How to Find Firm Financial Footing After Your Marriage Has Ended
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Monday, 27 September 2021
While none of us head into marriage expecting a divorce, it’s an unfortunate truth that for many marriages divorce is the outcome. Divorce can lead to a complete upheaval of your life, impacting your personal life, your emotional well-being, your physical well-being, and, especially, your finances. For most people, coping with life after a divorce is one of the most difficult challenges they will go through. However, if you’re in the unfortunate position of leaving the divorce with limited or no funds, rebuilding a new life may seem nearly impossible.
If divorce has ruined your financial plans, thrown you off track, and made you feel like life is spinning out of control, know that it doesn’t have to be like that forever. Life is transient; it’s all about rolling with the punches and getting back up after tough falls. One of the most crucial parts of taking back control of your life is to come to terms with your new financial situation. This is especially true if you were in a relationship where you heavily depended on your spouse for your financial support. So, if you’re coming out of a divorce and struggling financially, try incorporating these eight steps into your money strategy to get yourself back on firm financial footing.
Six Steps to Overcoming Stress and Fear Related to Money.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Wednesday, 07 April 2021
Do you tend to equate money with stress? If so, you’re not alone. The American Psychological Association’s latest Stress in America survey found that 72% of Americans have felt financial stress recently. When you feel anxiety related to money, it can be difficult to talk openly about it, or even to seek help. In my experience, much of this comes down to a lack of financial confidence – and it can make you feel paralyzed when it comes to financial decision-making. Luckily, there are steps you can take right now to increase your own financial confidence.
In this article, we’ll review six steps you can take to feel more empowered and confident in money matters and begin to overcome your financial stress and anxiety.
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.
