Dunn Financial Coaching - Cheerleader, Guide, Coach

Dunn Financial Coaching - Cheerleader, Guide, Coach A financial coach is a trained professional who collaborates with and guides their clients to reach their financial goals.

Financial coaches provide support, encouragement, accountability, and tools to help people make informed decisions. As a Ramsey Preferred Coach, I individualize my approach based on the unique needs of each person served, with the goal of helping you make progress in the area of your financial life that you identify as most important. I offer a flexible approach that can work for many types of cli

ents with a wide range of financial goals. People who receive financial coaching demonstrate:

* Increased goal attainment
* Better money management skills
* Improved savings, debt levels, and credit scores
* More financial confidence

Let me help you achieve your financial goals!

Many people treat their finances like a "set-it-and-forget-it" plan, but silent leaks can drain your wealth all year. Au...
08/30/2026

Many people treat their finances like a "set-it-and-forget-it" plan, but silent leaks can drain your wealth all year. August is the perfect time for a "Hidden Cash" audit—a strategic review to reclaim funds before the holiday season begins.

Next Steps:

The Subscription Sweep: Scan your bank statements for the last 90 days. Identify unused streaming services, unused apps, or forgotten memberships. Canceling just two $15/month subscriptions saves you $360 annually. You'll likely be surprised at what you find.

Insurance Optimization: When was the last time you reviewed your auto or home insurance? And yes, I recognize this isn't fun! Call your provider to ask about loyalty discounts or bundling. A simple check-up can often shave hundreds off your annual premium - and it's going nowhere but up.

The "Getting Away From Me" Challenge: Identify one expense category where spending has crept up (e.g., dining out or impulse shopping). Identify where you can "plug the leak" and redirect that reclaimed money into a high-yield savings account or toward high-interest debt.

Goal: How much money are you losing to convenience? A few hours of auditing now creates a stronger financial buffer for the year’s end.

Ready to save? Start your audit this weekend and see what you reclaim!

Want personalized advice tailored to your current stage of life? Book a complimentary 45-minute financial clarity session today.

It's time! Back-to-school shopping can feel like a high-stakes scavenger hunt where your wallet is the prize to be captu...
07/31/2026

It's time! Back-to-school shopping can feel like a high-stakes scavenger hunt where your wallet is the prize to be captured. To save your sanity (and your bank account) while prepping for the chaos, try these tips:

Audit the "Graveyard": Before buying new, dig through last year’s backpack. You will inevitably find three half-chewed pens, a glue stick that could double as a hockey puck, and a mysterious dried-up marker. If it still works, it's a win.

Embrace the "Generic" Glow-Up: Kids might beg for the notebook with the trendy celebrity on it, but the plain composition book is 90% cheaper. Buy the generic stuff and let them spend 10 minutes decorating it with stickers—it counts as a "custom design."

The "Tax-Free" Sprint: Treat Tax-Free Weekend like an Olympic sport. Train by stretching, hydrate, and prepare to battle other parents over the last pack of wide-ruled paper like it’s the final slice of pizza.

Shop the "Post-Panic" Sales: If you don't absolutely need a new backpack on day one, wait. Once school starts, stores get desperate to clear shelves, and prices plummet. Your child might survive the first week with the backpack they already own.

Hunt for "Pre-Loved" Treasure: Kids outgrow clothes faster than you can say "growth spurt." Embrace the treasure hunt by raiding thrift stores, consignment shops, and local "Buy Nothing" groups. You’ll score high-quality gear for a fraction of the price, and you can tell your kid it’s "vintage"—which is basically a fashion superpower in middle school.

Bulk Buy Basics: If you find a sale on pencils/pens/markers, buy enough to supply a small nation. They will lose them all by October.
Remember, the goal is to get them to school with supplies, not to fund the stationery store's next vacation. You've got this!

Want personalized advice tailored to your current stage of life? Book a complimentary 45-minute financial clarity session today.

A mid-year financial checkpoint is one of the smartest ways to stay on track—think of it as a reset button, not a judgme...
05/01/2026

A mid-year financial checkpoint is one of the smartest ways to stay on track—think of it as a reset button, not a judgment.

Here’s a practical mid-year review you can do in about an hour:

1. Check Your Big 3 Numbers

Start with where you are right now:

*Total savings
*Total debt
*Monthly spending

Compare this to where you were in January. Even small improvements count—direction matters more than speed.

