The Day Lisa Finally Took Charge: A Journey to Financial Confidence
The Day Lisa Finally Took Charge: A Journey to Financial Confidence
Lisa had always believed she had a good handle on her finances. She worked hard, paid her bills on time, and even put a little aside for vacations or her kids' extracurriculars. But when the refrigerator broke down one summer afternoon, sending her scrambling to find the cash for a new one, she realized she was walking on a much thinner financial tightrope than she’d thought.
How had she gotten here? How had a woman who prided herself on being "financially responsible" ended up with more credit card debt than savings?
The truth was, Lisa had been making small, seemingly harmless financial mistakes for years—and it was starting to catch up with her. Here’s what she learned along the way.
The Dangers of Auto-Pilot Spending
Lisa's first wake-up call came when she finally sat down to review her bank statements. For years, she thought that as long as she wasn’t splurging on big-ticket items, everything would be fine. But there it was in black and white—hundreds of dollars each month going toward small purchases that added up: whimsical Amazon purchases, subscription services she barely used anymore, and almost as much spent on lattes as on gas for her car.
"Financial power isn’t about cutting out every luxury. It’s about intentional choices with your money."
Realizing this, Lisa started tracking her spending—not to restrict herself, but to understand where her money was going. She soon found areas where she could cut back without feeling deprived, giving her more room to build her emergency savings.
The "Yes Woman" Syndrome
Lisa, like many women, had a hard time saying no. Whether it was chipping in for a family member’s unexpected expenses or loaning money to a friend in need, Lisa usually stepped in, telling herself it was the "right thing" to do. But after years of putting others first, her own savings had taken a hit. And when the refrigerator died, there was no one there to help her in return.
Learning to say "no" was difficult at first, but Lisa realized that prioritizing her own financial health didn’t mean she didn’t care about her Loved Ones. In fact, by putting herself in a stronger financial position, she could more prudently support her family in the long run.
Finally Asking for What She Was Worth
Lisa’s biggest hurdle came at work. She had been with her company for nearly a decade, doing the work of two people and rarely taking a vacation. But the one thing she hadn’t done? Ask for a raise. For years, she assumed her dedication and hard work would be rewarded without her having to say a word. When the annual raises were more token than meaningful, she felt underappreciated, even resentful.
It wasn’t until she attended a women’s networking event that Lisa realized how common this was—and how easily it could be fixed. With newfound confidence, she scheduled a meeting with her boss. After laying out her contributions and demonstrating her value, Lisa didn’t just get the raise she deserved—she gained a promotion.
The Breakthrough Moment
Lisa’s financial transformation didn’t happen overnight, but it started when she resolved to confront the issue. She scheduled a meeting with a financial advisor who helped her create a clear, actionable plan. Together, they built a budget that gave her the freedom to enjoy life without constantly feeling like she was teetering on the edge of disaster. They set up an emergency fund, started tackling her debt, and even began investing for the future.
Most importantly, Lisa learned that reclaiming her financial power wasn’t just about numbers. It was about reclaiming her confidence—at work, at home, and in life.
Conclusion
Lisa’s story is a reminder that financial freedom starts with the decision to take control. Whether it’s tracking your spending, assert yourself in the workplace, or seeking the guidance of a financial advisor, every woman has the power to rewrite her financial story.
If Lisa’s journey sounds familiar, why wait for a financial emergency to take action? Start today. Take control. Schedule a call and learn how you can build a solid plan for your financial future. Start making empowered decisions with your money, and discover the confidence that comes with true financial security. You’re worth 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:
