Her Dinero Matters

When was the last time that things didn’t go according to plan? If you’re anything like me, “quite often” is probably your answer (and there’s nothing wrong with that). The reason is simple: even the best thought and carefully weighted plans cannot keep life from happening, sometimes in the most random ways. In fact, although eliminating the unexpected from your life is almost impossible, no one ever teaches you how to react to life when things massively deviate from your original plan. This is why, in today’s episode, I’ll share with you five things you have to practice if you want to make your peace with the unexpected.

We’ve all had a moment (or two) when we swore a plan or project would turn out alright. Maybe the whole thing was a low-stakes, low-pressure project where virtually nothing could go wrong, or maybe this plan was just replicating something you had already done in the past with a decent amount of success. In any case, the expectations were low, and your confidence soared. 

This is why, when things didn’t turn out as expected, all you could do was stare at the facts in disbelief. Did you forget an important point? Were you not prepared enough? It may sound a tad irritating, but the answer is far simpler: unexpected circumstances usually happen… well, when you least expect it! And in no other sector is this as true as in finance.

In this HDM episode, I’ll be sharing a personal story that shows how life’s curveballs don’t have to derail you from your path. 

In this episode you will learn: 

• What does the unexpected have to do with your financial life?
• Reasons why unexpected situations can be so overwhelming.
• The 5 key lessons that you can take away from unexpected life disruptions. 

For a quick recap of this episode go to https://www.jenhemphill.com/412

The post, What You Don’t See Coming: Five Lessons From The Unexpected | HDM 412 appeared first on the Her Dinero Matters Podcast.

Imagine waking up one regular Monday morning as you usually do… only to find out that all your income, close support network, and, in general, your regular financial support sources are forever gone, and now you’re back to square one (which, by the way, probably feels like square -1000). It may sound like a hard stretch, but for so many women, this nightmarish scenario highlights a common and real fear: the possibility of losing their stability in life because they don’t have their own money. And while this might sound scary, this week’s guests and dear friends will share how this lingering sense of insecurity pushed them to seek financial independence and, simultaneously, turned them into an inspiration to us all.  

Some people say the biggest lessons in life come whenever you least expect them, and today I’ll have to agree with the popular lore. In today’s episode, I’m having a conversation with two friends and fellow Accredited Financial Counselors®, Weslia Echols and Willa Williams who learned through their lived experiences why being financially independent is so important.

Weslia and Willa’s unique mission is to assist Christian women in embracing their STEWARD Identity™. They aim to help women discover their unique path to creating wealth and achieving financial fulfillment. Through their company, Trinity Financial Coaching, and their weekly podcast, Wealth and Wisdom Together™, they have created a safe space for women to learn and discuss money while trusting God, trusting themselves, and trusting the process.

In this episode you will learn: 

• Why financial independence should be a top priority in everyone’s life list.
• A core characteristic of financial fulfillment that everyone should be aiming to have. 
• Willa and Weslia’s take on what’s the biggest financial barrier that most people face.

For a quick recap of this episode go to https://www.jenhemphill.com/411

The post, Seeking Security? The True Meaning of Financial Independence | HDM 411 appeared first on the Her Dinero Matters Podcast.

Intuitively, we all know that leaving your home country for good is a challenging experience. Adapting to a new place, language, culture, job market, AND financial system is anything but an easy feat. However, knowing that it’s hard and listening to the first-person account of someone who not only survived the experience but also managed to thrive and build a meaningful career is truly inspiring. In today’s episode, we are having an empowering conversation with Jhoanna Astudillo, the Hispanic segment leader in BOK Financial’s Consumer Division. Jhoanna will share with us her biggest money realizations and how they came to be.

When was the last time you had a hard time cashing a check at your local bank? Or the last time you had to wait one hour for someone to help you do a simple money transfer? If the answer to those questions is some variation of “I’m not sure”, today’s episode will surely surprise you. 