2. Revisit Your Budget (Reality vs Plan)

Pull up your budget (or start one if you haven’t).

Ask:

*Are you overspending in certain categories?
*Did you underestimate anything (groceries, rent, etc.)?

If needed, rebalance, but adjust it to fit your actual life, not a perfect model.

3. Evaluate Debt Progress

Look at:

*How much you’ve paid off
*Which debts are left

If progress feels slow, consider tightening your strategy:

*Switch between debt snowball method or debt avalanche method
*Increase your monthly “attack” amount, even slightly

4. Check Your Emergency Fund

Goal:

*At least $500–$1,000 (starter)
*Ideally 3–6 months of expenses long-term

If you don’t have this yet, make it a top priority for the rest of the year.

5. Review Your Savings & Investing

Ask:

*Are you consistently saving anything each month?
*Are you taking advantage of long-term growth like compound interest?

If you paused saving earlier this year, now’s a good time to restart—even small amounts.

6. Look for “Easy Wins”

Quick improvements that don’t hurt much:

*Cancel unused subscriptions
*Negotiate a bill (internet, insurance)
*Adjust one spending habit

You’re not trying to overhaul everything—just tighten a few screws.

7. Set 2–3 Clear Goals for the Rest of the Year

Keep them specific and realistic. For example:

*Pay off $2,000 of debt
*Save $1,500
*Stick to a weekly spending limit

Clarity beats ambition here.

8. Reset Your System (Not Your Motivation)

If something didn’t work, fix the system:

*Budget too strict → loosen it
*Forgot to save → automate it
*Overspending → switch to weekly limits

The goal is to make progress easier, not rely on willpower.

What a Good Checkpoint Looks Like - Not perfect. Just honest and adjusted.

Even if you’re behind, you still have half the year left—that’s plenty of time to change your trajectory. Just get started!

I admit it - I have a love/hate relationship with social media. And when any of us scroll through our social media feed ...
03/11/2026

I admit it - I have a love/hate relationship with social media. And when any of us scroll through our social media feed we are likely to find ads that are not quite as legitimate as they first appear. There’s the celebrity (actually an AI clone) hawking a crypto venture. There’s the miracle cure that promises to solve your health problems. If you transact with these sketchy ads, you could risk losing your money or having your personal information used for malicious purposes.

Here are tips on how to avoid financial loss and identity theft when engaging with ads on social media.

Apply the common-sense rule. Ask yourself questions about the legitimacy of an ad. Why would a big Hollywood celebrity be pitching a nutritional supplement I’ve never heard of? Never lose sight of the old adage: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Watch for fake branding. The FTC advises consumers not to assume that the company or brand named in the ad is the actual seller. Check carefully to identify the real seller. One option is to search the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker for reports or complaints about a specific company.

Check the security and legitimacy of the seller’s site. Carefully review the URL to see if it exactly matches that of the actual, legitimate site. Also, make sure the site is secure: Look for a padlock icon in the browser window and “https” at the front of the URL. If the site is fake or non-secure, don’t engage with it.

Don’t assume images are real. Scammers often use sleek, flashy images of products—clothing, tech gadgets, home furnishing items, and more—to catch your eye. AI and related technologies have made it easier than ever for fraudsters to enhance, manipulate, or entirely invent product imagery.

Watch for red flags regarding comments, ratings, and reviews. If the seller has nothing but 5-star ratings, or if they’ve got nothing but highly positive reviews it’s a potential sign of fraud. No product or brand, regardless of popularity, is universally loved by every person who purchases it.

Avoid nontraditional forms of payment. If, after clicking a link from an ad, you see a request for payment via payment app, gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, don't engage.

Don’t ignore it; report it. Finally, if you spot an ad that seems to be fraudulent, don’t just scroll past it. Instead, report it to the social media platform as well as the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If enough people report scam ads, it will help crank up the pressure on social media companies to do the right thing and stop taking advertising dollars from fraudsters.

Want personalized advice tailored to your current stage of life? Book a complimentary 45-minute financial clarity session today.

Happy New Year! 🎉 As the calendar turns, take a moment to honor how far you’ve come—every lesson learned, every small wi...
01/01/2026

Happy New Year! 🎉 As the calendar turns, take a moment to honor how far you’ve come—every lesson learned, every small win, every challenge that made you stronger. A new year isn’t about becoming someone else; it’s about continuing to grow into who you already are.

