This week I sat down with blogger and author Melanie Lockert to discuss the struggles people face when it comes to debt. Melanie is the founder of the blog and author of the book, Dear Debt. Through her blog, she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 in student loan debt. Her work has appeared on Business Insider, Time, Huffington Post and more. She is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat, which helps bold women face their fears, own their dreams and figure out a plan to be in control of their finances. HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:  Melanie’s background and how she began educating others about debt What inspired Melanie to create Dear Debt The safe space and community she has created How debt can affect a person’s mental health One of the top searches Melanie sees as it relates to debt The three taboo topics Melanie sheds light on The different types of letters to debt seen on her blog Why people write letters to thank the debt they’ve incurred Times debt can be a very good thing for people Melanie’s debt journey and how she paid off $81K How being in debt is similar to the 5 stages of grief When Melanie hit the lowest of the low point The way she doubled her income in one year The ins and outs of Lola Retreat How the Lola Retreat came about and when the next event will be  LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:  Dear Debt Blog  Dear Debt Book  GET SOCIAL WITH MELANIE AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE  Melanie’s Website Lola Retreat Melanie's Email Twitter Instagram 

Facing Your Money Fears & Figuring Out Your Finances with Melanie Lockert

The Work Your Wealth Podcast, presented by author, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(TM), and money guru Mary Beth Storjohann is teaching you how to make smarter choices with your money. Featuring interviews with leading authors, business owners and professionals, Work Your Wealth will give you the education, confidence and clarity around your finances that you deserve. If you're ready to use your money to live a life you love, this show is for you.

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HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:  The issues women have been facing over the past 18 months Examples of how women have been disproportionately impacted during the pandemic Where women started in the labor force compared to where we are today The impact of the 19th amendment on women in the workforce The long-term impact of the gender wage gap Comparing the changes men and women have faced as a result of COVID-19 The pressure that we perceived and now is being voiced by society due to the pandemic The average cost for childcare and how it relates to other expenses How the pandemic impacted accessibility and feasibility of childcare for many families How women of color have faced even more challenges through the pandemic Long-term financial impacts that these changes are going to have on women Small steps you can take to make that financial progress How Social Security is affected when women have to leave the workforce Why the savings gap is exacerbated by women’s longevity A few ideas on how to make progress for women A few financial considerations as we move forward with the pandemic  LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:   Work Your Wealth Book Abacus Wealth Partners Book a consult with Abacus Wealth Partners  How the Pandemic Slashed Years of Women’s Workforce Progress  LET’S CONNECT!  Twitter Instagram 

How the Pandemic is Disproportionately Impacting Women

One of the best parts of launching this podcast is to talk to others about money topics and addressing concerns they’ve had or seen. Today is an important episode in the direction of the Work Your Wealth podcast and where you might continue to find financial resources. Today I'm talking about 5 important lessons I’ve learned over the past four years through my journey with this podcast and what the future will hold for me and Abacus Wealth Partners.   HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:  The timeline of the Work Your Wealth Podcast The reason behind launching the podcast and writing the Work Your Wealth book The 5 lessons I’ve learned in doing the Work Your Wealth podcast The potential rewards that could come with putting yourself out there and taking risks The importance of doing what you love Why you have to recognize when it is time to evolve The one person that will always look out for you most Where you can continue to find the Work Your Wealth content and where you can continue to connect with Mary Beth  LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:   Work Your Wealth Book Abacus Wealth Partners Book a consult with Abacus Wealth Partners  LET’S CONNECT!  Facebook Twitter Instagram 

