Have you ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly manage their finances while others struggle, despite having similar incomes or financial knowledge? The answer might lie not in their bank accounts, but in their hearts and minds. While financial literacy is undoubtedly important, there’s another crucial factor at play that often goes overlooked: emotional intelligence (EI). As Darwin Nelson and Gary Low astutely observed in 2011, “Emotional intelligence is the single most important influencing variable […]
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The C-word
Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. One day, everything’s running smoothly – you’re hitting your stride at work, the kids are thriving, and you’ve finally started that healthy eating plan. The next day, a single word changes everything: Cancer. It’s a word that sends shivers down our spines, a diagnosis that none of us ever want to face. But here’s the stark reality – cancer doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care […]
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Calm needn’t be the focus
We often think that financial peace or calm is the ultimate goal when it comes to managing our money. We hear phrases like “financial peace of mind” or “calming the storm of debt” and we think, “Yes, that’s what I want. I just want everything to be calm.” And while there’s nothing wrong with seeking calm, it’s not the point. The real goal? Connection. Connection with our money, our values, our goals—and yes, with the people […]
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Ten Rules – Part 2
In the first part of this series, we explored five essential rules for personal finance, inspired by “The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated” by Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack. The rules in the blog spoke to things like spending less than we earn, paying off credit card debt, save 10-20% of our income, augmenting contributions to retirement investments, and creating an emergency fund — all laying the groundwork for financial stability […]
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Spending with intention
In her thought-provoking book “The Year of Less,” Cait Flanders shares a powerful insight: “Every time you make a purchase, you’re voting with your dollar for the kind of world you want to live in.” This simple yet profound statement invites us to reconsider our relationship with consumption and its impact on our financial well-being. Mindful consumption isn’t just about spending less; it’s about spending with intention. It’s about understanding that each purchase we make is […]
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Ten Rules – Part 1
Whilst it’s easy to get lost in a sea of jargon, investment options, and conflicting advice, financial success doesn’t require a degree in economics or hours spent poring over market trends. In fact, according to Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack in their book The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated, everything you need to know about managing your money can fit on a single index card. Yes, you read that right—just ten […]
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A missing link between money and happiness
What if you found out that your current financial plan might be working against you, not for you? That despite all your careful budgeting and saving, you’re missing a crucial element that could make or break your financial well-being? It might be time to talk about values-based financial planning – the missing link between your money and your happiness. Life is a precious gift, and it’s too short to spend our time and resources on things […]
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The freedom to live life on your terms
Here’s one of the hardest (or least asked…) questions when it comes to financial planning: “How much is enough?” It’s a simple question, but one that most people never stop to consider. We’re so caught up in the race for ‘more’ that we forget to ask ourselves why we’re running in the first place. It’s a vital question that we need to ask, so much so that Paul Armson wrote a book about it – “Enough? […]
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The gap between our income and ego
Is money linked to our ego? It’s a question that invites us to reflect on the deeper motivations behind our financial decisions. Morgan Housel, in his thought-provoking way, suggests that “savings is the gap between your income and your ego.” This statement can be confronting, especially because it challenges us to consider the extent to which our financial behaviours are driven by a desire to maintain or enhance our sense of self-worth. While Housel’s observation holds […]
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Nudging, not judging
Change is one of those things that we all know is necessary but often struggle with. Whether it’s a change in our spending habits, our health routines, or our approach to relationships, the process can be daunting. The desire to improve is there, but the path forward isn’t always clear or easy. This is where the concept of “nudging, not judging” can be transformative. It’s about guiding ourselves and others toward positive change with gentle encouragement […]
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