Like many immigrants, today’s guest had to re-start from scratch. From having to learn the language to figure out the U.S. financial system and, while on it, uncovering her limiting money story, Jhoanna’s journey will inspire you as much as it has inspired me. 

Jhoanna Astudillo is the Hispanic segment leader in BOK Financial’s Consumer Division, and the first Hispanic person to serve in this position. She has worked in the financial industry since 2007. Previously, she served in the U.S. Army and has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business and Marketing from Illinois State University.

In this episode you will learn: 

• Jhoanna’s story and why she was referred to as a “ghost”. 
• The steps Jhoanna has taken to improve her relationship with money. 
• How the financial industry is adapting to better service the Latino community and Jhoanna’s role in that.

For a quick recap of this episode go to https://www.jenhemphill.com/410

The post, Cultural Humility Will Set Your Finances Free | HDM 410 appeared first on the Her Dinero Matters Podcast.

Have you ever walked into a bank to request information about a product or service only to hear a long-winded and hard-to-understand explanation that, instead of providing answers, only creates more questions? This is an experience that almost everyone in the Latino community has experienced at least once in their lives. Not because financial concepts, in and by themselves, are too complex or impossible to understand. Not at all. Sometimes, it’s just because the ones giving all the explanations lack a foundational core element that, in an ideal world, every financial educator should have: cultural humility. In this week’s episode, Dr. Melinda Jimenez Perez will share with us what cultural humility is and why this not-so-obvious concept is essential when teaching (and learning!) about all things money. 

Let’s be honest: money and finances may not be as complex or abstract of a topic as calculus or some good old geometry, but still, that doesn’t mean everyone will be able to understand the basic tenets at once.  The way you think and interact with money can be completely different from the way I see it, and that doesn’t make any of us right or wrong. It’s just different. 

According to Dr. Melinda Jimenez, understanding how our own culture impacts the way we see finances and what we can do to improve our situation (even when we might lack “basic” financial knowledge) is the essential working definition of cultural humility. In today’s episode, we will learn why cultural humility is essential for improving financial literacy in the Latino community. 

In this episode you will learn: 

• What cultural humility is and why it’s essential in financial education.
• The power of representation in financial education.
• The rise of financial resource centers and why they matter.

For a quick recap of this episode go to https://www.jenhemphill.com/409

The post, Cultural Humility Will Set Your Finances Free | HDM 409 appeared first on the Her Dinero Matters Podcast.

When you are a parent, you all know sending your kids off to college and out of the house (aka, empty-nesting) will happen eventually, but no one really prepares you for it. And, like everything in this life, different people react to it in different ways. Since that moment in my parenting life is fast approaching, in this week’s episode I want to share a few empty-nesting hidden financial considerations that I’ve discovered along the way and why they matter.

If you’ve already shipped your kids off to college and into the beginning stages of their adult lives, you know this is not an easy step. Not only are you effectively reducing your number of household members (#gasp), but, in a way, you’re finally putting to a test all those years of upbringing. Will your children be able to make the right life and financial decisions? You don’t really know, and everyone keeps saying you can only hope for the best.

But, is that accurate? Does your financial involvement in your kids' lives effectively end on the day they leave for college or have things changed since your own college days? I feel that’s the big question every parent needs to start figuring out now. 

This is why, in today’s HDM episode, I’ll walk you through five (important) financial considerations that are starting to take shape in my planning process. I’ll share with you why these things are important for my journey and what are some key takeaways to consider.

In this episode you will learn: 

• Storytime: why has empty-nesting been on my mind lately?
• The positives: a couple of great things I’m actually looking forward to.
• Five financial considerations that I hadn’t thought about before.

For a quick recap of this episode go to https://www.jenhemphill.com/408

The post, The Hidden Costs of Empty Nesting | HDM 408 appeared first on the Her Dinero Matters Podcast.

Having honest and open conversations about real topics with our close friends is an essential part of life. And sometimes, knowing what other people are chatting with their pals can be truly eye-opening. If you’ve ever wondered how a conversation between two GenX women who are going through similar life experiences sounds like, you’re in for a true reveal. In this week’s episode, I’m having an informal chat with my good friend Librada Estrada about our kids stepping into adulthood, our health, and, of course, preparing financially for our future.

