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You know what you should be doing with your money. You're still not doing it. That gap has a name — and it's the most overlooked factor in whether your financial plan actually works.

In this episode, I walk through the four financial behavior patterns I see most often in my practice — the Protector, the Avoider, the Regulator, and the Sacrificer — where they come from (most of them were set before you turned 7), and the specific actions that change them. I also share two real client stories and my own.

In this episode:

• The four financial behavior patterns and how to identify yours
• Why $500K in savings can sit earning almost nothing (Megan's story)
• Why a $200K income ceiling had nothing to do with skill (Lisa's story)
• Where I got my own money patterns — and why I'm telling you
• Five actions that actually move the needle
• The stat: women who address these patterns are 53% more likely to invest regularly

📘 Free Guide: 7 Things Nobody Teaches Independent Women About Building Wealth → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com

📞 Book a free Align Call: → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com/book-a-call/

Follow the Conversation:

• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hazel-secco
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/alignfinancialsolutions

About Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA® 

Hazel is the founder of Align Financial Solutions. As a fee-only, fiduciary advisor, she specializes in helping independent women navigate career transitions, equity compensation, and building toward a Work Optional life.

Disclaimer: All content in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute individual investment, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risk. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

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Not all financial advisors are built the same — and most women don't know the difference until it costs them.

In this episode, Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA® breaks down what "fee-only" actually means, why it matters more than most people realize, and how the way your advisor gets paid directly affects the advice you receive. From hidden commissions to conflicts of interest, Hazel explains what to watch for and why the fee-only model exists to keep your advisor on your side of the table.

If you've ever wondered whether your financial advisor is truly working for you — or for their own bottom line — this is the episode to listen to.

In this episode, you'll learn: - What "fee-only" means and how it differs from "fee-based" (they're not the same) - Why the fiduciary standard matters for your financial plan - How commission-based compensation can create conflicts you'd never see - What to ask a financial advisor before you hire one

📘 Free Guide: 7 Things Nobody Teaches Independent Women About Building Wealth → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com

📞 Book a free Align Call: → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com/book-a-call/

Follow the Conversation:

• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hazel-secco
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/alignfinancialsolutions

About Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA® 

Hazel is the founder of Align Financial Solutions. As a fee-only, fiduciary advisor, she specializes in helping independent women navigate career transitions, equity compensation, and building toward a Work Optional life.

Disclaimer: All content in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute individual investment, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risk. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

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Most financial plans don't fall apart because the math was wrong. They fall apart because they were built on someone else's values — what you thought you should want, what your family expected, what the industry said success looks like. Six months in, you stop following the plan. Not because you lack discipline. Because it was never actually yours.

I know this because it happened to me. I was a successful financial advisor doing everything right on paper — and one day I couldn't get out of bed. That rock-bottom moment forced me to confront something I'd been avoiding: I had built a career on external expectations, not my own values. It almost cost me everything. It's also the reason I built Align the way I did.

In this episode, I share the full story and walk through exactly how to build a financial plan that actually sticks — one that fits the life you actually want, not the one you were told to want.

In this episode:

• Why financial plans built on external expectations fall apart within months
• My own story: burnout, hitting rock bottom, and walking away from the traditional advisor path
• How cultural background shapes your money values (and why you probably haven't examined yours)
• Three questions to identify your actual values, not the ones you think you should have
• The four signs your financial decisions are misaligned with what matters to you
• A simple three-column exercise to build a values-based filter for every financial decision

📘 Free Guide: 7 Things Nobody Teaches Independent Women About Building Wealth → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com

📞 Book a free Align Call: → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com/book-a-call/

Follow the Conversation:

• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hazel-secco
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/alignfinancialsolutions

About Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA® 

Hazel is the founder of Align Financial Solutions. As a fee-only, fiduciary advisor, she specializes in helping independent women navigate career transitions, equity compensation, and building toward a Work Optional life.

