Dunn Financial Coaching - Cheerleader, Guide, Coach

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 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 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 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!

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 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!

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 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.

Why can't my spouse/significant other and I get on the same page with our finances?

You're not alone—many couples struggle with this. Here are some of the most common reasons why this happens, along with what you can do about them:

1. Different Money Backgrounds
You and your spouse probably grew up with different financial experiences, habits, and beliefs. One of you might be a saver, the other a spender. One may have seen money as a tool for security, while the other saw it as a way to enjoy life.

What to do:
Talk about your money history. Ask each other:

"What did money mean to your family growing up?"

"What was your first memory of money?"

"What scares or excites you about finances?"

2. Lack of Clear Goals
It’s hard to align financially if you’re not working toward the same things. One might prioritize travel or kids' education, while the other is focused on paying off debt or retiring early.

What to do:
Sit down together and list out your individual and shared goals. Create short-term and long-term targets, and revisit them monthly or quarterly.

3. Communication Gaps
Many financial conflicts come from avoiding money conversations, or from one person handling everything and the other feeling left out or in the dark.

What to do:
Create a system for regular, low-pressure money check-ins—weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Keep it short and structured, like:

How much did we spend?

Any surprises?

Are we on track with our goals?

4. Power Dynamics or Control Issues
Money can create a power imbalance—especially if one partner earns more, or if one tends to control spending decisions.

What to do:
Both partners should have a voice. Consider shared budgeting tools or accounts with individual “fun money” allowances so no one feels deprived or micromanaged.

5. Emotional Triggers
Money often ties into deeper emotions: fear, guilt, shame, pride. These can hijack even simple conversations.

What to do:
Learn to notice when a money talk is becoming emotional. Pause and ask:

“What’s really going on here?”

“Am I feeling unheard, judged, or scared?”

“How can we handle this as a team?”

If you've tried talking and it keeps ending in frustration or shutdowns, financial coaching can really help. Sometimes having a neutral third party changes everything.

Do you have friends or family in your life looking to get married? Money issues are one of the top reasons couples fight - and there are important conversations that need to be had in advance that will help you address potential challenges head-on and create a partnership that thrives.

Whether you're newly engaged or just thinking about the next step, I highly recommend "25 Money Questions to Ask Your Fiancé" as your roadmap to a stronger, healthier marriage that stands the test of time.

In this must-read guide, Master Financial Coaches Joe Gendron & Daria Stellwag unveil the 25 essential questions every couple needs to discuss before tying the knot. From financial habits to future dreams, these conversations will help you build a foundation of trust, communication, and understanding. Check it out!

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