Finding Financial Peace of Mind

As we enter a month focused on peace we thought we would give you some ideas on how to bring financial peace into your life. We think of financial peace as not worrying about financial matters. This doesn’t mean that time and energy is not put into financial matters just that the time and energy put in this area is positive.

One of the steps in achieving financial peace is to work on “knowing” instead of “believing”.   As Richard Carlson states in the book Don’t Worry, Make Money, “…the moment you decide that what you knew is more important than what you have been taught to believe, you will have shifted gears in your quest for abundance. Success comes from within, not from without. It begins by listening to your inner calling and wisdom. What do you truly value and enjoy? What is your heart trying to tell you? Is there something that you have an inner need to pursue? These are the types of questions that will put you on your path to greatness. Once on that path, you will discover your own unique way to make the path an enormous success and a great deal of fun.”

It can be difficult to let go of those things you have been taught to believe- through family and friends, media, books and other resources- but allowing your inner knowing to be heard will bring you peace in many areas of your life.

Another area to think about when considering your financial matters is to not rely on too much data. Data can be helpful but in today’s day and age there is an enormous amount of data available to everyone. From the book Don’t Worry, Make Money another section gives advice on how to do this and why as follows: “The next time you find yourself filling your head with facts and stewing over data, take a step back. See if what you are doing is really going to help you out, make things better- or are you simply postponing the steps that will actually bring about abundance? Be completely honest with yourself. Perhaps, instead of studying facts, you should pick up the phone and make a call. It’s very possible you have all the data you need and the simple decision to stop worrying is the most important thing you could be doing.”

So in this time of year where peace is on our minds we wish you and your family financial peace. If we can help you achieve this please contact us at 330.721.1410 or through our website www.hhlgroup.net.

Spirituality and Financial Well-Being

Financial management is not usually thought of as a spiritual activity but spirituality does play into your financial well being.  How do we integrate finances and our spiritual beliefs?  This is a really difficult question for many of us. We are trained to believe that more is better.  We have equated more (monetary worth) to our self-worth and hence our happiness.  Many of us are not even aware of how these beliefs surrounding money affect us on a daily basis.  We need to begin to shift our thinking to looking at finances from a feeling of abundance rather than from a feeling of lack.  Below is an excerpt from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron discussing “Recovering a Sense of Abundance”:

“When it comes time for us to choose between a cherished dream and a lousy current drudgery, we often choose to ignore the dream and blame our continued misery on God.  We act like it’s God’s fault we didn’t go to Europe, take that painting class, go on that photo shoot.  In truth, we, not God, have decided not to go.  We have tried to be sensible- as though we have any proof at all that God is sensible- rather than see if the universe might not have supported some healthy extravagance.”

To help change the thought that money is “bad” or you don’t deserve money in your life, think of it as a form of energy.  Take a period of time (at least a week) to record how you spend your money (no matter how small the dollar amount) and review that to see what you are spending your money on and if it is in line with your values.  If not change your way of spending so you are sending energy in the direction you want. 

Financial abundance is possible for everyone as long as one believes there is enough in the universe for all and that one deserves it.  Here at HHL Group, Inc. we help individuals and businesses achieve financial abundance.  Call to schedule a free 30-minute consultation today.

“Flow” with Financial Freedom

Written by Sanctuary owner and Intuitive Life Coach, Nancy Nicholas

My own personal journey seems to be working right along with the Sanctuary focus word of the month. Is that happening for you? So far, I’ve worked on surrendering my fears (January), defining what I want (February), and now learning how to flow where the Universal energy is leading (March).

One area I find a challenge to “flow” with is money. Since the time I was a teen whose father was patiently trying to teach her how to do her very simple tax return (while I ranted and raved), up to today, I’ve found all matters financial to be very stress inducing. Frankly, I’d rather go to the dentist then go talk to someone about money matters.

That is until I experienced financial coaching at HHL Group, Inc.

My husband, Jeff, and I decided to take advantage of the special package being offered by Sanctuary member, Laurie Price of HHL Group, Inc. for 3 one hour financial coaching sessions. We had our first session over the weekend and it was amazing! Amazing doesn’t even cover it…let me put it this way…Jeff and I came home smiling …yes, smiling…and considering how we usually react to this type of thing, this was a complete miracle!

So why was it a wonderful session?

First, the session was empowering. Laurie helped us see where we have made good strides financially and also had excellent suggestions how we could save money on our taxes and also keep building for our future. She helped us feel confident about our options instead of making us afraid.

Second, the session provided the conversation and additional tools to help us get a clearer picture of our wants, needs, and dreams for our financial future. I’m actually looking forward to filling out the questionnaire she gave us because it will help us clarify where we want to go.

