Money You Should Ask

Episode 215: At certain times in our lives we seek approval from others. It's a basic human need. But what happens when we become too reliant on the approval of others to define our self-worth? We can start to lose sight of who we are and what we want in life. Often as we begin to blossom into our true selves, we encounter push back and conflict from other people from whom we are seeking approval. Advocating for ourselves and staying in connection with others are an important part of the journey of self-discovery. Are you willing to push through the discomfort of confrontation to have the life you choose?

In my conversation with conflict resolution coach Jerry Fu, we discuss how people pleasing can lead us FURTHER FROM the path we truly desire. We also talk about meeting expectations set by other people at the cost of our own integrity. This episode explores the willingness to simply "go for it" even though you may not have perfected all the skills; being a work in progress doesn't mean that your goals are invalid. Jerry's expertise lies in his conflict resolution skills, and in this great conversation he expresses how having those skills gave him the courage to explore a life outside of people pleasing and expectations.

Grab a free guide, A Simple Framework for Hard Conversations, to help you successfully navigate your professional and personal relationships to experience clarity, confidence and closure.

Episode 214: NEFE in November. Part 3

A high school education is supposed to prepare students for the "real world." However, for many students, the reality is that they graduate without any real-world knowledge of personal finance. This is a problem because personal finance is one of the most important life skills that somebody can have.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how many American adults live on the financial edge, and this has boosted ongoing efforts to make financial literacy a mandatory part of high school education.

This month we're celebrating the 30th anniversary of the National Endowment for Financial Education. To honor this special event, I've invited some of the staff from NEFE to discuss some of the most recent topics and statistics from polls they have conducted that are impacting financial education. We'll also talk about how financial literacy helped shape their personal lives - both the good times as well as tough moments.

In this episode, I chat with Emma Donahue, NEFE's manager of Policy and Advocacy, who focuses on advancing NEFE's policies around K-12 financial education mandates. All that is equal is not always equitable. We discuss the importance of starting a financial education early to empower kids to learn about money.

To learn more about NEFE's recent article, Not all Mandates are Created Equal: a 2022 Legislative Recap, visit NEFE.org

Episode 213

To be an entrepreneur, you need to have the willingness to adapt and change rapidly. You need to wake up one moment with an idea for your business; then within seconds you're thinking about what steps to take in order make it happen- all while still maintaining a level head space so as not lose yourself or become distracted along the way.

In this episode, entrepreneur and communications coach Brenden Kumaraswamy joins me to talk about the zone of excellence and the mindset required to be an entrepreneur. Why is personal development so important? We also explore how time is potentially more valuable than money. What would you do if you had all the time in the world?

Brenden Kumaraswamy is the founder of MasterTalk, he coaches ambitious executives & entrepreneurs to become top 1% communicators in their industry. He also has a popular YouTube channel called MasterTalk, with the goal of providing free access to communication tools for everyone.

To learn more about this episode, visit: https://go2.money/zone

Episode 212: NEFE in November. Part 2.

Have you had the opportunity to take financial education courses or training during school, at the workplace, one-on-one or in another setting? And did you take it?

It's more important than ever to be financially aware. Fortunately, there are many opportunities to learn about personal finance, whether it's in school, at work, or even on your own. Taking advantage of opportunities that feel right for you, can set yourself up for future financial success, whatever that looks like for you.

This month we're celebrating the 30th anniversary of the National Endowment for Financial Education. To honor this special event, I've invited some of the team from NEFE to discuss some of the most recent topics and statistics from polls they have conducted that are impacting the personal finance space. We'll also talk about how financial literacy helped shape their personal lives.

I hope you enjoy part 2 in our 5-part series of "NEFE in NOVEMBER with our special Guest, Managing Director of Insights at NEFE: Amy Marty Conrad where we discuss a recent article regarding how individuals with financial education opportunities choose to take them in overwhelming numbers. To learn more about the article and "Financial Education access" visit NEFE.org

To learn more about this epsiode, visit: https://go2.money/access

Episode 211: Imagine how much easier buying a home would be if you knew exactly what lenders were looking for. Lenders take some significant factors into account when approving a mortgage. Knowledge is power, and understanding the mortgage approval process can give us that edge in our quest to find an ideal home at the right price and time.

