How much should you spend to show you love your Valentine? Perhaps flowers and candy, dinner and drinks in a 5-star restaurant or a pricey piece of jewelry. Does Cupid’s arrow need to be tied to the green or plastic in your wallet? Now, it really is okay to celebrate Valentine’s Day if it makes you feel good. But don’t get blinded into believing you only get one day in February to say “I love you.” And don’t rob your finances to pay for a pricey date-night or armful of flowers. Consider alternatives to using money to express your feelings. … Continue reading →

Worldwide economic woes continue to be front and center in the news. And now, they’re dominating the primary campaign rhetoric. But is anyone with a microphone really listening to YOU? Is anyone really listening to how you’re wrestling with the uncertainties staring wide-eyed every time you do your monthly bills, fill your gas tank or shop for groceries? Just because THEY are not listening doesn’t mean your story is not worth telling. The story of your financial concerns, your fears and joys—and most importantly how you are coping—is important to others. In fact by sharing with each other, we can … Continue reading →

No one’s immune to our worldwide economic woes. We’re tightening our belts, making better money decisions and adjusting our lives. But the horizon doesn’t look so sunny. So how do we cope? How do we continue to find meaning and happiness in our lives with so much uncertainty? I truly believe that barricading ourselves from the outer world causes isolation and fear, and keeps us from taking action. On the other hand, dialog and sharing with others are positive coping mechanisms. By connecting with others, we can grow and learn from each. And experience the openness that lets us take … Continue reading →

In the midst of the holiday frenzy and after holiday sales, don’t forget to keep your spending on track. You can still download my free Holiday Cash Flow Plan at kathrynamenta.com/tools.html. Use this practical tool to make an advance shopping list and take it with you every time you go to any store (even for that last minute wrapping paper). Don’t shop off the list. Here’s some helpful self-talk to also take shopping: I trust myself to make mindful purchasing decisions I feel good about the purchasing decisions I make. I don’t jeopardize my family finances by shopping without thinking. … Continue reading →

It seems to happen every holiday season. Only this year more extreme. Step into a brightly decorated store and your plan to spend on budget gets over-dazzled by the too-good-to-pass up stuff on sale. So here’s my gift to you this holiday season. An easy and useful tool for keeping your holiday shopping on track. Download my free Holiday Cash Flow Plan at kathrynamenta.com/tools.html and make a conscious shopping list for all your holiday purchases. From the gifts for friends and family to the celebrations, decorations, donations and travel. Take these lists with you when you shop and let them … Continue reading →

Even as the economy crisis continues to tank, we have so much to be thankful for in our lives. ‘Tis the season to pause and express gratitude, and to take action to sustain what we have. Display gratitude for the money that sustains your life by creating your 2012 Annual Money Plan. Gain the tools for managing the precious money you earn, and paying down debt while growing savings for your future and the unpredictable. Call 415.333.6972 to schedule an appointment for creating your 2012 Annual Money Plan. Take control of your finances as you enter the holidays and New … Continue reading →

‘Tis the season to be jolly, but the economic crisis spiraling out of control can make us feel anything but jolly. Instead, many feel increasingly fearful, and powerless to do anything about it. Taking to the streets in protest is giving some people the sense of taking action. But there is another way to feel control in your own life. Create your 2012 Annual Money Plan now. Enter the holiday season and New Year with an effective tool for managing your money. You’ll take better control of your purchasing decisions by measuring everything against your goals and true needs. You’ll … Continue reading →

Have you noticed as the news about economic destabilization escalates, so do the ads to buy stuff at bargain basement prices? Even if shopping has been your balm for a stressful life, don’t succumb to the cavalcade of offers to buy the bargain du jour without examining if you really need it. The best balm for the stress of living in economic uncertainty is keeping your eyes on what really gives you a sense of peace and order in your life. That involves spending and saving around your priorities and life goals. Don’t settle for the instant gratification of buying … Continue reading →

Everyday, more bad news about economic destabilization here and abroad. None of us are immune to the words of doom and the pundits saying it will only get worse. Even if you’re feeling increasingly anxious about your job, family and home, don’t shut down in fear. Keep the faith—faith, that is, in your own ability to maintain financial order in your life. My formula for faith is  following a personal money plan that helps you manage your spending and saving according to your true needs and goals. A solid plan won’t sugar coat the bad news. But it will help keep … Continue reading →

We no longer have the luxury of expecting people and institutions in control to solve our economic crisis. It’s time for us all to assume control for our own economic stability. Start with a positive outlook and believe you can take charge. Then take action by following a money plan for living within your means. Stay focused on what is important in your life and make purchasing decisions based on your true needs. Put money into savings regularly, even as you pay down debt. That’s the ticket to gaining a sense of control in this uncontrollable world.