1. Explain to Nicholas and Marita why personal financial planning is crucial to their future. Why are Principles 1 and 2 important if they choose to seek professional advice? How might the behavioral finance biases of mental accounting and sunk costs influence their response to the professional's advice?
2. Using the information in Table 1.1, estimate the cost of raising Jarred and the twins from birth to age 18 if the Delgados' current annual income is approximately $95,000 and both parents plan to continue working full-time.
3. Explain how understanding and applying Principles 3 and 8 will be critical to funding the children's education.
4. Setting financial goals involves specifically defining the goal, its future cost, and the future time when the money will be needed. Write a specific and realistic goal for funding the children's education.
5. In addition to funding the children's education, name two other short-, intermediate-, and long-term goals the Delgados should consider as they revise their financial plan.
6. With three children to consider, how might Principles 5, 6, and 7 pertain to the Delgados' situation?
Nicholas and Marita Delgados, from Rochester, Minnesota, are the proud new parents of twin daughters. This was quite a shock to them and 2-year-old Jarred. They were not prepared for twins, and this has muddled their financial plans, as well as most everything else! They had planned to pay for education costs, but now they are unsure of how to prepare for having three children in college at the same time. They love their family and truly believe that money isn't everything, but their dream to retire early and travel seems to be fading with every new expense.