As you move forward, set goals that inspire you and stretch you, but be kind to yourself along the way. Progress isn’t always loud or fast—sometimes it’s quiet consistency, showing up even when motivation fades. Break big dreams into small, doable steps, and celebrate each one. If plans change or setbacks happen, remember they don’t erase your effort; they refine it.

This year is a fresh chapter filled with possibility. Trust your ability to learn, adapt, and keep going. Stay curious, stay focused, and don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Here’s to courage, clarity, and steady momentum in the year ahead. You’ve got this!

Thanksgiving is a natural moment to pause and acknowledge the often-overlooked financial blessings woven into everyday l...
11/27/2025

Thanksgiving is a natural moment to pause and acknowledge the often-overlooked financial blessings woven into everyday life. Gratitude in this context isn’t just about appreciating what you have—it’s also about fostering a mindset that strengthens long-term financial well-being.

When you take time to appreciate stability, income, opportunities, or even lessons learned from past financial mistakes, you shift your focus from scarcity to sufficiency. That shift can reduce stress, curb impulsive spending, and encourage healthier habits like budgeting, saving, and giving.

Thanksgiving also highlights the role of community in our financial journey. Support from family, friends, mentors, and even colleagues helps shape our resilience and opportunities. Acknowledging those contributions not only deepens relationships but also reinforces a sense of shared prosperity.

Finally, gratitude encourages intentionality. When you’re thankful for your resources—no matter their size—you’re more likely to use them wisely. You may find yourself prioritizing experiences over excess, planning for the future, or sharing more generously with others.

In a season centered on appreciation, letting gratitude guide your financial choices can lead to a richer, more grounded life—one where abundance is measured not only in dollars, but in perspective, purpose, and connection.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

11/06/2025

Families often get caught off guard with holidays because they underestimate both the timing and total cost of seasonal celebrations. Here are the main reasons why it happens:

🎯 1. Lack of Planning and Budgeting
Holidays arrive at the same time every year, but many families don’t plan for them in their monthly budgets. Without setting aside small amounts throughout the year, costs like gifts, travel, decorations, and special meals can suddenly feel overwhelming.

Solution: Start planning in advance. Create a holiday budget early and set aside a small amount each month to build a holiday fund.

🛍️ 2. Emotional and Social Pressures
Holidays trigger powerful emotions — nostalgia, guilt, or the desire to create “perfect” experiences for children or relatives. Marketing and social media amplify these pressures, pushing families to spend more than they intended to “keep up” or make memories.

Solution: Discuss family values and agree that meaningful moments are of greater importance than material things. Set clear spending limits and focus on traditions that matter.

📅 3. Underestimating Small Costs
People focus on the big expenses (like travel or gifts) but overlook smaller recurring ones — costumes, candy, wrapping paper, party supplies — which quietly add up and strain the budget.

Solution: Review last year’s spending and list all categories—gifts, food, events, and hidden costs—to get a realistic picture.

💳 4. Overreliance on Credit
Many families use credit cards to cover holiday costs, thinking they’ll pay it off later. But interest and other financial obligations in January often make repayment harder, leading to longer-term debt.

Solution: Use cash or debit for holiday purchases and avoid carrying balances into the new year.

How amazing to set yourself up for success because it gives you control, confidence, and peace of mind - and helps you stay focused on what truly matters!

Want personalized advice tailored to your current stage of life? Book a complimentary 45-minute financial clarity session today.

Talking about money with children is one of the best ways to set them up for lifelong success. Kids learn most of their ...
10/08/2025

Talking about money with children is one of the best ways to set them up for lifelong success. Kids learn most of their financial habits by watching parents and caregivers, so having open, age-appropriate conversations early on makes a huge difference. Here are some tips for “money talks with children”:

1. Start Early & Keep It Simple
Even preschoolers can grasp basic concepts like saving, sharing, and spending. Use coins, jars, or piggy banks to show how money can be divided for different purposes.

2. Teach Through Everyday Moments
At the grocery store, explain why you choose one item over another (quality, price, or budget). When paying bills, talk about needs versus wants.

3. Use Allowance as a Teaching Tool
An allowance tied to chores or responsibilities can help children learn to budget. Encourage them to save a portion, spend wisely, and give to causes they care about.

