Bray Creech Obtains CFP® Certifications

Khrista Wood
— December 22, 2017

Bray Creech has obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification. Bray has worked at Joel Adams – Raymond James Financial Services since 2014. He and Joel Adams, Registered Investment Advisor Representative, deliver a team approach to all …

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How to maximize your Social Security survivor benefit

Bray Creech, MBA, CPA, CFP®
Asheville Citizen Times — December 17, 2017

I recently heard a statistic that stopped me in my tracks: 80 percent of American men die married whereas 80 percent of American women die single.

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Financial planning: Your year-end to-do list, for balance and giving

Bray Creech, MBA, CPA, CFP®
Asheville Citizen-Times — October 22, 2017

I love making lists. I’ll make a list for anything: what to do at work, what to do on the weekend, what to worry about, what not to worry about. Compulsive list-makers know that lists keep us focused and that it’s incredibly satisfying to cross things off as we complete them. There are worse habits, right?

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Approaching retirement? Heed these tips for financial management

Bray Creech, MBA, CPA, CFP®
Asheville Citizen-Times — September 19, 2017

Recently I was talking with some friends, a lovely couple in their 60s who are contemplating retirement in the near future. Like many baby boomers, their retirement will not be supported by a pension.

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Socially responsible investing: Can it work in Asheville?

Bray Creech, MBA, CPA, CFP®
Asheville Citizens-Times — August 20, 2017

It’s fun to read some of the bumper stickers here in Asheville: “Clean and Green.” “Save the Earth, There’s no Planet B.” One of my personal favorites: “May the FOREST be with you.”

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Investment advice: ‘Emotional cycle’ will cost you money

Bray Creech, MBA, CPA, CFP®
Asheville Citizen-Times — July 9, 2017

There’s an adage that your investments are like bars of soap: The more you handle them, the smaller they get.

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May 29 means it’s time to plan kids’ college savings

Bray Creech, MBA, CPA, CFP®
Asheville Citizen-Times — May 14, 2017

I will go out on a limb and assume that May 29 — 529 College Savings Day — is not marked on your calendar. But if you’re a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, maybe it should be.

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Financial advice: Save for retirement or reduce debt?

Bray Creech, MBA, CPA, CFP®
Asheville Citizen-Times — April 13, 2017

When presented with many choices, especially if I like all the choices, I have a hard time committing to just one. At The Hop Ice Cream Café or Wedge Brewing Co., for example, I’m easily overwhelmed: “YES! I want all the ice cream, and I want all the beer!”

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Classical Meets Hip-Hop: Proud to Support “Mozartistic”

Writer
— April 10, 2017

Supporting youth and the arts are longtime priorities for our office, so when the Asheville Symphony approached us about supporting its latest recording project, a CD titled “Mozartistic,” it was a perfect match. “Mozartistic” features Grammy-winning k …

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Guest financial column: Adding optimism to your plan

Bray Creech, MBA, CPA, CFP®
Asheville Citizen-Times — March 12, 2017

While it is well-documented that an optimistic attitude can improve your overall physical well-being, a positive approach may also improve your chances of achieving your financial goals.

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Guest column: Diversify your retirement tax burden

Bray Creech, MBA, CPA, CFP®
Asheville Citizen-Times — January 24, 2017

There is a lot of buzz about upcoming changes to the tax code. Lowering federal income tax rates is a known priority for congress and the incoming president. Whatever happens, it’s a reminder that federal and state tax rates are largely out of our control.

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