Financial Awakenings

Rick In The Washington Times

Rick was recently quoted in a Washington Times story by Karen Goldberg Goff, "Always In Hock."  The article, which ran on Sunday, January 7th, 2007, profiled overspending couples. 

Goff says of Rick, "South Dakota financial planner Rick Kahler, author of the book The Financial Wisdom of Ebenezer Scrooge, says overspending has little to do with how much money one makes. "I can think of one couple who makes $350,000 but spends $400,000 and one who makes $700,000 but spends $1.2 million," he says. "It is totally relative. One can make $30,000 a year and overspend as easily as someone who makes a million."

Probably the most notable aspect of the article to those close to Rick was the fact that he originally thought he was interviewed by the Washington Post and was calling his DC friends asking for copies.  He now has several copies of the January 7 Washington Post!

One other notable correction that was left out of the story was the fact that Rick is not THE author of The Financial Wisdom of Ebenezer Scrooge, but a co-author with Drs. Ted and Brad Klontz.

You can read the article by clicking here.

Olivia Mellan Interviews Rick on Marriage and Money

Listen to Rick's first interview of 2007 with talk show host Olivia Mellan, on WWDB-AM 850, an exclusive financial news and information station in Philadelphia, PA.  The topic of today's interview was how money issues can destroy a marriage relationship.  Learn how you can identify trouble spots and what to do, before it's too late. Click here to listen.

More Scrooge Reviews

The financial press is taking advantage of the season to review The Financial Wisdom of Ebenezer Scrooge, the book I co-authored with Drs. Ted and Brad Klontz. So far the reviews this month have reached a readership of over 1,700,000 people. I am hoping that just 10% of them will buy the book!

Here are the links to the recent reviews by Eileen Smith of the New Jersey Cherry Hill Courier-Post, Susan Morris of the The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Greg Wiles of the Honolulu Advertiser.

In her review, Morris pens, "If you like self-help books (I do), you may find the exercises in the book useful. Ebenezer Scrooge transformed himself in 12 hours. It's likely the rest of us will take considerably longer. But it's never too late to start."

They were both great reviews, even considering the fact that the copy desk of the Tribune decided to improve upon the spelling of my name.

Daily Record and Wheaton Sun Give Great Reviews of Scrooge

Warren Boroson of the Daily Record recently reviewed The Financial Wisdom of Ebenezer Scrooge.  Boroson writes, "The authors make the provocative point that Bob Cratchit, who works for Scrooge and is the father of Tiny Tim, has neurotic money problems, too."

Mark Berg of the Wheaton Sun also reviewed Scrooge, calling it a "good choice" for anyone wanting to improve their money relationship and looking for great Christmas gift.

You can read Boroson's review here and Berg's here.

Scrooge Reviewed by the Rockford Register Star

Bruce Brinkman, CFP, a business columnist for the Rockford Register Star, wrote a very positive review of The Financial Wisdom of Ebenezer Scrooge in his Sunday column on December 3. As always, we appreciate the kind words we've received from the financial press on our groundbreaking work, and we look forward to Scrooge hitting the New York Times best seller list, soon!  You can read his review by clicking here.

Also, if you haven't filled out your Christmas list, consider giving the gift of financial transformation to those you love by stuffing a copy of Scrooge in their stockings this year.   You can order Scrooge online by clicking here.

Portland Herald Gives Scrooge A Favorable Review

The Portland Herald's financial columnist, Jeff Bogue, recently reviewed The Financial Wisdom of Ebenezer Scrooge.  You can read his review here.

Kahler Nominated As "Mover and Shaker" by Financial Planning Magazine

I am honored to have been nominated by Financial Planning magazine for the second year in a row as a "Mover and Shaker" in the financial planning profession. Of course, being nominated for the honor two years in a row means I didn't make the cut as an actual mover and shaker last year and they are giving me another chance!  Maybe my fortune will change this year, who knows. If you would like to cast a vote for the five top "Movers and Shakers," here is a link to their website:  click here.

CFP Board Newsletters Feature Kahler

In the past month my practice was featured in two CFP Board publications. Both articles explored the ground-breaking work I do in integrated financial planning.  The first article appeared in the October consumer newsletter "It's Your Turn" and was titled "What I learned from Ebenezer Scrooge."  The second one appeared in the November newsletter sent to CFP's and was titled "Where Financial Planning Meets Psychotherapy." 

Olivia Mellan Interview with Rick and Ted onWWDB-AM 860

Rick and co-author Ted Klontz were guests today of Olivia Mellon on her radio talk show that airs weekly on WWDB-AM 860 in Philedelphia.   Olivia is a therapist who may be considered the grandmother of financial therapy, having written six or more books on the topic of emotions and money, which include Overcoming Overspending, Money Harmony, and Money Psychology.  I first heard Olivia speak at the 1995 ICFP retreat in San Diego along with Jacob Needleman.  That was the start of my journey to integrated financial planning.  However, let me stress, that Olivia doesn't look old enough to be a grandmother of anything! 

This interview gives a look into the work that Rick and Ted have pioneered around uncovering hidden beliefs about money and how their book, The Financial Wisdom of Ebeneezer Scrooge, came into being.  Click here to listen to the interview: Download 0610interview_with_olivia_mellon.mp3

Bloomberg Lists KFG Largest Financial Planner In 7 State Area

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO RICK'S COLUMN: Download bloomberg_rates_kfg_top_planning_firm.mp3

I recently came across a quote from award-winning writer Robert Silverberg that pretty much summed up how I wanted to open this article:

“My temperament is not inclined toward more self-promotion than is absolutely necessary for my professional well-being.”

Those of you who know me well, know that I let life keep my ego in check. Occasionally however, some exciting news shines down upon us here that is somewhat difficult to suppress. And since it affects you and your decision to have Kahler Financial Group provide you with financial planning and investment services, I feel it is appropriate to share it.

In the August 2006 issue of Bloomberg’s Wealth Manager’s magazine, Kahler Financial Group was honored as one of the top financial planning firms in the nation.

The survey, which ranks firms by the size of the average client's assets, ranked Kahler Financial Group as the largest financial planning firm in a seven state area. Those states include: South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa. Add the state of Minnesota, and shockingly, KFG is the second largest firm in the surrounding eight state area and third in a ten state area when you add Kansas and Oklahoma.

Bloomberg limits their listing to the 400 planning firms in the nation. When compared to the entire United States, KFG is 126th, up from 212th last year.

Now, here is another startling fact; KFG is the largest or second largest financial planning firm in over 50% of the United States, that's 26 states in all! Here is a complete list of those states and our ranking withing the state:

• Maine - 1st
• New Hampshire - 1st
• Kentucky - 1st
• Rhode Island - 1st
• Mississippi - 1st
• Arkansas - 1st
• West Virginia - 1st
• Idaho - 2nd
• Oregon - 2nd
• Louisiana - 2nd
• Vermont - 2nd
• Conneticut - 2nd
• New Mexico - 2nd
• North Carolina - 2nd
• South Carolina - 2nd
• Nevada - 2nd
• Wisconsin - 3rd
• Michigan - 3rd
• Tennessee - 3rd
• Alabama - 3rd
• Missouri - 4th
• Colorado -5th
• Texas - 5th

I just can’t help but to be especially proud of our team here at KFG, your team actually, and the stellar work that takes place here. Once again, we wish to thank you for your continued business and trust. As important as this news is to us, we realize that it would not be possible without our clients and our support in the business community.

I wish you a happy and safe summer, and I look forward to speaking with you soon.