Changes Ahead
Each year, we take a comprehensive look at FPA’s publications and figure out ways to make them serve readers better. This year is no exception, and you can expect to see a few changes. We’re working harder and smarter to bring you insightful contributions and commentary. Some of the changes will be announced as the year progresses.
Improving Our Archives
Recently, Christina Nelson, managing editor of the Journal, attended the FPA Chapter Leaders Conference, where she was surprised to hear one of our chapter members say, “You know what would be great? If we could have access to all previous Journal articles in some kind of searchable format.”
We were all startled to hear this, because if you’re an FPA member, you’re already entitled to access the Journal archives at www.FPAnet.org/Journal/Archives. Sometimes we take for granted that people know about this and other FPA membership benefits. After all, our archival site draws a lot of traffic, both among members who want to look up their favorite articles and among researchers who wish to build upon the work of past Journal authors.
Clearly, a reminder is in order, and there’s no better time for it. By happy coincidence, FPA staff recently completed an overhaul of the Journal archives. We’ll skip the technical details, but you’ll find navigating the new archival site more intuitive. Plus, we’ve optimized the site to ensure that you’ll get more and better-targeted results when you search by topics or by author names.
New Column Starting
The Journal has published some stand-out articles related to life planning, and some of our columnists venture into life planning territory when focusing on other subjects. But when planning this year’s Journal lineup, staff felt there was a clear need to address life planning in its own column. We didn’t have to look far to find the right author to kick off this new feature in this issue of the Journal. Lewis Walker is one of the nation’s most recognized financial planners, and he’s been a regular contributor to our Professional Issues column. Who better to provide an overview of life planning and set the stage for future columns on the subject?
Heads Up
If you enjoy—and profit from—Practice Management Solutions magazine, you might be interested to know that this longtime supplement will no longer be delivered as a printed companion to the Journal. Instead, look for your March-April issue of Practice Management Solutions to be available as an entirely digital publication. More on this later.
We hope this month’s issue of the Journal of Financial Planning is one you won’t want to miss. But as a reminder, if you do miss it, FPA members can look it up later in our archives.
Lance Ritchlin
Editor
