More women are harnessing their financial power in the workplace and taking the lead in their families in a way that hasn’t happened historically, but it means they're also facing more pressure and stress than ever before.
Tuesday, 23 May 2023
If you’re a breadwinning woman – or on the verge of becoming one – congratulations on being strong and unafraid to grow your career! Regardless of your power and confidence, though, it’s likely you’re facing tricky societal pressures. In this episode, you'll find a frank discussion of the pressures and benefits of being a female breadwinner, along with practical advice for overcoming the challenges.
For working mothers in the busiest seasons of life, finding balance between work life and home life can be a frustratingly elusive goal.
Tuesday, 16 May 2023
Women face so many expectations these days, especially working moms. We are bombarded on all sides by endless streams of advice on how to be better parents as expectations for parent involvement have been growing, alongside many other more elaborate expectations for working mothers. Does this mean you can’t find success both at work and at home? No! In fact, I believe you can. You just have to change the rules of the game.
If you're feeling bored or disengaged at work, you may want to consider how it's impacting your long-term financial success.
Tuesday, 02 May 2023
If you have a job that you love and that challenges you, congratulations! It’s something that many people wish for but never find. I know how challenging it can be to feel disengaged or bored with the work you do every day. The truth is that career complacency is common. Many of us get comfortable in our jobs and we stop striving for growth and development. While this may feel safe and secure in some ways, career complacency can have a significant impact on both our happiness and our net worth.
If you have a myriad of retirement accounts with overlapping objectives, make time to organize your account information and ensure you’re making the most of each one.
Tuesday, 25 April 2023
It’s incredibly common to have multiple retirement accounts with overlapping objectives - and little time to organize them. However, if your accounts aren’t organized effectively, you may not be making the most of your savings and investments. In this episode, you’ll learn how to use a financial “tune-up” to create a structure and planning process that lets you easily check in on your savings and spending goals to ensure you’re on track. This can also help you plan for contingencies, allowing you to feel more empowered to meet your financial and life goals.
Family conversations regarding money can be quite challenging, but they are paramount to protecting your family’s financial health and ensuring your wealth is protected.
Tuesday, 18 April 2023
Conversations with family regarding money, estate planning, retirement planning, elder care, and what will happen to investments when someone dies are not easy. Of course, they are also necessary for protecting your family’s financial future. In this episode, Kathy explains how to approach these discussions using the “TALK Method” to conquer your money conversation anxiety and broach just one meaningful financial topic with someone you love.
The majority of women will be responsible for their own finances at some point, making it crucial to remember that a man is not a plan when it comes to preparing for your financial future.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 11 April 2023
The financial services industry remains dominated by men, and there is a lingering feeling in some circles that women take a backseat when it comes to money matters. This can lead many women to feel unheard or uncomfortable in financial conversations, even though women control 51% of personal wealth and have a greater desire than ever to take control of their financial futures. Add in the fact that the majority of women will be responsible for their own finances at some point, and it becomes crucial to remember that a man is not a plan when it comes to preparing for your financial future.
Financial bullying and abuse are topics that aren't discussed often, yet most domestic abuse cases actually begin with a subtle form of financial control.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 04 April 2023
The Center for Financial Security recently conducted a study that showed that 99% of people who experience domestic abuse also experience financial abuse from their partners. The study also found that most domestic abuse cases actually begin with a subtle form of financial control that escalates into physical, verbal, or emotional abuse. Unfortunately, financial abuse is not talked about as often as other forms of abuse, and it’s because of this lack of education that many people unwittingly miss the warning signs. This episode discusses these warning signs, and also shares how to get help if you're the victim of a financial bully.
Our friends are some of the greatest influencers on all aspects of our lives, meaning the company we keep can make or break our financial success.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 28 March 2023
Our social circles greatly influence all aspects of our lives. How we act, how stressed we feel, how long we live, the choices we make, the risks we take, our self-control… studies have shown that our friends significantly impact us in all of these areas and more. Of course, the way we manage our finances is strongly influenced by our circle of friends, too, which can be both positive and negative. We'll explore both sides of the coin in this episode.
Studies show we can use the power of perception to change our outlook - and our lives.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 21 March 2023
You might think that the level of happiness you feel about money, your work, your social life, or your relationships is derived from what happens in each of those areas of your life. But, actually, your perception of the things that happen is what truly makes a difference in your outlook. It really is all about perspective, and psychologists who study this cognitive bias call it the “framing effect.”
Money doesn't have to be a cause of contention in your relationship - use these four tips to stop fighting about your finances today.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 14 March 2023
As a couple, there are plenty of ups and downs that you’ll face together and work through as a team. However, fighting about money doesn’t have to be one of your challenges. If you and your partner find yourselves disagreeing on financial matters, you’re not alone. In fact, money issues are one of the leading causes of contention in romantic relationships. If you’re looking to find healthier ways to communicate with your partner and stop money fights in their tracks, I suggest trying the four steps I share in this episode.
Societal factors and common life changes mean women face unique financial planning considerations.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 07 March 2023
It’s tempting to think that money is an equalizer or that “investing is investing” regardless of the investor’s demographics. However, there are key differences in financial planning for women. Both societal factors and common life events can impact a woman’s financial position and her resulting investment choices. In this episode, I’ll review five financial planning considerations for women to help better equip you to meet and overcome challenges that may lie ahead.
When you're parenting a teenager, instilling positive habits around money, school, and health is imperative for their future success.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 21 February 2023
It's normal for teens to ignore their parents sometimes, but we’re ultimately responsible for helping them develop the strong foundations they’ll carry into adulthood in just a few years. And, neuroscientists have found that one of the best ways to do this is to help our teens develop positive habits and routines.
Planning for retirement as a couple brings unique challenges that single individuals will not face – namely, compromise and agreement.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 14 February 2023
Even the strongest couples face challenges during life transitions, and retirement is one of them. For a couple to successfully enjoy their retirement together, one of the most important things they can do is to get the timing right for both of them. That’s why it’s so important to have a thoughtful discussion beforehand. You and your spouse should have a shared understanding of your visions for retirement, your preferred timing, and even details like how to accomplish daily housework tasks. Kathy shares guidance on how to start the conversation in this episode focused on communication for couples nearing retirement.
By recognizing the strong relationship between money and mental health and noticing how it plays out in your own life, you’re better positioned to make the changes needed to improve your wellness in both areas.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 07 February 2023
Money matters and mental health are inextricably connected. Being able to work through your day-to-day experiences with money and your emotions can help give you a better understanding of the interconnection between money and mental health for you personally, as well as give you a clearer understanding of what your strengths and weaknesses are when it comes to money management.
It can be frustrating to feel like the financial part of your relationship is one-sided, but remember that one productive, team-oriented conversation can jump-start some forward momentum.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Wednesday, 01 February 2023
No matter what your marriage looks like, having money conversations with your spouse can be complex. You each bring your own money story, values, and financial resources and obligations to the relationship, which can create complications. In this episode, we'll talk about what productive money discussions look like, and how to overcome a partner who is hesitant to discuss money matters.
