Sarah Mahaffa, CFP®

Image for Sarah Mahaffa

Sr. Wealth Advisor and
Manager of Financial Planning

Life is full of major decisions that may cause one to feel overwhelmed and as a result, those decisions may get put on the back burner. My passion is to understand what is truly important to my clients, educate them on relevant strategies, and help to implement a plan they can have confidence in. As a Wealth Advisor, clients rely on me to plan for some of the largest financial transactions of their lives. Whether saving for education, planning for retirement, or navigating a transition of wealth due to death or divorce, planning is a critical component of a successful outcome.

Professional Financial Planning Experience

  • 14 years of helping a diverse range of individuals with financial planning needs, wealth management strategies, and ultimately gaining clarity around their finances.

Career History

  • Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc., Sr. Wealth Advisor & Manager of Financial Planning
  • Charles Schwab, VP Financial Consultant
  • Charles Schwab, Associate Financial Consultant

Educational and Professional Designations

  • Certified Financial Planner™ certification
  • Bachelor of Science, Management and Accounting, Purdue University
  • Trained Financial Specialist for Collaborative Law divorces
  • Advanced Women Leaders (AWL), Bloombase

Professional Activities & Accolades

  • Women4Change, Finance Committee Member
  • St. Joan of Arc School, PTO member
  • CICF Professional Advisory Leadership Committee Member
  • 2021 Indy’s Best and Brightest Finalist
  • Integrating Woman Leaders, Former Board Co-Chair and Conference Planning Committee Chair
  • Coburn Place, Former Board Treasurer
  • Financial Planning Association
  • Recipient of Five Star Wealth Manager Award, Indianapolis Monthly, 2018 - 2022

Check out more fun facts about Sarah:

Meet Sarah Mahaffa, CFP® | Meet the BEdel Team


BLOG POSTS

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Dec 4, 2023

Worried about Healthcare Expenses?

Individuals with personal or group coverage (not Medicare) may have access to healthcare savings accounts that can be used independently or even paired together to maximize tax benefits.

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Aug 1, 2023

Personal Finance Hacks 101

Automation isn’t just for short-term needs. Many retirement plans allow you to automatically increase your retirement savings by 1% each calendar year. This small adjustment can often go unnoticed, but before long, you will have significantly increased your retirement account without lifting a finger!

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Jul 10, 2023

Fun in the Sun: Is Your Insurance Protecting You?

Boat, jet ski, and Wave Runner owners typically know they need additional insurance coverage, but they should also understand the terms of their policy.

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May 22, 2023

Everything You Need To Know About QCDs

To qualify as a QCD, the gift must be made directly from an IRA account. Employer plans, such as 401ks or 403bs, aren’t eligible for QCDs, just IRAs.

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Feb 27, 2023

Family Vacation Home – What’s the Plan?

When it comes to passing down family vacation homes, first-generation owners should talk with family members about the property and find out who is interested in owning it after they're gone. You might be surprised!

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Oct 17, 2022

Planning for the Unexpected

Any health diagnosis is typically unexpected and can turn our world upside down. Understanding the financial impact can alleviate anxiety and allow you to focus your energy on the days ahead.

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Aug 1, 2022

Loans from The Bank of…. Mom and Dad?

Intra-family loans can be a simple option to help borrowers save on interest expenses and give lenders a yield on funds that may otherwise sit in cash. However, you should also review your financial security before offering to help others.

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Apr 10, 2022

Ditch the Documents!

Proactively managing your mail and documentation delivery methods will save you time and help better organize your records. Identifying which documents to keep versus those you can safely toss, and throwing away those that you can, will also help.

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Feb 28, 2022

Is It Worth Getting Amped Over Electric Vehicles?

Be prepared to pay more upfront when purchasing an electric vehicle. Electric vehicles have historically had a much higher sticker price than gasoline-powered alternatives. But there are some benefits.

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Jan 6, 2022

Inherited IRAs: Do You Know The Rules?

When the SECURE Act first passed, the rules seemed straightforward. In practice, we are now encountering individuals who have more than one Inherited IRA account and possibly different distributions plans for each one.

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Jan 3, 2022

Nurses, Military, Teachers: Get your Student Loans Forgiven!

The PSLF program hasn’t had the best reputation, but the recent changes should make it more user-friendly and accessible to the people it was designed to help.

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Aug 30, 2021

The FAQs of a Financial Planner

When it comes to your financial future, trial and error can be expensive. Your best bet is to seek out a financial planner who can answer your questions and help you think about the questions you don’t know to ask.