Have you ever found yourself going through challenges or circumstances that no one else seems to be relating to? It’s not that your issues are uncommon or only specific to you, not at all. It’s more that you would prefer to have an open conversation with someone who not only is close to you but is also going through the same life stage as you are. Someone who relates to your lived experience in the way only a close friend can. 

Well, this week’s episode is a great opportunity to sneak peek into how such a conversation unfolds! This week I’m having an informal chat with my long-time friend Librada Estrada on all things money, planning, and, of course, health.

In this episode, you’ll get to be a fly on the wall while two GenX women going through similar experiences talk about life, money, and health.

In this episode you will learn: 

• Thoughts on helping your kids transition into adulthood (plot twist: it ain’t simple!)
• Why always keeping in mind your future needs is the best mindset to have when thinking about retirement.
• The importance of having (and holding to) a vision when setting up your goals.

For a quick recap of this episode go to https://www.jenhemphill.com/407

The post, A Conversation Entre Amigas | HDM 407 appeared first on the Her Dinero Matters Podcast.

If you are among the millions of people who rely on Google Maps to get to places, use Task Rabbit to find contractors, or have groceries delivered almost anywhere through Instacart, you are not alone. These services may feel like separate entities, but at the end of the day they all have one major thing in common: they are extremely convenient and, as such, most of them come with a hefty price tag. Does this mean you shouldn’t use them? The goal of this week’s episode is to answer that eternal question. Today, I’ll share my thoughts on the price of convenience and how you can use this bonus to your advantage.

Picture the following scenario. It’s mid-week, and instead of decreasing, your workload is at an all-time high. You leave the office exhausted and in a daze, only to realize a few minutes into your commute that, yet again, you forgot about dinner. It seems that your brain just can’t plan a proper grocery haul so, just like you did last week, you decide to take the convenient approach. With just two or three flips through your phone screen, your problem is solved. Dinner will be served at your door in less than half an hour, courtesy of Uber Eats. Convenience may be just a noun, but on a busy Wednesday evening, when you have no mental space left available, it becomes a life-saver. The glue that holds together your packed schedule.

The only problem? Just like any luxury item, choosing the most convenient option usually has an extra fee. Yes, your meal delivery, house cleaning, and transportation services may be extra handy, but they ain’t cheap. 

This is why in today’s episode we are going to have an in-depth discussion about the price of convenience. Why is it that the United States consumer loves convenience so much and what is the true price you are paying for getting some time back in your calendar? 

In this episode you will learn: 

• Snap history: how did these convenient services come to be?
• One risk of relying too much on handy solutions.
• Key things you need to know before signing up for these services.

For a quick recap of this episode go to https://www.jenhemphill.com/406

The post, The Price of Convenience | HDM 406

 appeared first on the Her Dinero Matters Podcast.

Although no one likes to think about financial bumps, the harsh reality is that, as long as you have money in this game, financial loss will always be part of the spectrum of possible outcomes, and while I’m all about positive thinking, I also want to stress the importance of being prepared for even the worst case scenario. This is why, in this week’s episode  I’ll share with you five reasons why you should have a backup plan to protect you when the possibility of total financial loss starts to loom over the horizon.

We all have our own version of the worst nightmare ever. For some, that no-go scenario is filled with creepy crawlers (shudder), crazy heights, or bad news. For others horrible traffic jams, crowded places, and unfortunate circumstances are all that it takes to qualify something as a seriously bad dream. However, if we leave the specifics aside, we can all agree that most of us consider total financial loss as one of the most accurate definitions of nightmarish scenarios.

In today’s day and age, it’s hard to imagine a more anxiety-generating situation than the loss of all our material wealth. In fact, for some people, the possibility of experiencing total financial loss is such an unthinkable scenario that the act of simply considering the possibility is enough to trigger a mini-panic attack. 

