The Cost of Silence: How Maria Reclaimed Her Financial Power
The Cost of Silence: How Maria Reclaimed Her Financial Power
Maria had always considered herself responsible with money. She paid her bills, supported her family when needed, and every so often, splurged on something special—a new handbag, a weekend getaway. But one day, the unexpected happened. Her car broke down. The repair bill was another unwelcome reminder of double-digit inflation since her last repair. As she reached for her credit card, Maria realized that she had no idea where all her money had gone. How could this have happened? She had always been so careful. Or so she thought.
It turns out, Maria had been falling into some common financial traps that many women face.
The Blind Spot
Maria’s first mistake was a big one: she never tracked her spending. She thought she was being responsible by paying her bills on time and treating herself only "when she deserved it." But when she added up her monthly expenses—dining out, online shopping, the occasional subscription service—she realized just how much money was slipping through her fingers..
Like Maria, many of us operate on the assumption that everything will balance itself out. But as Maria learned,
"Financial freedom isn't about how much you earn—it's about knowing where your money goes."
Putting Others First
Maria was the go-to person in her family whenever someone needed help. Whether it was covering a medical bill for her mom or giving her sister money to pay rent, Maria was always ready to step up. But after years of prioritizing others, she noticed her savings were dwindling, and she had nothing left for herself. It was then she realized that caring for her family didn’t mean sacrificing her own financial health.
Learning to Speak Up
Another hard lesson came at work. Maria had been with her company for over five years, but despite her dedication and accomplishments, she had never asked for a raise. She assumed her efforts would be noticed, but they weren’t—at least, not until she brought them up. After a conversation with a friend, Maria gathered the courage to schedule a meeting with her supervisor. She presented her case, highlighting her performance, her contributions, and her years of service. To her surprise, her supervisor agreed to a raise and even set out a clear path for her next promotion.
The Retail Trap
Maria’s stress relief often came in the form of shopping. After a long week, she’d browse online stores or stop by her favorite boutiques for a little "retail therapy." It felt good in the moment, but it didn’t take long before the satisfaction wore off—and the credit card bills piled up. Recognizing the pattern, she sought help from a financial advisor who helped her create a realistic budget that included room for treating herself without jeopardizing her savings.
The Breakthrough Moment
Maria’s biggest breakthrough, though, came when she stopped keeping her financial worries to herself. For too long, she felt ashamed of her money struggles and kept her problems hidden. But once she opened up to a financial advisor, she was able to take back control. Her advisor helped her set clear financial goals, create a budget, and even start saving for the future.
Conclusion
Maria’s story is a reminder that no one has to navigate financial challenges alone. Whether it’s tracking your spending, advocating for yourself at work, or seeking help from a trusted advisor, every woman has the power to reclaim control of her finances.
Don't wait for a financial wake-up call like Maria's. Resolve today to avoid these common mistakes. Schedule a phone call with a financial advisor and start building a secure, empowered future. You deserve it.
HOMESCHOOLING: Haven or Havoc?
Your child's school years are precious and fleeting.
Now could be your best time to step up where your school is letting your child down. Let this series of myth-busting short chapters encourage you.
2 Major Mistakes
Which one will you make?
Which of these 2 retirement mistakes are you making right now? It's impossible to entirely avoid both mistakes.
You won't know for sure which mistake will work out better for you until it's too late.
How to choose?
Finding the Will
(Part 1)
Part 1: Have the will to arrange for a smooth transition when you’re no longer around to answer questions
Have the will to arrange for a smooth transition when you’re no longer around to answer questions (Part 1)
Ensuring your children or other Loved Ones can readily access your important papers when you die entails a sound process versus one or two conversations. You must overcome aversion to the subject of death, procrastination of anything that is long-term, and the tendency to assume things will be fine. Family dynamics can be sweet, spicy, or dicey.
Finding the Will
(Part 2)
Part 2: Getting Organized
While the internet permits convenient access to accounts, policies, and stored documents, it presents a plethora of password management problems. which too many people avoid by succumbing to password laziness, such as:
- re-using passwords for multiple logins, or
- use simple, easy to remember passwords, or
- writing them on sticky notes placed on their monitor or under their keyboard, or
- keeping them in a spreadsheet on their computer, or
- letting their browser remember passwords for them
Embrace Your Clarence
Is Clarence your future?
Golden insight from a golden retriever.
Post-Pandemic W.E.L.L.ness
Working, Earning, Learning, and Launching to Thrive
Where life drastically changed forever two years ago, everyone adjusted to the best of their abilities.
Here are a few of the key adjustments--"pandemic pivots"--that sustained some and prospered others.
Prenuptial Adulting
Equip Them for Happily Ever After
“Mom, Dad, we’re getting married!"
“Wonderful, congratulations! Here’s what you both need to do first.”
Equipping newlyweds with essentials of responsibility leaves plenty of life yet to be discovered on their own. Adults understand that love isn’t oogly feelings; it’s a hard choice. It’s putting your commitments and your money where your mouth is.
Many of the following steps also apply to one’s turning 18 years old. Becoming engaged adds urgency and a deadline.
Rethinking Competing Funds for College and Retirement
We live in a time of skyrocketing inflation topping decades of unbridled higher education costs.
Is the tension between funding your retirement and funding (at least partially) your children’s college education keeping you up at night?
You’re not alone.
Married? Is Your Endgame 100% or Just 50%?
Are you single? That other 50% could be whoever is most important to you.
Multiple unforgiving players factor into your retirement and estate plans (collectively your “endgame”). Household names include the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Key decisions with these players are nearly impossible to reverse. Plus, if you qualify for a pension, how you activate it is another irreversible decision.
Are you more of a planner than your spouse? It’s all too common for one spouse to blindly trust the planning spouse. Countless endgame “plans” were created by 50% of a couple:
