My heart still hurts for the victims, families, and friends of Sutherland Springs, Texas. Before you read the topic for this week, I ask that you join me in a moment of silence to remember the fallen, and to think about how we can stop these tragic events going forward.
Read MoreSo, it’s World Series time and the baseball analogy is appropriate. If you hate baseball, keep reading – this story is more than baseball and there’s something for you. The Dodgers have a 1-0 series lead on the Astros because the Dodgers’ star hitter, Justin Turner, took a big swing and hit a fastball out of the ballpark last night. Since there was another man on base, Justin’s homerun gave the Dodgers the game lead and contributed to their victory.
Read MoreOver the last few months, I’ve received many questions about bitcoin, the cryptocurrency that’s getting all the fanfare these days. If you haven’t been following the bitcoin news, not to worry – it’s not too late. New innovations in financial markets don’t come along too often, and I think it’s good to be aware of this one.
Read MoreBelieve it or not, Fed Chair Janet Yellen said yesterday in her statement that our country’s economy would suffer in the short-term due to the hurricanes. As you can see, there is a major connection between our daily lives and how we progress (or not) as a collective economy. I know that you were probably also very excited to hear Yellen asserted that the economy remains strong and on track.
Read MoreI hope you’re adjusting to the reality that fall is almost here – notice that I didn’t say summer is almost over (smile). Like many of you, I’m back in the saddle after some much needed vacation. My heart and prayers go out to you, or anyone you know, who has been affected by Hurricane Irma.
Read MoreI thought summer was supposed to be a time of relaxation and less stress. The events and aftermath of Charlottesville have provided just the opposite. Events like these remind me of my own purpose and humble me in the reality that I could be gone tomorrow because of hatred and racism. Heavy, right?
Read MoreThe White House is in a sad state. I can’t seem to get away from the craziness that has engulfed our highest level of office. The recent ousting of Scaramucci provides a useful lesson on trying to recover from bad investment choices.
Read MoreI hope that you are still enjoying this beautiful summer eve! I continue to receive many emails and social media questions about the financial considerations of starting a business. You should know by now that I strongly believe (and the data continues to support) that business ownership is a powerful way to create wealth, and thus I’m super pumped that you keep raising these questions.
Read MoreWe are smack dab in the middle of summer, and the year. I can’t believe it! Were you able to sit down in the last couple of weeks and do a check-in on how you are tracking on your money and investment goals, as we discussed at the beginning of the month? Well, perhaps you will be encouraged by several people who have successfully achieved their investment goals. Specifically, these are my students who just finished the 8-week class - NEXTLEVEL: How to Make Money in the Stock Market , which ended this past Saturday. Students developed their own investing strategies, are now on the road to buying and selling stocks with confidence, and learned from people who’ve had success investing. Here’s some initial feedback:
“I feel soooooo empowered and THAT much more informed!!!!”
Don’t worry, you’ll here more about how you can get some of this goodness for yourself soon.
I know focusing on you (and your money) can be difficult because so much is going on in your personal life and around us too – the health care bill saga, the stock market surge, and the challenges that some of our fellow global citizens are facing.
And, I know its probably information overload. Perhaps you may want to re-charge a bit, and I have the perfect question for you….
Do you need a break?
If the answer is “Yes,” what’s stopping you? Many people point to money or lack of time. Whatever your reason, I want to encourage you to do so. Many Charisse Says readers have shared with me inexpensive ways to take some time off, albeit doing a staycation or finding global destinations that are yearning for tourists. For instance, one member shared with me that he is on his way to Greece for $850 per person, including flight and hotel, since the country is desperately trying to attract visitors. If you take the trip route, re-assessing your money and investment goals will provide the perfect exercise to let you know how feasible this is for you.
But, I also have good news for you who are in predicaments where a trip is truly out of reach right now….You can take a break every day! Whether it’s a walk in the fresh sunny air, some quiet time in the bathroom (don’t judge me), or talking to a friend who only wants you to share what’s going on in your life.
If you have taken a break, I hope you aren’t feeling like you are back on the rat wheel between work, family obligations, and all of those personal goals (e.g. abs of steel, investing in the stock market, etc.) you want to accomplish.
I fit in this camp - I took a break over July 4th weekend to celebrate my grandmother’s 90th birthday (Remember this name – Pearl Conanan – as she is truly remarkable), and my young cousin’s 1st birthday (Remember the name – Morgan Springer – as she will have a major impact on this world). It was special, timely, and an unforgettable circle-of-life moment with my family and friends. When I got back, I was thrust back into the daily grind. I had to quickly employ the strategies I just mentioned, and all is better. Try it!
Enjoy this precious week.
I hope July is off to a fantastic start. The Fourth of July is tomorrow - yipee! I am looking forward to enjoying good picnic food and fireworks with friends and family. What are your plans? Tell me in the comments. It is a great time to take an hour or so and review your finances and investments for the year. I know - between the food and the fireworks in the evening, this might be hard. But, perhaps the morning or early afternoon might provide some good brain space. If not, set your sight on a money sit-down over the weekend. We are halfway through our 2017 year of boldness and it’s a great chance to re-evaluate the bold steps we want to take, and make any necessary changes so that you get the wealth results you want.
Since it is a holiday week, I want to share some quick yet insightful reads. You can read these at the beach, the pool, or the comfort of your couch:
Millennials are not buying homes. I am a border baby (I sit right on the cusp of Millennial and Gen X), so this realization hits home. This a big change from (our) their parents who saw homes as the ultimate American dream. So what are (we) they doing? Business Insider explains. I do believe these trends will have an effect on overall wealth in our generation.
Did you see Blue Apron make its stock debut? Well, this Market Watch article features the good and the bad. I've not used Blue Apron, but this one should be interesting to follow in the months and years to come. Let me know if you took the plunge and bought.
As a human interest piece, this article from Business Insider talks about life on Wall Street for young financial professionals. These young chaps are often involved in the decisions that affect our money, regardless of age. In short, inclusion and impact matter. As a former Wall Street financier, I can appreciate the spotlight on the industry.
Have a wonderful and safe holiday! I look forward to hearing how you spend the day.
#WealthyGirl
“Most of us want to be wealthy, but more often than not, don’t have a handle on how to achieve this goal. I will share with you the secrets and strategies on how to do so. ”