In this episode, Brighton Gbarazia offers a behind-the-scenes look into some of the key factors that banks and lenders won't tell you when applying for a mortgage.

Brighton is a financial and real estate expert with over a decade of experience working as a financial advisor and mortgage underwriter for some of Canada's largest banks and credit unions. He is the Founder of Wealth Marathon and author of Master Your Mortgage: What the bank won't tell you about buying the right home.

There are plenty of books about real estate, but more is needed for real people looking at buying real estate. For the insider's guide to a mortgage, pick up a copy of Master Your Mortgage.

To learn more about this episode, connect with Brighton and a transcript, visit https://go2.money/mortgage

Episode 210: NEFE in November. Part 1.

There's no question that personal finance can be a complex and often confusing topic. With so many different products, services, and terms to understand, it's no wonder that so many people feel overwhelmed when it comes to managing their money.

Would a financial literacy course have helped you on your path? Do you think every teen should take a financial literacy course before graduation to help with foundational financial skill sets?

The good news is that there are organizations like NEFE (National Endowment for Financial Education) that are dedicated to helping people understand and take control of their financial well-being, and that includes teens.

30 years ago, NEFE began their commitment to further the field of financial well-being. And in celebration of this milestone my team and I have created this special series called NEFE In November. Each week for the month of November, I invite an employee of NEFE to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing personal finance education in the US today.

In this episode, it's my pleasure to have President & CEO of NEFE, Dr Billy Hensley, back again to discuss a recent NEFE poll that explores the need for effective financial education in schools.

Learn more about NEFE's recent article and poll; Most Adults Support Financial Education Mandates.

Billy J. Hensley, Ph.D., is the president and CEO of the National Endowment for Financial Education. Since his appointment in 2018, Dr. Billy has led NEFE through the development and execution of its first strategic plan, sharpening the organization's mission, vision and core values, and cultivating broader transparency and effectiveness. He is charging the organization to redefine financial education through more focused philanthropy, research and collaboration.

To learn more about this episode, visit: https://go2.money/schools

Episode 209: Money is one of those taboo topics that many cultures are hesitant to talk about. But why is that? Why do we feel uncomfortable discussing something that is such an integral part of our lives?

By understanding the cultural beliefs around money, we can learn to better manage our finances and build stronger financial futures. So, let's explore some of the different cultural attitudes towards money and see what we can learn from them!

In this episode, I chatted with financial coach and mentor Walli Miller and we talk about the cultural beliefs in her life around money. As a woman of color with little financial knowledge, she embarked on a journey to educate herself about how to buy back her time and experience financial freedom. Along the way, she noticed that the finance industry was an echo chamber and lacked diversity. She felt compelled to change that.

Walli Miller is a financial coach who teaches women how to take control of their finances and secure financial independence through balanced spending, saving, and wealth-building without deprivation. The founder of Financially Thriving Money Coaching, Walli didn't always understand money or building wealth. Walli is a first-generation college graduate, Latina, and the daughter of an immigrant. Born and raised in the Bronx, she's the first millionaire in her family and now she will be work-optional by age 40.

Walli Miller lives in New York City with her husband and blue-eyed French Bulldog named Casper.

Find out how to create a spending plan, save for future goals, and learn how to feel confident on your wealth-building journey. Download Walli's Financial Wellness Roadmap for free.

To learn more about Walli, links mentioned, and a transcript of this episode, visit: https://go2.money/thriving

Why is it that money can be so emotionally charged? One reason is that money often represents our worth and status in society. We may feel ashamed or embarrassed if we don't have enough money, or we may feel superior if we do. Additionally, money can be a source of stress because it's often unclear how we should use it. Should we save for the future or spend now? Is there such a thing as too much saved up? These are all questions that can lead to anxiety and stress.

