Empowered Planning Blog

I sit down with real estate agent Jenifer J. to talk about how we can mentally and emotionally prepare for the home buying process in this wacky real estate market. She gives us great tips for navigating the housing market in 2021.

A year ago, I wouldn’t have guessed that we would be impacted by the pandemic in such a dramatic way. We have been challenged in ways we couldn’t imagine and a lot of growth has come alongside this journey. So where do we go from here? Here are 3 tips you can use to make sure you can practice financial wellness going into the next few months.

• Raise Financial Awareness – Whether you have money on your mind all the time or it’s an afterthought, I want to invite you to simply be aware of your spending. In general, spending during lockdown has decreased because we’re not grabbing grub at our favorite spots and travel has been almost non-existent. If you have kids, all the extra’s have been put on hold. As stimulus checks flow in and karate classes and your favorite brewery opens up, do a pause before you swipe. Trust me, I want to eat out and not do the dishes for the millionth time and I’m ready to jet set but spending blindly can be...

The pandemic has more women leaving the workforce than men. As women are faced with the impossible choice of career over family, we are in what is now being called the SheCession. Learn what we can do to prevent losing decades of progress for working women.

As we enter into March of 2021, are you on track to reach the financial goals you set for yourself this year? I’m here to hold you accountable and be your advocate for positive impact! The holiday buzz has long worn off and there was no easing into 2021. Setting annual financial goals is a moot exercise if you aren’t able to measure and track your progress, so let’s carve out a few minute and do it right now. Here are 3 tips for staying on track to hit your 2021 financial goals.

#1- Begin with the end in mind.

In Stephen Covey’s bestseller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective, he challenges readers to image the end of their lives as a reference for evaluating everything else. I’m tasking you to take a bit-size piece of this and start with December 31st, 2021 with the end in mind. Picture yourself counting down to the New Year. What are you most proud of financially that you accomplished this year?

If you haven’t already set financial goals for this...

Entrepreneurship comes with freedom and flexibility making it exciting to take the leap of faith. As you find success, you also find new challenges: new level, new devil. With so many balls to juggle, like visionary, sales, marketing, the list goes on, financial goals can be put on the back burner. So it’s not surprising that many entrepreneurs neglect saving and investing for their future. To help you navigate the wild world of entrepreneurship I've picked 3 financial areas you shouldn't neglect: 

#1- Set money aside for taxes.

Depending on your type of work, cash infusions into the business can ebb and flow making it difficult to predict your total income. It’s a safe bet to set aside 30% of your business income for taxes purposes.  If you don’t pay enough taxes throughout the year, you can be charged a penalty by the time you file. It’s important to explore paying quarterly estimated taxes. Click Here to learn more from the IRS website.

#2-...

Tired of the same heart shaped chocolates on Valentine’s Day? Ready to spice up your relationship? Enter finances. While finances are a leading cause of fights among couples, proactively discussing financial goals can bring couples closer together. Understanding your partner on a deeper level, like their financial values, can open a door to an intimacy that has long lasting impact.

We all have been there. You fall deeply in love. You can stare into each other’s eyes for hours. You can finish each other’s sentences AND sandwiches. But what happens when you float down from the love cloud? Financial transparency and compatibility are accompanied by fidelity. So in addition to the sweet nothings you whisper to your lover this V-Day, spice it up by talking finances.

Here are 3 healthy tips for talking money with your partner.

#1- Set the stage. Randomly asking your partner financial questions can put them on the defensive. We all have money values that are unique to our...

3 Financial Considerations Before You Make The Leap

Whether you’re starting your own business, changing careers or , you may be presented with a bump in pay or the tough choice of taking a step back in salary. Before you take a leap of faith I want to give you 3 financial considerations because hindsight can be 20/20. Don’t worry, I got your back!

Monthly Cash Flow

The first thing to consider is the pay increase or pay cut you’ll be taking. I often hear people say they'll save more money when they're making more money. But more often than not when you start making more money, you find ways to spend it- I'm totally guilty of this! Here are some examples, you move into a nicer place or get the new car you’ve been waiting for so, the list goes on! Any time you have a change in income, it’s a great practice to pause and look at your monthly spending and set guidelines on what you’ll do with this extra income. Click here to find out more...