4. Be Honest About Choices
Children don’t need every detail, but they benefit from hearing that families make trade-offs. For example: “We’re saving for vacation, so we won’t buy new toys this month.”

5. Encourage Questions
Let kids ask anything about money without shame. The more they feel comfortable asking, the more confident they’ll become with finances later in life.

Bottom line - teach them the things about money you wish you'd learned along the way.

Need help with this? Schedule a complimentary discovery session. You can do this!

09/04/2025

How many of these myths have you heard/thought/believed?

🧨 Common Financial Myths to Bust:

1. “Carrying a credit card balance improves your credit score.”

Truth: Paying your balance in full is better; interest just costs you money - and the average interest rate is 22-24%.

2. “Investing is only for the wealthy.”

Truth: Anyone can start investing with as little as $5 using apps.

3. “You don’t need an emergency fund if you have a credit card.”

Truth: Emergency funds offer financial stability without debt. No benefit to continuing to create more debt!

4. “Renting is throwing money away.”

Truth: Buying a home isn’t always better — it depends on goals, location, and timing.

5. “You need to be an expert to invest in the stock market.”

Truth: Index funds and robo-advisors make it accessible for anyone.

6. “It’s too late to start saving for retirement in your 40s or 50s.”

Truth: It’s never too late — catch-up contributions and lifestyle changes help.

Need help getting ahead? Let's connect.

Whether you're just starting out in your 20s or thinking about retirement in your 50s and 60s, financial missteps can ha...
07/31/2025

Whether you're just starting out in your 20s or thinking about retirement in your 50s and 60s, financial missteps can happen at any stage. But with a little foresight, you can sidestep the most common pitfalls and make smarter money decisions at every age.

👶 In Your 20s - Building the Foundation
Common Mistakes:

*Ignoring Budgeting: Spending without a plan leads to overspending and no savings.

*Not Saving Early for Retirement: Time and compound interest are your friend!

*Racking Up High-Interest Debt: Credit cards and student loans can become overwhelming.

*Living Beyond Means: Trying to “keep up” leads to lifestyle inflation early.

Tips:

*Start with a basic budget.

*Open a Roth IRA or participate in your employer’s 401(k).

*Build a $1,000 emergency fund as a starting point.

👨‍💼 In Your 30s - Balancing Growth & Responsibility
Common Mistakes:

*Neglecting Emergency Savings: Family obligations increase financial risk.

*Not Having Adequate Insurance: Health, life, and disability insurance become crucial.

*Failing to Plan for Kids’ Expenses: Including future education costs or childcare.

Tips:

*Increase emergency fund to 3–6 months of expenses.

*Reassess your budget with long-term goals in mind.

*Consider a 529 plan for future college expenses.

*Max out retirement contributions if possible.

👨‍👩‍🦳 In Your 40s - Prime Earning Years, Prime Risk
Common Mistakes:

*Not Catching Up on Retirement Savings: Mid-life often brings financial pressure, but don’t pause retirement contributions (unless you are paying off debt - and then it's a temporary stop).

*Lifestyle Creep: More income shouldn’t mean more spending without limits.

*Overextending on a Home or Car: Large purchases can lock up liquidity.

*Neglecting Estate Planning: Wills and health directives are often overlooked.

Tips:

*Take advantage of catch-up contributions to IRAs and 401(k)s.

*Review insurance policies and beneficiaries.

*Start thinking about long-term care options and estate planning basics.

*Conduct a midlife financial checkup: assets, debt, retirement goals.

👵 In Your 50s & Beyond - Preserving Wealth & Planning Legacy
Common Mistakes:

*Underestimating Healthcare Costs in Retirement

*Withdrawing from Retirement Accounts Too Early: Penalties and taxes add up.

*Failing to Downsize or Simplify Finances

*Not Talking About Money with Family: Avoiding discussions about inheritance or end-of-life care.

Tips:

*Meet with a financial advisor for retirement readiness.

*Review Social Security strategies for maximizing benefits.

*Consider consolidating accounts for simplicity.

*Finalize estate documents (will, power of attorney, trusts if needed).

Each decade brings unique financial decisions and risks. Being proactive—no matter your age—can help you avoid costly mistakes and build a more secure financial future.

📣 Call to Action
Want personalized advice tailored to your current stage of life?
Book a complimentary 45-minute financial clarity session today.

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