Five Ways to Ensure Your Feelings Don't Get the Better of You
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Wednesday, 10 March 2021
Most of us don’t plan for divorce. Nearly every aspect of life changes in an instant when it happens, which is devastating and can take a toll on your willpower and decision-making skills. Divorce is mentally and emotionally draining. It is also fraught with practicalities that must be addressed so that, when the dust settles, you find yourself standing on solid ground between divorce and your finances.
Divorce nearly always impacts your money, undermining a great deal of the financial planning and wealth-building that a couple accomplished during the marriage. It can be emotionally challenging – even draining – to delve into all these issues. However, those who let financial decisions slide while they’re going through a divorce risk leaving their financial future in the hands of their ex-spouse. To avoid this situation and to keep your emotions in check, use the tips below to keep your feelings out of your financial decision-making when you’re navigating a divorce.
Tips for Making the Most Out of Your Philanthropy
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Wednesday, 24 February 2021
For many people, charitable giving is a financial value they hold dear. In fact, data from Philanthropy Roundtable has shown that two-thirds of Americans give money to charitable organizations annually. If philanthropy is important to you, below you’ll find six ways to get the most out of your giving.
Gaining Perspective on Your Money History and Values Helps You Better Articulate Your Goals
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Wednesday, 10 February 2021
The following article is based on content covered in my book, Flourish Financially: Values, Transitions, and Big Conversations. If you’d like to read more, you may purchase a copy here.
We all have a money story. It’s the history of financial decisions and financial influences that define how we view finance today. It also represents the emotional attachments we have to money, which impact how we spend and save.
When you understand your own money story, it can remove some of the barriers that get in the way of allowing you to make level-headed financial decisions. You will always have emotions surrounding money, but if you can separate the emotional from the rational, you’ll more clearly identify your true goals and make better financial decisions.
It's Time to Stop Shying Away from Having Money Conversations with Those Closest to You
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Monday, 25 January 2021
The following article is based on content covered in my book, Flourish Financially: Values, Transitions, and Big Conversations. If you’d like to read more, you may purchase a copy here.
If you grew up with the understanding that it’s inappropriate to talk about money in social settings, you’re not alone. A full 70 percent of people shy away from discussing personal finance topics with their friends. However, our friends are some of our greatest influences in life and I believe it’s important to have money discussions with those closest to you. Below I’ll share four reasons why I think friends and finances do mix, even if common etiquette tells us otherwise.
10 Steps That Can Make All the Difference in 2021
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Friday, 15 January 2021
The following article is based on the content covered in my book, Flourish Financially: Values, Transitions, and Big Conversations. If you’d like to read more, you may purchase a copy here.
How would you describe your level of financial confidence? One thing I have noticed in my line of work is just how many people find it difficult to talk about money. A lack of financial confidence can have a variety of root causes. Some people still consider money a taboo subject, some suffer from numerophobia,, others find it overwhelming or stressful, and still, others want to discuss it but feel silly asking questions they believe they should already know the answers to. Regardless of the origin, a lack of financial confidence is a roadblock on your path to accomplishing your goals.
If you want to feel more financially confident in the new year, follow the ten steps below and take control of your financial outlook for 2021.
