Tuition + Lost Income

07:03 Defining the CFO Mindset: Love for Kids vs. Clear Financial Planning

12:58 Late-Stage Planning (10th Grade): First Steps & Honest Assessment

15:54 Two-Track Strategy: Student Fit Counseling + Financial Aid Planning

17:35 Maximizing Aid: Pick the Right School + Understand the Formulas

21:27 Why Guidance Counselors & Financial Aid Offices Aren't Your Best Advisors

27:42 Bridgewise College Planning: How They Help + Success Story

29:48 ROI, Selective Client Fit, and Final Takeaways

Key Links

• https://bridgewisecp.bridgewisefinancialpartners.com/

• https://www.youtube.com/@bridgewisefinancialpartner2789

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/pcompeau/

Contact the Host - [email protected]

Want to be a guest on CFO at Home? Send Vince a message on PodMatch, here:

https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1628643039567x840793309030672500