Getting your finances together (no judgment, just real talk)

Christine D.

I didn’t grow up talking about Roth IRAs or credit scores at the dinner table. What I knew about money came from watching the people around me survive—not thrive. I learned how to stretch, hustle, and make do. But budgeting? Investing? Understanding my paycheck? That came later… painfully, and mostly through trial and error. For a long time, I carried shame about what I didn’t know. I thought I was behind. I thought I was bad with money. But the truth is, I was never taught. And that’s not a personal failure—it’s a systemic one. Eventually, I got tired of feeling anxious every time I checked my bank account. I started reading, asking questions, unlearning toxic money beliefs, and building systems that actually worked for me. I’m not a financial advisor—but I am someone who understands what it’s like to figure it out as you go. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of “getting it together,” but deep down you want to be more in control of your money—you’re in the right place. We can start wherever you are.

Continuing with life after loss and redefining your role in your family

Larry K.

As a widowed father of four and grandfather to eleven, I’ve experienced the full spectrum of family life—raising children, watching them grow into parents themselves, and finding ways to stay connected through the inevitable changes life throws at you. After a 42-year marriage, losing my spouse was a profound loss. It taught me the importance of rediscovering who I am as an individual and redefining my role. I understand that parenting today is different from how it was when I was raising my kids. With the pressures of one income not being enough and evolving societal norms, families are facing new challenges. I’ve spent years supporting my children through their own parenting issues and offering a compassionate, nonjudgmental space to navigate these shifts. I’m here to offer a listening ear, to explore possible solutions, and to help you redefine your role in both family and life. Sometimes, all it takes is a thoughtful question or perspective to shift how we view things.

Navigating financial stress as a single parent

Sarita B.

Financial stress first hit me hard when I became a single mother. The emotional and physical demands of parenting alone collided with the reality of limited income and rising debt. I often felt paralyzed by the weight of financial insecurity. It wasn’t just the logistics of paying bills—it was the feeling of being trapped, of falling behind while others moved forward, and of constantly being reminded of childhood poverty I had hoped to leave behind. At my lowest, debt felt like an 800-pound gorilla sitting on my chest. I shrank in social circles where others had more financial stability, and struggled to feel like I belonged. But over time, I began to face things head-on. I made one small step each day—checking my bank account, making hard phone calls, asking for help. I learned that the fear of doing something was often far worse than the task itself. Though financial stress still lingers, my mindset has shifted. Even though it can still feel hard, I’ve seen my own strength in action. I now understand that money doesn’t define me—my values, my efforts, and my love for my child do. That clarity allows me to move through challenges with more grace, confidence, and self-worth.

Financial disagreements as a neurodivergent individual

Solangel J.

Talking about money hasn’t always come easy for me. I grew up with a lot of mixed messages—sometimes silence, sometimes stress, sometimes guilt. So when I started navigating financial conversations in adult relationships (especially with my partner), I found myself avoiding the hard stuff. Not because I didn’t care—but because it was overwhelming, emotional, and sometimes just straight-up uncomfortable. As a neurodivergent person, financial decision-making can feel like a juggling act. I’m managing executive dysfunction, energy crashes, sensory needs—and on top of that, trying to budget, plan, and save in a world that doesn’t exactly make that easy. Add in different money styles between me and my partner? Cue the tension. There were moments where one of us felt restricted, while the other felt anxious about overspending. Times where communication broke down, not because we didn’t love each other, but because we were speaking two totally different emotional ‘money languages.’ And when we tried to talk about it, it sometimes turned into shutdowns, spirals, or defensiveness. What helped us wasn’t just spreadsheets or cutting lattes—it was learning how to slow down and get honest about our values, habits, and emotional triggers around money. We started naming our fears without blame, building trust around the why behind our decisions, and figuring out how to create a financial rhythm that actually respected both of our needs. So if you’re facing money tension—with your partner, family, or even yourself—you’re not alone. Let’s take the shame out of the conversation and find a way forward that’s real and workable.