Disclaimer: All content in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute individual investment, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risk. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

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In this episode of Her Honest Money Talk, Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA®, breaks down the psychology behind why earning more money doesn't always solve money stress. If you struggle with guilt around spending, compulsive over-saving, or constant worry about the future, the issue likely isn't your income. It's your money mindset.

In this video, you will learn:

• The Root Causes: How childhood experiences shape your current scarcity mindset.
• The Symptoms: Why you feel guilty spending money even when you can afford it.
• The Balance Principle: How to find the middle ground between saving for tomorrow and enjoying today.
• Actionable Steps: Proven strategies to shift from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset for true financial freedom.

Stop letting financial anxiety control your life. Watch now to unlock financial confidence and build a healthier relationship with your wealth.

📘 Free Guide: 7 Things Nobody Teaches Independent Women About Building Wealth → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com

📞 Book a free Align Call: → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com/book-a-call/

Follow the Conversation:

• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hazel-secco
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/alignfinancialsolutions

About Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA® 

Hazel is the founder of Align Financial Solutions. As a fee-only, fiduciary advisor, she specializes in helping independent women navigate career transitions, equity compensation, and building toward a Work Optional life.

Disclaimer: All content in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute individual investment, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risk. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

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How much is truly enough?

In this episode of Her Honest Money Talk, Hazel Secco explores the powerful concept of your enough number, the personal financial target that allows you to stop chasing someone else’s definition of success and start building financial freedom that actually fits your life.

Your enough number is not about comparison. It is about clarity, choice, and feeling grounded in what you truly want.

Hazel walks you step by step through how to calculate your enough number using simple frameworks like the rule of 25, while sharing real life insights from her work with women in leadership. You will learn why enough is never a universal number and how to separate your financial goals from social pressure, conditioning, and the constant pull to want more.

If you have ever wondered why reaching milestones does not always bring peace, this conversation will help you move from overwhelm to clarity and from comparison to confidence.

📘 Free Guide: 7 Things Nobody Teaches Independent Women About Building Wealth → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com

📞 Book a free Align Call: → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com/book-a-call/

Follow the Conversation:

• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hazel-secco
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/alignfinancialsolutions

About Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA® 

Hazel is the founder of Align Financial Solutions. As a fee-only, fiduciary advisor, she specializes in helping independent women navigate career transitions, equity compensation, and building toward a Work Optional life.

Disclaimer: All content in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute individual investment, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risk. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Send us Fan Mail

"The freedom to design your relationship with work based on meaning, not just necessity."

If you’ve worked hard to get where you are, you deserve a financial plan that gives you options. In Season 2, we are diving deep into what it takes to build a Work Optional life for independent women.

No jargon. Just honest talk and strategic wealth planning.

Hosted by: Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA® 

👇 Start your Work Optional journey today! 

#WealthMindset #womenandmoney #FinancialPlanning #AlignFinancialSolutions #workoptional #retirementplanning

📘 Free Guide: 7 Things Nobody Teaches Independent Women About Building Wealth → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com

📞 Book a free Align Call: → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com/book-a-call/

Follow the Conversation:

• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hazel-secco
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/alignfinancialsolutions

About Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA® 

Hazel is the founder of Align Financial Solutions. As a fee-only, fiduciary advisor, she specializes in helping independent women navigate career transitions, equity compensation, and building toward a Work Optional life.

Disclaimer: All content in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute individual investment, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risk. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Send us Fan Mail

Join Hazel on "Her Honest Money Talk" as she goes into her journey of becoming a financial advisor. She shares how it has shaped her into the passionate advocate for women's financial independence she is today. Through her candid storytelling, she talks about her personal upbringing and how it fuels her drive to help women take control of their finances. Tune in for such an inspiring episode that resonates with women everywhere!

