“Who’s excited to do a budget?” (hearing the sound of crickets…) That’s exactly the problem with budgets! Maybe two people out of a hundred are actually excited about budgeting and what it helps you accomplish. In this episode of the Money is Emotional podcast, I explore why most of us don’t like traditional budgets, how to shift our mindset around …

“Should I refinance my student loans?” It’s a question I’m asked almost weekly by my followers and potential clients. It’s true, student loan debt is a growing financial burden for many Americans. In fact, the biggest asset of the US Government is student loan debt. (Yikes!) For some people, this debt prevents them from saving adequately for retirement and other …

I had an epiphany the other day: I am the Marie Kondo of money. If you’ve read Marie’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up or watched her Netflix series, you’ll know that she helps people conquer their physical clutter once and for all. She has a very specific process for doing this. Marie helps people remove all their clutter, assessing what …

You probably know when you need the services of a banker, CPA, or investment advisor. But when should you hire a financial coach? You don’t need a loan, assistance with filing your taxes, or the latest stock tip. You need a different kind of financial guidance that’s harder to define. When to Hire a Financial Coach The answer in one …

When I hit financial rock bottom, I used the Volcano Method of debt reduction to dig myself out. But I didn’t realize that’s what it was called at the time! At age 26, fresh out of a dysfunctional 7-year relationship, I found myself buried in debt, with zero savings and a less-than-stellar credit score. My ex-fiance “Jeff” couldn’t seem to …

What you don’t know about medical bills can cost you both in terms of money and frustration. There can be some unpleasant side effects from your medical care if you’re not aware of these billing pitfalls. Yes, of course, your medical providers deserve to be paid fairly. However, I don’t want you to overpay your medical bills because of confusion …

The easiest way to fix your finances is also the most successful in the long-term! But have you noticed that we tend to complicate things and make them harder than they need to be?Many people tend think that fixing their money problems is going to be difficult and overwhelming. And it’s no wonder! Money gurus tell us lies like, “You …

If you’ve ever struggled to get your crap together when it comes to money, you’ve likely asked some variation of this question: “What’s wrong with me?” “What’s wrong with me? I make a good income, so why don’t I have anything to show for it?” “What’s wrong with me? I should have these student loans paid off by now.” “What’s …

When a couple is experiencing financial stress, it can seem nearly impossible to talk about money without fighting. Emotions run high and conversations can quickly turn into shouting matches and blame-a-thons. With 75% of Americans feeling money stress at least some of the time, and almost 25% experiencing extreme financial stress, the struggle is real. The good news is that …