Mac Wages

Financial Planning, Housing and Consumer Economics

Wages' experience in FACS financial planning program combines his love of numbers and teaching

Hometown

Winterville

Major

Master’s in Financial Planning - Behavioral Financial Planning/Financial Therapy Track

Graduate Certificate in Behavioral Financial Planning/Financial Therapy

Activities/Honors

• Worked as a graduate assistant on a grant with Dr. Travis Mountain in the spring
• Currently a teaching assistant for FHCE 4210 (Retirement Planning) and FHCE 4220 (Estate Planning) with Dr. Effie Antonoudi
• Selected to attend Charles Schwab Impact 2022 Conference
• Selected to attend NAPFA Fall 2024 National Conference
• Member, Prince Avenue Baptist Church

Why I chose my major

I inherited a love of teaching and public speaking from my dad. I inherited a love of numbers and money management from my mom. I decided to stay at UGA to pursue my master’s degree with the hope of eventually lecturing part-time in a collegiate financial planning program, which fulfils both of my inherited passions! I chose the Behavioral Track because it allowed me to learn new information I did not get exposure to in my undergraduate program. Also, by selecting this track, I have experienced unique situations at The Love and Money center that many graduate students do not get.

What I like most about FACS

I love how close-knit FACS is! I have the phone numbers of many of my professors and have developed deep, personal relationships with them. FACS professors have consistently gone above and beyond to interact with, develop and support me.

Special thanks to Dr. Chatterjee, Dr. Archuleta and Dr. Watkins for supervising me on my graduate committee. Special thanks to Dr. Mountain for allowing me to work on his grant last semester. Dr. Thomas always has a smile and a kind word whenever I see him. Dr. Goetz is incredibly kind and also a deep well of financial and personal knowledge. And special thanks to Dr. Antonoudi for giving me extraordinary opportunities to lecture and TA for her classes this semester.

Post-graduation plans

Work at a financial planning firm, pass my Series 65 and CFP next year and begin to lecture part-time in a financial planning collegiate program!