📘 Free Guide: 7 Things Nobody Teaches Independent Women About Building Wealth → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com

📞 Book a free Align Call: → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com/book-a-call/

Follow the Conversation:

• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hazel-secco
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/alignfinancialsolutions

About Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA® 

Hazel is the founder of Align Financial Solutions. As a fee-only, fiduciary advisor, she specializes in helping independent women navigate career transitions, equity compensation, and building toward a Work Optional life.

Disclaimer: All content in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute individual investment, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risk. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Send us Fan Mail

In today's episode of "Her Honest Money Talk," we're diving into the critical process of selecting a financial planner or advisor. The episode features a conversational style between Hazel, the founder and CEO of Align Financial Solutions LLC, and Hannah, who serves as the client wizard at Align Financial Solutions LLC. Join us as we explore key tips for finding the right match to navigate your financial future. From considering compatibility with your unique financial and life circumstances to exploring vetted professionals on trustworthy websites, we'll provide valuable insights for navigating this important decision. Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share with your friends as we discuss financial planning for life's transitions. Stay empowered and financially aligned! Below are the links to locate certified financial planners through the CFP and FPA websites. Both require each professional to have the CFP designation to become a member. I hope this is helpful! CFP Board: cfp.net FPA: PlannerSearch.orgSubscribe to us @AlignFinancialSolutions Facebook Page: Like us at facebook.com/alignfinancialsolutionsllc LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/hazel-seccoVisit our website: www.alignfinancialsolutions.com Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, A Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC.

📘 Free Guide: 7 Things Nobody Teaches Independent Women About Building Wealth → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com

📞 Book a free Align Call: → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com/book-a-call/

Follow the Conversation:

• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hazel-secco
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/alignfinancialsolutions

About Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA® 

Hazel is the founder of Align Financial Solutions. As a fee-only, fiduciary advisor, she specializes in helping independent women navigate career transitions, equity compensation, and building toward a Work Optional life.

Disclaimer: All content in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute individual investment, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risk. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Send us Fan Mail

Introducing "Her Honest Money Talk" with Hazel Secco, CFP, CDFA, where financial clarity meets candid conversation. Join Hazel as she demystifies the world of personal finance with honesty and insight. In this trailer, get a glimpse of what's to come as Hazel explores the most frequently asked questions from women, all delivered with her signature honest approach. Tune in for practical advice, real-life stories, and empowering discussions about women and money, and beyond. Subscribe now for your bi-weekly dose of financial wisdom.

Subscribe to us @AlignFinancialSolutions

Facebook Page: facebook.com/alignfinancialsolutionsllc

LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/hazel-secco

Visit our website: www.alignfinancialsolutions.com

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, A Registered Investment Advisor.

Member FINRA/SIPC.

📘 Free Guide: 7 Things Nobody Teaches Independent Women About Building Wealth → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com

📞 Book a free Align Call: → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com/book-a-call/

Follow the Conversation:

• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hazel-secco
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/alignfinancialsolutions

About Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA® 

Hazel is the founder of Align Financial Solutions. As a fee-only, fiduciary advisor, she specializes in helping independent women navigate career transitions, equity compensation, and building toward a Work Optional life.

Disclaimer: All content in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute individual investment, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risk. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Send us Fan Mail

Join us in this candid episode of Her Honest Money Talk as we dissect the movie 'Barbie' from the unique vantage points of a financial advocate for women and feminist ideals. Delve into our honest exploration of this empowering film, as we discuss its strides, missed opportunities, and the intersection of finance and feminism. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the portrayal of women's empowerment and financial themes within the world of Barbie.

📘 Free Guide: 7 Things Nobody Teaches Independent Women About Building Wealth → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com

📞 Book a free Align Call: → https://alignfinancialsolutions.com/book-a-call/

Follow the Conversation:

• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hazel-secco
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/alignfinancialsolutions

About Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA® 

Hazel is the founder of Align Financial Solutions. As a fee-only, fiduciary advisor, she specializes in helping independent women navigate career transitions, equity compensation, and building toward a Work Optional life.

Disclaimer: All content in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute individual investment, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risk. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.