Written by Newberg resident Andrew Mason
Hello, Newsberg readers! My name is Andrew Mason, and I will be writing a monthly personal finance column. I have been a Newsberg reader and follower for a long time, and I am excited about this opportunity.
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For this first column, I would like to share who I am, why I am writing this column, and how I hope it can be used.
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, my wife and I eventually decided to escape the heat and desert landscapes in favor of more rain and greenery, leading us to Oregon in 2019. We bought our forever home in Newberg in 2021 and do not plan on moving. We love this community.
I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology, but as an adult, I developed a strong interest in business and finance. That interest led me to pursue an MBA through Louisiana State University-Shreveport, which I completed in 2025. I am currently in the process of obtaining my Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) designation.
An AFC helps clients understand financial options, resources, and strategies for achieving their financial goals. An AFC does not provide recommendations or advice, but instead educates clients on available options and works with them to create a personalized plan toward their goals.
Why now? Numerous economists, papers, and studies indicate the U.S. is currently experiencing a “K-shaped” economy, in which high-income households continue to see financial gains while low-income households face increasing adversity. My hope is that this column can help readers on both sides of the “K” build a stronger financial footing, so Newberg can help lead the way toward a more prosperous economy for all households.
After high school, my decisions led to debts in collections and a credit score that made it difficult to get ahead. I eventually worked my way out of that situation by reading and learning financial concepts I had never been taught in school. That experience sparked a lasting interest in personal finance.
Now, I want to share the information that helped turn my financial life around and put me in the position I am in today. My goal is to provide the community with practical, educational information on a range of personal finance topics — from strategies to overcome debt to paths toward financial independence, and everything in between.
As someone with a deep interest in learning, I am always reading a new (to me) finance book. In each column, I will share what I am currently reading and welcome book recommendations.
If you have questions about personal finance or suggestions for topics you would like this column to explore, feel free to email me at masonmoneysolutions@gmail.com.
Currently reading: The Stoic Path to Wealth
Andrew Mason, MBA
AFC candidate
Disclaimer: This column is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
