The Emotional Ledger

Money flows through our lives like an underground river, its currents shaping our choices, relationships, and self-worth in ways we rarely pause to examine. While personal finance books overflow with technical guidance on budgeting, investing, and debt management, they often overlook a crucial truth: our financial behaviors are inextricably linked to our emotional maturity. The … Read more

Financial Wellness for Single Parents

Portrait of happy African-American father playing with two cute daughters and using laptop, copy space

As a single parent, I often compare my financial journey to a solo climb up a mountain. The path is treacherous, with falling rocks in the form of unexpected expenses, and steep climbs of emotional trials and tribulations. But just as any seasoned mountaineer will tell you, it’s all about the right preparation, the correct … Read more

Mindfulness Techniques to Improve Financial Wellness

be mindful

In the bustling whirlwind of our daily lives, mindfulness can be a serene oasis of calm. But what if we could extend that sense of calm to our finances? As a financial psychologist, I’ve seen how powerful this can be. In this blog post, we’ll explore how mindfulness techniques can be used to improve financial behaviors and alleviate financial stress.

Understanding the Financial Impact of Depression

Mental health and financial wellness are two aspects of our lives that are inextricably linked, yet this connection is often overlooked. We frequently compartmentalize these areas, treating them as separate entities when, in reality, they influence and shape one another deeply. I believe that to truly understand and master our financial lives, we must first … Read more

Overcoming Financial Anxiety

Couple friends on a wooden canoe are paddling in water. Sunset Sky Art Render. Taken in Indian Arm, near Deep Cove, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

In the heart of a turbulent ocean, where waves rise and fall with a disquieting unpredictability, you might find a small boat navigating its way through. Each wave, a different challenge; each dip, a different fear. This boat, adrift yet determined, symbolizes my journey through financial anxiety—a journey that led me to the shore of … Read more

Understanding Your Money Triggers

To effectively address your financial triggers, you need to understand what’s causing them in the first place. This can involve taking a close look at how you feel about money, how others around you interact with it, and even exploring the role that psychological factors like impulsivity or perfectionism may play in your spending habits. … Read more

Uncovering Investor Psychology in the Digital Age

In the complicated world of finance, understanding the psychological factors that influence investor behavior has become a lucrative skillset. Behavioral Finance, a field that melds the study of psychology with financial decision-making, sheds light on the complexities of investor behavior beyond the traditional models of finance. With the advent of social media, a vast, untapped … Read more

Budgeting with Bipolar: Financial Highs and Lows

When it comes to managing finances, individuals with bipolar disorder face unique challenges. Bipolar disorder, characterized by alternating periods of elevated mood (mania) and depression, can significantly impact a person’s ability to make sound financial decisions. During manic phases, an individual might be prone to impulsive spending, taking on debts, or making high-risk investments. On … Read more

Risk Tolerance and Personality: Tailoring Your Financial Strategy

When it comes to personal finance, one size does not fit all. Your approach to saving, investing, and spending is profoundly influenced by two interconnected factors: your risk tolerance and your personality. Understanding this relationship is crucial in developing a financial strategy that not only yields results but also aligns with your comfort levels and … Read more

The Heart of Money: An Insight into Behavioral Economics

Behavioral economics is like the vibrant underpainting of a traditional economic canvas. It adds depth and color to the otherwise black-and-white world of traditional economics, painting a more holistic and realistic picture of how we make financial decisions. Simply put, behavioral economics is the study of psychology as it relates to the economic decision-making processes … Read more

Overcoming Investment Anxiety

couple feeling anxiety about money

Money, for many, is not just a physical entity but an emotional construct, woven with dreams, aspirations, and, quite often, fears. In the landscape of personal finance, investment becomes a peak often admired from afar but seldom scaled. The paradox here is profound: people yearn for the growth that investment can bring, yet they remain … Read more

Riding the Ups and Downs of the Market

black and white roller coaster

As an investor, market volatility is inevitable. Prices of stocks, bonds, and other securities routinely experience shifts—sometimes minor, sometimes dramatic. As much as we may try to predict market movements, the reality is we can never fully anticipate or control short-term fluctuations. When faced with volatility, it’s essential for investors to keep perspective, remain patient, … Read more

Parenting on a Budget: My Journey as a Single Mom

Mother and daughter celebrating Christmas eating a cupcake

As I sit here today, a certified financial psychologist, author, and advocate for financial wellness, I can’t help but reflect on the winding road that brought me here. It’s a journey punctuated by highs and lows, moments of despair, and flickers of hope. But there’s one aspect of this journey that profoundly shaped who I … Read more

Conquering Fear on Your Financial Empowerment Journey

Hey there, dear readers! Let’s explore the emotions that arise when we confront the unknown and discover strategies for overcoming fear and embracing financial empowerment. In life, we often encounter moments that stir up feelings of uncertainty and apprehension, and when it comes to our finances, fear can have a powerful grip on our decision-making. … Read more

The Perils of Mobile Gaming Addiction

Mobile games, designed with engaging algorithms that tap into the brain’s reward centers, can blur the lines between recreation and addiction. The free-to-play model and in-game purchases can quickly accumulate and distort the perception of value, leading to financial strain. Additionally, Skinner Box principles applied in these games can induce obsessive behavior.