Spending with Intention: Aligning Your Finances with Your Values

Man thinking about finances with icons representing budgeting, spending, and values — Spend with intention.

You’re earning a good income. The money is coming in. But somehow, things still feel tight—or worse, out of control. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The missing piece might be spending with intention—a mindset shift that helps your money reflect your values. Many people feel frustrated, overwhelmed, and unsure why they can’t seem […]

Why “We’ll Figure It Out” Isn’t a Financial Strategy

Woman shrugging with text overlay that says ‘Why hoping it will all works out isn’t a strategy’ — representing the ‘we’ll figure it out’ mentality in personal finance

All too often, people commit to new expenses without knowing if they can truly afford them. They move forward with a “we’ll figure it out” mentality—hoping it will all work out in the end. Another subscription here, a kids’ activity there, a slightly higher car payment—it all seems manageable in the moment. But when there’s […]

Mid-Year Money Check-In: What’s Working and What’s Not

Woman surprised about being halfway through the year, mid-year money check-in reminder.

We’re halfway through 2025, which makes this the perfect time for a mid-year money check-in. I hope your summer includes some sunshine, connection, and a little room to breathe. Below are three questions to guide your mid-year money check-in and help you see what’s working, what’s not, and where you might want to make changes. […]

How to Create a Summer Budget That Actually Works

Blue ‘Reset My Budget’ button on a desk with the words ‘Before Summer Hits: Give Your Budget a Quick Reset’ from Smart Money Financial Coaching.

Summer can be one of the most expensive times of the year—but it doesn’t have to derail your finances. With a little planning, you can enjoy the season and stay on track with your money goals. Creating a summer budget is the key to making the most of the season—without overspending or adding to your […]

Stop Relying on Credit Cards: Break the Cycle for Good

Graphic promoting the blog post “How to Stop Relying on Credit Cards,” focused on financial coaching and essential expenses like gas and groceries.

Let’s talk about something that happens far more often than people realize: relying on credit cards just to get through the week. Groceries, gas, prescriptions, school lunches—these aren’t luxuries. They’re everyday needs. But when money is tight between paychecks, the credit card often becomes the only option left. For a lot of people, this pattern […]

Financial Coaching Is More Than Budgeting

Financial coaching helps people move beyond budgeting with personalized plans.

Budgeting didn’t work? You’re not alone. Many of the people I work with have tried budgeting tools, apps, and spreadsheets—but still feel stuck. That’s because financial coaching is more than just budgeting. A spreadsheet can’t fix what’s really going on with your money. A lot of my financial coaching clients come to me after trying […]