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CindyParranBrochu
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Posts by CindyParranBrochu
Follow Your Intuition
Apr 12th
There is so much talk about following your intuition-whether in your personal or professional life. What does that really mean and is it really all that important?
Let me answer that in one word — absolutely! Following your intuition means listening to your heart and gut instead of your head. I’m not talking about following your intuition and taking a week-long vacation in Europe when you know you can’t afford it, but I am talking about changing jobs when you hate what you’re doing and believing in yourself to find a new more fulfilling one, or getting help with your finances when you know that you lack the knowledge, skills and tools to do it yourself.
Recently, I made a decision to follow my intuition. I know that my intuition is 100% right all the time, and it’s proven so over and over again in my life. This decision to follow my intuition came after feeling pulled in two different directions-that of my financial coaching business and that of my wellness business which helps people to live a healthy lifestyle from a personal and financial perspective. In both businesses I’m fortunate to coach people in making big changes but, as you can More >
How to Stay out of Holiday Debt!
Dec 8th
‘Tis the season for giving, and giving is a beautiful thing! Especially when you can afford it! Are you thinking of all the things you want to buy for your children, your husband, and your friends this Christmas? Do you have a plan of exactly how you’ll pay for those purchases? Please, I hope you’re not going to say that you’ll just pull out one of those credit cards!
What’s more important to you during this holiday season? Is it making sure that underneath the tree there are presents galore, or that you have financial peace? Be assured that your loved ones won’t love you any less because you are being fiscally responsible.
Remember, if you overspend and rack up debt during your holiday shopping days, you’ll most likely be starting off 2012 in a way that you really hadn’t intended. Don’t get caught up in all the hoopla during the holidays, instead create a clear plan. I encourage you this holiday season to think before you spend. Here are some helpful tips to keep you out of debt this holiday season:
1. Determine how much you can afford to spend (in cash) on gifts by taking a look at all your expenses for the More >
Financial Excuses: What’s Really Holding You Back?
Oct 24th
What do you think is stopping you from being fully engaged in your finances? Do you start to change your ways with money only to soon find yourself back where you don’t want to be? Have you convinced yourself that you just aren’t good with money? Is it that you fear you won’t succeed?
There are a number of reasons or excuses people use in holding themselves back from being financially successful. Here are a few I’ve heard:
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I’m just crazy busy
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I don’t have the money to get financial help
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I’ve just never been good with money
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It’s just too overwhelming
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I feel alone in managing our finances
Here are my comments and solutions to each reason or excuse:
I’m just crazy busy: We are what we tell ourselves we are! So, if your focus is on being crazy busy and you continue to tell yourself so, you’ll actually never find the time to pay attention to your money. Begin repeating more positive phrases to yourself like, “I have plenty of time to focus on my finances,” then find time each week and schedule a money appointment on your calendar! Doing so will affirm that you do, in fact, have plenty of time to manage your finances. More >
What Does Your FICO Score Say About You?
Sep 19th
Only about one third of Americans have achieved a FICO score of 750 or higher, according to the July issue of Money magazine. Scores range from 300-850, and you can find out yours for $20 at MyFICOcom
So what does your FICO score really say about you? Well, it’s an indicator of how responsible you are with money and helps potential creditors see how you handle the money you earn and borrow. The higher your score, the lower the interest rate you’ll pay on home, automobile, and credit cards. Lenders use this score to assess the risk you represent.
If your score is low, a lender views you as more likely to be unable to pay back the loan. The idea is that past performance is an indicator of future behavior. A good credit score is considered to be 700 or above. Of course, the higher your score, the more negotiating power you’ll have for a lower interest rate.
What goes into a credit score?
There are five major categories that make up a FICO score. Some factors are weighted more heavily, such as your payment history and debt owed. Here’s a breakdown of all five factors and the percentage totals:
1. Payment history (35 percent) — More >
4 Ways to Increase Your Financial IQ
Sep 5th
Do you know what your financial IQ is? You have your IQ, or intelligence quotient, that assesses your overall intelligence level, and an emotional IQ, which measures your ability to control your emotions. Your financial IQ is a measure of your financial intelligence – how well you do with money!
Having a high financial IQ means the most when it comes to your financial success. You can be smart and make a good income but have a low financial IQ, meaning you handle money irresponsibly. A high financial IQ means you make smart financial decisions and take the right action to better your financial circumstances. People with a high financial IQ understand exactly what to do when it comes to managing their money and do it!
Anyone can increase his/her financial IQ. It doesn’t take a Harvard graduate to do so, just pure willingness and commitment to turn your financial situation around. Regardless of how much money you make, you can begin increasing your financial IQ now. This will make you feel financially empowered. Are you ready?
Here are four ways to begin building your financial IQ today!:1. Stop Avoiding: How long would your boss keep you around if you just ignored or avoided More >
Money Plan: 5 Ways Why Spending Less Leads to Living More
Aug 22nd
Does spending less lead to living more? Is that really true? Well, it depends who you ask. I’m wondering what having less really means to you. What it means for me is that I’ll have less clutter and stuff to worry or think about, which really translates to greater focus on what really matters in my life.
For example, my car is now 12-years old and still runs great. My house is filled with items I really enjoy and not filled with lots of things I thought I couldn’t live without. Of course, my car has a few more dings and nicks than it used to when it was in it’s prime, but I know that if it were brand new, I’d be overly protective and pre-occupied with keeping it immaculate and this wouldn’t fit with my lifestyle. Now, I only need to be sure it’s washed every month, waxed once a year and taken in for scheduled maintenance. Oh, did I mention, no car payment for years! That sure is more!
What about you? Do you buy things because you really feel you’ll enjoy them? Or do you tend to accumulate stuff because it was “on sale” and in a few More >
Dealing with the “Anti-Budget” Personality
Jul 13th
Q: What do you say to someone who is anti-budget but needs to use some sort of system to manage their monthly finances?
A: I’m assuming that you’re saying you are “anti-budget” because you somehow think this limits you. The word “budget” sounds more restrictive than say money plan, financial game plan or spending plan, so perhaps changing your approach and thinking about it a little differently might also shift your mindset. A financial game plan will help you win with money. I recommend Quicken Deluxe for about $60.00. It provides a great platform to manage your monthly finances. It allows you to manage and reconcile accounts (bank and credit cards), create reports to view your monthly spending and setup your Spending Plan should you change your thoughts about money planning. If you own a Mac, iBank for about $60.00 does all of the above and includes an envelope system feature for planned expenses.
Good luck to you and thank you for your question!
Got a question about money or simplifying your financial life? Ask me, Your Financial Coach, at AskYourFinancialCoach.com.