Third, Laurie was clearly very knowledgeable, wasn’t trying to sell us anything, and came from a holistic point of view. She paid attention to the details but also kept refocusing us on our overall goals.

Finally, I came away from the session filled with hope that our dreams for our careers and the life we’d like to lead might actually be possible. Hope is really the most precious of gifts.

Are you ready to start flowing with financial freedom?

If so, you may want to try financial coaching. It’s a fresh approach that provides financial guidance with out a sales pitch from a holistic point of view.  Mention Sanctuary when you call to schedule your appointment and you can participate in a special offer for the month of March ($250 for 3 one hour sessions/normally $300).

To learn more about HHL Group, Inc. and financial coaching options, click HERE.

Nancy Nicholas is an Intuitive Life Coach who works with clients who are feeling powerless because of a relationship, health situation, job, family matter, or other concern. She offers Empowerment Readings which combine Divine guidance with practical coaching tips to help her clients make the necessary changes to move into a better situation. Readings are available by phone or email. Visit her website to learn more and to get your free Divine Purpose Survey! www.EmpoweringLightworkers.com

Knowledge is Power…And Relieves Stress

Money- wondering if you have enough, managing it, wondering about your financial future- can be very stressful! Besides the perception that managing your finances is no fun (think of the bad rap budgets get), there are many emotional issues tied to how money flows in and out of your life. But understanding your cash flow and knowing where your money is and how to manage it is very empowering. It doesn’t need to be complicated and if you take charge of your finances you will feel better. So, the theme of my message today is KNOWLEDGE IS POWER when it comes to your money.

Here are a few tips to help get you on the road to a healthy and less stressful financial future:

Create a budget to track your income and expenses. It can be very simple; start with your primary living expenses (rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, etc.) and work from most necessary to least necessary, creating a category for all your expense areas including those things you only pay for several times per year (examples include car repairs and car insurance).

Use a small notebook to track all of your cash expenses. Often, we purchase things during the day- a cup of coffee, an afternoon snack- and forget to include it in our budget. Those small expenses can add up so be sure to include them in your budget.

Once your budget is on paper, begin to look at ways you can manipulate it to achieve a goal. Do you want to pay off your debt more quickly? Do you want to create a dream fund to take a special trip or make a special purchase? Do you want to contribute more to your retirement savings? This is where the fun begins! Think of it as a big puzzle where you are moving the pieces around and trying to make them fit together into a better “picture”—a picture that reflects the life you want to be living.

Envision your dream. Create a Dreamscape (contact me at email below for a copy of this activity) to give image to your dream life. What will it look like? What will it include? How does money play a role in that dream? Be specific as to how much you will want and where it will come from (better paying job, modified lifestyle, etc.).

If you are feeling completely stuck, enlist help. If you feel like family history or a “bad” financial past is holding you back from moving to a healthier financial future, engage in some activities that will help your re-frame those negative beliefs. I often encourage clients to read The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom by Suze Orman, which offers invaluable step-by-step advice to overcoming unhealthy and self-defeating behavior patterns concerning money. There are also a number of holistically minded financial planners out there. Additionally, I offer several programs that provide money coaching assistance and support. Please visit Transition Consulting and Coaching, for more information.

Engage in these first steps and you will be on your way to a less stressful, happier financial future. Remember- knowledge is power… especially when it comes to your money. Only by knowing where you are now will you be able create the foundation for where you want to be in the future.

Cathy Posner offers career and small business coaching services. Visit her website to learn more, http://www.transitionconsultingandcoaching.com. She can be reached by email at Cathy@TransitionConsultingandCoaching.com.

The New Year…A Perfect Time to Set a Budget

The New Year is a perfect time to create a budget.  Many people consider a budget to be an unpleasant, limiting factor in their life.  Instead, I invite you to view it as a welcome guideline and a fun puzzle.  Nothing feels quite as good as spending within your means.  And I fully encourage you to build in a line for “treats” or “splurges.”  There are many tools available online to help with this activity.  Several sites like Kiplingers and The Dough Roller have especially useful tools.  Or Google search “budget tools” and choose one to your liking.  If you are stuck, a coaching session can help you start the process.  I am offering a new program, Budget Bliss, that can help you be on your way!  Regardless of your method, I encourage you to take the plunge!  It will give you peace of mind and the great satisfaction of having done something to take care of yourself as the new year begins.

From Cathy Posner, Transition Consulting and Coaching/Crossroads Coaching/Sanctuary at the Crossroads
www.transitionconsultingandcoaching
Questions? Call or email cathy@transitionconsultingandcoaching.com or 216-337-2106