In this episode, wealth advocate and founder of Financial Fundamentals-Jenn Wolowich, joins me to discuss the psychology of money. We explore the difficulty in distinguishing between the person & the money - "I'm a bad person because I am terrible with money." We joke about there being no parades or confetti when we are financially responsible. Jenn vulnerably shares a personal story about wrestling with the need to rob her daughter's piggy bank.

Jenn has been a money nerd her whole life. While her friends were playing barbies, she was creating a make-believe bank complete with real deposit and withdrawal slips and an even old cheque book from the neighbour. Playing bank didn't stop her from making terrible financial decisions as an adult and robbing her daughter's piggy bank to pay credit card bills.

Armed with a degree in psychology, her Financial Advisor designation and her passion for consumer-debt freedom, Jenn is empowering families and individuals to take control of their finances and eliminate financial stress.

If you're feeling anxious about your finances, visit financialfundamentals.ca and learn how take control of your money. Jenn will help you eliminate debt, save on taxes, protect your wealth and master your cash flow so you can rest easy about the future.

To learn more about Jenn, links mentioned, and a transcript of this episode, visit: https://go2.money/fundamentals

In order to make a good impression on others, we might do things that don't always align with our values. We might pretend to be someone we're not or put up a facade to make ourselves look better. While these things might seem necessary in the moment, they can cost us in the long run. By compromising our values, we lose sight of who we are and what's important to us and invite a whole lot of unwanted stress into our lives.

So instead of trying so hard to impress others, the focus should be on being true to ourselves, and building positive relationships based on honesty and respect.

In this conversation with entrepreneur and founder of the crystal inspired activewear brand, Confused Girl, Giovanna Silvestre, shares her journey from cool jobs - unhappy person to risking it all for freedom and peace, happy person. We talk about the struggles of letting go of safety and starting your own biz, when others say "get a real job". We also explore when a failure is no longer a failure. It becomes a lesson and how to recognize the difference.

Giovanna created her activewear brand, Confused Girl, from the ground up. She's designed and successfully marketed a full collection of crystal inspired products, accumulated over 1,000 loyal Brand Ambassadors worldwide and has been featured on NBC, Forbes, Influencive, and many more international publications.

She's spent several years living in different parts of the world (Indonesia, Thailand, and Italy to name a few). The self-love and courage Giovanna developed were made possible by the lessons she writes about in her soon-to-be-released book Confused Girl, Find Your Peace in the Chaos. For more information on the release of her book, follow her on Instagram @confusedgirlla.

For more information about Giovanna, links mentioned, and a transcript of this episode, visit: https://go2.money/confusedgirl

Is there a dream or goal you've put on the back burner, telling yourself you'll get to it "one day"? Maybe you're not sure how to go about making a change, or fear that you might not be successful. But what if I told you that delaying your dreams is actually costing you more than taking the leap? Trusting your desire to change direction in life is the first step on the path to making it happen.

In this episode, I chat with transformational coach Melissa DaSilva LICSW. She was living a life that she thought she was supposed to be living. It wasn't a bad one but after a life altering "aha" moment, Melissa realized her life needed to change direction. So she got really clear on what she wanted, created an action plan, and took the necessary steps, and went for it.

Melissa also delves into the emerging technology of NFTs'. What are they and how they are impacting artists around the world.

Melissa is a successful physical NFT artist, entrepreneur, therapist, author and coach who motivates other LGBTQIA+ individuals, entrepreneurs, and artists to take their life and career to the next level.

She is the author of "The Profitable Practice: Helping Healing Professionals Build and Grow a Successful Business." Melissa is the creator and host of the successful LGBTQIA+ podcasts Pride Connections and Chit Chat with the Queer and Creative. You can also find her on the weekly Youtube show "The Next Chapter," where she and her cohost discuss all topics related to being single and getting older in our world today.

Visit Melissa's website to learn more about her work and how she can help you create the life you want.

For more information about Melissa, her NFTs' links mentioned, and a transcript of this episode, visit: https://go2.money/NFT