While I always strive to remain positive and uplifting, I have to recognize that sometimes being prepared for our worst-case scenarios does pay off. When it comes to total financial loss having a plan in place (aka, your emergency protocol) will always be a savvy choice. 

This is why in this week’s episode, I’ll share with you five reasons why you should have a backup plan to protect you when the possibility of total financial loss starts to loom over the horizon.

In this episode you will learn: 

• Five key reasons why you should always be prepared, both for the good and the bad.
• My insights on how I answered the “What would I do if…?” question.
• How others have responded to this question and their big takeaways.

For a quick recap of this episode go to https://www.jenhemphill.com/405

The post, Total Financial Loss: Can You Prepare For It? | HDM 405

 appeared first on the Her Dinero Matters Podcast.

Splurging or saving? That is the question. And if you have a financial goal that requires you to save big and consistently, you probably know firsthand how stressful and frustrating spending decisions can feel. You see an item that catches your eye big time and, while former you would have proceeded to buy it without any additional thoughts, the new you is running a full forecasting projection the minute you gaze upon the price tag. If this scenario sounds familiar, you’re in good company! In this week’s episode, I’ll share with you a set of guiding questions that will help you navigate the delicate art of figuring out when it’s better to save and when it’s safe to splurge.

No adult life is fully complete without a full set of (deceptively) crucial decisions. Whole wheat or white bread? Cats or dogs? A relaxing staycation or an adventurous one-week vacation? Green juice or salad? All of these will give you a few guaranteed harsh minutes.

However, when it comes to deceptively simple decisions, saying yay or nay to a specific purchase stands in its own category… especially when you’re committed to reducing your spending to the minimum (hello, Great Financial Goals!). What’s more, this mini-mental ordeal becomes even more challenging when you perceive said expense as something with the potential to transform your life (think high-end organic foods, hot and in-demand kitchen appliances, or home & garden items that just feel right).

If you are on a tight spending budget, but also feel compelled to just go and get that item now, the framework I will share in today’s episode might be just what you need. From navigating the complicated emotions that arise when spending decisions show their bizarre face, to actually understanding the thinking that takes place the minute you see that lush patio furniture, this episode has it all!

In this episode you will learn: 

• The I-Needed-This-Yesterday mentality sometimes plays tricks on you, and here’s why.
• Why the road to Big Financial Goals is not always paved with sacrifices.
• The five questions you need to ask yourself before making that spending decision.

For a quick recap of this episode go to https://www.jenhemphill.com/404

The post, Splurging or Saving? Five Guiding Questions to Help You Make Better Spending Decisions| HDM 404

 appeared first on the Her Dinero Matters Podcast.

Have you ever been through a phase in your life when all you want is a serious reset? If you suspect this need to overhaul everything won’t just go away with a few days off or even a short trip to the beach, you’ve landed in the right space. In this week’s episode, I’m sharing a few exciting updates on the direction this podcast will be taking in this new season. And, spoiler alert, it all boils down to one single thing: balance.

How does life look like when we are so busy that we can’t even see properly what’s standing right in front of us? I’m sure that, like most women I know, at some point, you too have been overwhelmed and swamped by life’s circumstances. Whether it’s because you have a demanding job, are in charge of small children with multiple activities and conflicting schedules, or just happen to be the unlucky victim of a complicated commute, sometimes functioning without a good dose of overwhelm is just not an option. When that happens, all we need (all we crave, in fact) is a big, massive break. 

Which is exactly what this podcast did over the summer since, just like you, I’ve also been through one of the busiest seasons ever.

Now that we are back, it is time to share some exciting (and much-needed) updates on what’s going on over the other side of the mic.

In this episode you will learn: 

• A quick update on the format (hint: we are going back to our roots).
• Two exciting business updates (did anyone say better resources?)
• A quick recap of what’s happening on the personal side.

For a quick recap of this episode go to https://www.jenhemphill.com/403

The post, The Start of a Fresh New Season | HDM 403 appeared first on the Her Dinero Matters Podcast.