5 Lessons Learned Over the Past Four Years

Dasarte Yarnway is the Founder & Managing Director of Berknell Financial Group, an innovative independent wealth management firm focused on helping millennials and seasoned investors design their best lives. Since the firm's inception, Berknell Financial Group has become one of the most notable millennial-led financial services organizations. In an industry that focuses on revenue and dollars-invested, Dasarte realized that a firm's value is created through how they could invest in their clients. Through this, The Wealth Bridge™ , Private Client Groups and Berknell Athletes were created. With his passion for listening to his clients greatest concerns and applying realistic solutions, Dasarte has become the go-to partner for millennials, growing families and seasoned investors alike. Berknell encapsulates this approach in their motto: Advice With You In Mind. Coined a “financial thought leader” and Guru by NerdWallet and Financial Planning Magazine, Dasarte believes in meeting you where you are. He offers advice and insight through his weekly podcast, The Young Money Podcast, three books (Dating Benji 2016, Young Money 2018, Pay Me In Equity 2019) and weekly blog. His prayer is that you may design your wealth on your terms.   HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:  The story of how Dasarte got into the financial world The group Dasarte likes to empower around their finances How he built an ecosystem of financial knowledge for a community of people Why Dasarte embodies a mindset of servant leadership Applying the R.I.I.T.E. planning process The reason Dasarte has applied the lighthouse method in all that he did What the bigger picture for Berknell Financial looks like The changes Dasarte has made to build his business more efficiently The responsibility Dasarte feels to improving the financial industry The hardest business lesson learned by Dasarte The niche that Berknell Financial is continuing to reach The biggest thing many clients don’t understand  The unique challenges athletes face with financial decisions Who the real hero is in the advisor-client relationship and why  LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:   Investopedia Top 100 Financial Advisors 2020 Books By Dasarte Yarnway Young Money Podcast  GET SOCIAL WITH DASARTE AND LET HIM KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HIM HERE  Website Twitter Instagram 

The Relationship You Want with Your Financial Advisor with Dasarte Yarnway

John Eing is a partner and financial advisor at Abacus Wealth Partners.  As a financial advisor, John is passionate about simplifying and demystifying finances for his clients, and creating sound financial strategies allowing them to do what they love most.  He is also a member of the firm’s M&A; team and investment committee.  Prior to joining Abacus, John was the Controller of Wells Fargo's $30B asset-based lending group.  He holds an Executive MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA, a BA in Economics from UC Berkeley, is a Certified Public Accountant, and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. In his free time, John and his wife, Andrea, enjoy spending time with their two children Nathan (8) and Mia (4).  In his free, free time John is an avid fan of the Los Angeles Lakers. HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:  How Abacus Wealth Partners is focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion Why you should do everything that makes you feel uncomfortable in business The difference between diversity and inclusion The path that led John to financial planning and Abacus Wealth Partners How to provide a space to openly discuss diversity, equity and inclusion in the work environment The benefits seen at Abacus with the cultural lunch and learns Diversity gaps in the financial industry How understanding your client’s cultural background can make you a better advisor A hurdle for financial education across different nationalities How to turn the diversity, equity and inclusion conversation into action Why personal finance must be taught in schools What progress might look like when expanding diversity in the financial industry  LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:   Economic vs Financial Planning Education Survey Save More Tomorrow by Shlomo Benartzi  The Digital Nervous System by Bill Gates  GET SOCIAL WITH JOHN AND LET HIM KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HIM HERE  Website Email Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Facebook 

Diversity and Inclusion in Financial Planning with John Eing

Are You Better or Worse off Financially In 2020? One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I’ll be taking time to address and answer questions I’ve come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I’m answering the above question. HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:  Why the end of the year is my favorite time of year for clients Questions I consistently receive as the year is closing out A way to gauge if you are better or worse off financially this year First step in measuring your financial progress The measurement to use when evaluating your financial health How to calculate your net worth A good way to evaluate your debt situation for the year The check you should be doing on your debt every January Why you should review your spending throughout the year How your savings goals play into your financial health Different savings vehicles you can utilize to grow your net worth A few things you should consider when talking about your retirement savings The role a change in income can play in figuring out if you’re financially better off this year How “lifestyle creep” could potentially hurt your financial health Why employer benefits must be evaluated each year  LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW  Abacus Wealth Partners Mary Beth  LET’S CONNECT!  Facebook Twitter Instagram 

Facing Your Money Fears & Figuring Out Your Finances with Melanie Lockert

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