Women control resources that are changing the world, and these tips will help you be more intentional and strategic as you give back.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 24 January 2023
Women control more than $10 trillion in household financial assets – and that figure is steadily growing. What’s more, women are using their resources to support forces for good in the world. If making a difference is important to you, use these four charitable giving tips to be more intentional and strategic with your generosity - while keeping your own financial wellness in mind, too.
In some circles, there is a lingering feeling that women take a backseat when it comes to finance, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 17 January 2023
Women’s wealth and their ability to make money are growing faster than ever. Unfortunately, two big issues remain in financial services: (1) many women don’t feel heard or part of the financial conversation, and (2) the majority of financial planners don’t engage in the bigger picture purpose for the dollars. So, what's a woman to do? It's important to be intentional with your financial planning, and it all begins with building confidence.
Sometimes, a new year is less about charging toward massive goals and ambitions and more about taking one small step forward in a new direction.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 10 January 2023
This time of year, we hear a lot of messaging about the promise and opportunity of a new year and a feeling of hope that we can change our lives for the better. But, what if you’re at a place in life where a new year doesn’t mean those things to you? What if you’re feeling stuck where you are and you aren’t sure how to move forward? In this episode, I want to set aside the idea that you need to be charging toward big goals and ambitions right now, and focus instead on five simpler things you can do if you need to get “unstuck” from your current circumstances or mindset.
If the idea of goal setting makes you feel anxious or think of past failures, it may be because you've been setting the wrong kind of goals.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 03 January 2023
Our goals should inspire and motivate us, leaving us with a sense of hope for the future. But if you’re feeling haunted by past failures, the entire process of goal setting can make you feel anxious. Often, the root of the problem is that we’ve been setting the wrong kinds of goals, which is why I want to share the concept of “compass goals” with you in this episode.
If better money management is on your "someday" list, these tips will help you free up time to tackle it now and gain greater financial peace of mind.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 27 December 2022
If there simply aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish all the things you'd like to, you're not alone. The good news is, there are simple, low-effort strategies you can use to check "managing money" off the to-do list and feel more confident about your financial wellness. In this episode, I share tips for making your money management "out of sight and out of mind" so you can feel more confident about your finances - while being less occupied by them, too.
If your financial health is on your mind as we begin the New Year, consider adding a few of these ingredients to your life in 2023.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Wednesday, 21 December 2022
It’s that time of year when many of us are reflecting on the past 12 months and planning for the future, too. If your financial health is on your mind, you’re in the right place. In this episode, we review the 10 ingredients that are essential for financial well-being.
For working mothers in the busiest seasons of life, finding balance between work life and home life can be a frustratingly elusive goal.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Wednesday, 14 December 2022
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.
Around the holidays, it's important to remember that we can experience more joy in this very busy season if we commit to a few basic “rules of engagement” for communicating with our loved ones.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 06 December 2022
There are so many areas of our lives that can be made better with an intentional focus on communication – or which can suffer from a lack of communication. Your finances are one such area. Here are some communication tips to help you have better money discussions with your spouse, partner, or other family members during the holiday season and the rest of the year, too.
If you're experiencing financial stress, you know that it can mean all the joy and happiness surrounding the holidays gets replaced with worry instead.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Thursday, 01 December 2022
Money and finances are the top cause of stress for Americans, and financial anxiety can be compounded during the holidays. In this episode, I suggest a few ways you can reclaim your holiday joy instead of succumbing to financial worries AND make a plan for living with less financial stress the rest of the year, too.
It’s common to think about practicing gratitude in the Thanksgiving season, but it can positively impact your emotional and physical health all year long.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Wednesday, 23 November 2022
During the holiday season, it can be easy to be overcome by stress, frustration, and anxiety. If you’re struggling, remember there is a mysteriously easy way to improve many areas of your life: gratitude. Studies show that practicing gratitude is linked to benefits in the areas of social well-being, emotional health, and psychological functioning. Not only that, but science has also shown that regular gratitude practices are linked to improved sleep, lower blood pressure, and even asthma control and weight loss. Use these six strategies to start your gratitude practice today.
Merging finances as a couple can be complicated, but use these tips to choose the best strategy for your unique relationship.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 15 November 2022
Money is a very personal topic. It can be difficult to talk about, even with the person you’re sharing your life with. That’s one reason why determining your financial strategy as a couple can be a challenge. If you’ve been struggling to successfully blend this portion of your life, I have good news – there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to do it.
When you’re sharing your life with someone, you need to understand how that person views money so that you can achieve your joint financial goals.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 08 November 2022
Money matters can be so difficult to discuss, sometimes most especially with those closest to you. You may even have a bit of trepidation if you suspect you and your spouse or partner are out of harmony on financial matters, and that broaching the subject could lead to a disagreement. It might not be easy – it may even be messy – but it is crucial to have money conversations with the person you’re sharing your life with. In this episode, I provide tips to get started.
No one sets out to tell themselves money lies, but our beliefs can sometimes override facts when it comes to personal finance.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 01 November 2022
Because money is such a big part of life, our wishes, hopes, dreams, and fears can sometimes make it hard to see the truth for what it is. Often, this happens without us realizing it, but the consequences can be very real. If you've been harboring any of these common money misconceptions, it might be time to set the record straight in your own mind and start embracing better choices. Your financial health and future will thank you!
Understanding your money story and the emotions surrounding it are key steps in removing barriers to financial success, and the first step is to clarify your values.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 25 October 2022
We all have our own Money Story, made up of our entire history of financial decisions and influences. Your money story represents the emotional attachments you have to money, which impact how you spend and save. Understanding your own money story and the emotions surrounding it are key steps in removing the barriers that keep many people from making level-headed financial decisions and achieving the success they desire.
Use these five actionable steps to help you turn your best intentions into best practices for spending less and saving more.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Tuesday, 18 October 2022
Overspending can be a difficult habit to break, but doing so means more financial security - and less financial anxiety. Try these five actionable steps to help you turn your best intentions into best practices so you can spend less - and save more - for your future. Remember, taking small steps consistently can change your life!
