Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during and after my free consultation?

During your free consultation, my goal is for us to learn about one another to determine if financial coaching is right for you. If you decide you’d like to work with me, in each subsequent session I will: 1) check in to see how things have been going from our previous session, 2) address any questions you have, and 3) create action steps for you to work through before your next session that align with your long-term goals.

How do I know if I would benefit from financial coaching?

If you:

• Have financial goals but you’re not making the progress you’d like and need some extra motivation, encouragement, education, or guidance.

• Never had personal finance and money management modeled or taught, or you did, but you’re still unsure of how to do it well so you can see the financial benefits.

• Feel like talking about your finances is always discouraging or stressful because you don’t see the benefit or gains from managing your money.

• Are not sure where your money seems to go each month, and it seems to have more control over you than you have over it.

Then, let’s talk. Schedule your free consultation here.

Is a financial coach and financial advisor the same thing?

No. While both help their clients better navigate their finances and can provide financial insight, financial advisors focus on a client’s investments by making recommendations and manage the client’s investment portfolio. Financial coaches help clients identify the behaviors guiding where and how their money is spent and changes needed in order to achieve their financial goals.

Can you make any guarantees to financial coaching?

While I can’t make any guarantees as your coach because the one who has the power to make changes and take action is you and not me, I can guarantee you that I will be with you to work as hard as you are willing to work. My role is to give you the tools, education, accountability, encouragement, and motivation to reach your goals. While I can give you the paints, the brushes, the lessons, and help you see a new picture for your future, only you can actually paint your picture, not me or anyone else. But I’m here with you, and can’t wait to see you succeed!

Will I need to work with other financial professionals or will my financial coach cover all my financial needs?

In my role as your financial coach, I will help oversee or guide your whole financial picture, but at some point, you may need work with other financial professionals (i.e. CPAs, insurance brokers, financial advisors, etc.) to help with your specific situation. Think of me like the general contractor of a building project; the general contractor oversees the project but may still need to subcontract an electrician, plumber, etc. as needed in order to make sure steps are being taken to reach the final goal.

What credentials does a financial coach have?

To be a financial coach, you do not have to have a specific degree in college or even a certification (although some do). There are lots of different philosophies out there on personal finance management. Because of this, it’s critical that you TRUST your financial coach and are aligned on your approach to personal finance.

For 15 years, I have followed and lived by the steps Dave Ramsey lays out in his Financial Peace University course and books. (I invite you to read my bio to learn more about me and my personal finance journey.) In 2024, I received my certificate of completion from Ramsey Solutions in their “Financial Coach Master Training” course and am excited to help others along their financial journey.

How frequently do we meet and how many times will we meet?

Ultimately, that is up to you. Typically, it’s best to meet once a month. After our consultation, I will make a recommendation of how many times we should meet in order to see progress towards your financial goals.

How long is each session, and what if we run out of time?

Each session lasts up to 1 hour. If in the last 10 minutes of our meeting time it appears that we could use more time, then I will make the recommendation for another session (if we’re not already scheduled to do so). This amount of time allows us to follow up on our previously made action steps as well as make new action steps without it being so long that it becomes overwhelming.

Where will we meet?

I’m located in Winter Springs, Florida, so if you prefer to meet in person, then we can schedule a meeting at a coffeeshop or library. However, for people who are not local or for convenience, we can have a video meeting online.

My finances are already tight. How am I supposed to pay you?

This is a valid and reasonable question. Initially, it may seem backwards to pay someone to help you with your finances if you’re already struggling to pay your bills each month as it is. But the reality behind most personal finance dilemmas is not a matter of simple math that doesn’t compute, but rather, it’s a person’s behavior and habits that control where the money goes. Change is hard, and it’s not easy, but in almost any area of life, change does not happen if we don’t have skin in the game ourselves. The results matter most to us when we’re invested not just in the end goal, but in the process along the way. If you’re not making the progress or finding the freedom you’d like in your personal finance on your own, then I’d encourage you to not view financial coaching as another bill to pay, but to see it as an investment in yourself, your family, and your future.

I can also promise that if you put in the work and commit to the plan we’ve created, you will see results. The cost for coaching will pay for itself as you reallocate your money for the things that matter most to you and decrease spending in areas that don’t align with your goals. It will pay for itself as you eliminate debt and no longer pay interest to a lender. It will pay for itself as you increase your savings rate and the speed at which you hit your goals. And then, it will be worth the investment as your stress decreases, you put margin back in your life, and strengthen the communication in your relationships.

That being said, financial coaching is a “fee for time” service, meaning that you are paying for the time in which we meet during our sessions. Included in the session fee is the time I spend outside of our session preparing for our time together, following up on action items on my end, and email correspondence with you between our sessions. The specifics of this will be discussed at the end our consultation, and I’ll answer any questions you have. I’m truly honored that you would consider me to walk with you on this very personal and important journey of yours.

I have more questions. How can I get them answered?

Reach out to me via my Contact Page. I look forward to connecting with you soon!

How do I schedule a consult?

Click HERE to schedule a time at your convenience.