Last week, I had the privilege of presenting “10 Essential Money Questions Every Woman Should Be Able to Answer” to a room of about 50 women in downtown Buffalo through the WNY Women’s Foundation mentorship program.

Helping women understand their financial lives invigorates me because money touches nearly every part of our lives.

It affects where we live, how we care for our children, whether we can help aging parents, when we can change jobs, how we recover from divorce or loss, how we retire, and whether we feel free to make choices that align with who we are becoming.

For women especially, these conversations are deeply personal.

Helping my daughter find housing near Aspen after college turned into much more than an apartment search. It became a lesson in affordability, independence, adaptability, and learning to navigate a life that looks very different from the one she grew up with. In my latest blog, I share what this experience taught both of us about adulthood, letting go, and finding confidence in the unknown.

As I watch my daughter Jenna graduate college, move to a new state, and begin building her own independent life, I can’t help but think about how different things were for my mother’s generation. My mom remembers a time when women couldn’t get credit without their husband before the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974. In this blog, I reflect on how far women have come financially in just a few decades, why financial education for women still matters today, and why I’m so passionate about helping women build confidence around money and their future.

Recently, I learned something about my mom that really stopped me in my tracks. Even though she has used their family credit cards for years, she was never the primary account holder. It sparked a bigger conversation about financial access, independence, and how many women from her generation were never encouraged, or even allowed, to establish credit in their own names. This experience reminded me that financial preparedness is not about mistrust in a relationship. It is about making sure every person has the ability to navigate life confidently and independently if circumstances suddenly change. It’s a simple but important reminder that financial security also means having access, credit, and accounts in your own name.

April is National Stress Awareness Month, and there is one kind of stress that has a way of touching nearly every part of life: money stress.

It usually does not begin with one dramatic moment. More often, it builds quietly. It is the tension you feel when the credit card bill comes in. The conversation you keep meaning to have with your significant other but avoid. The tightness in your chest when you think about groceries, tuition, retirement, or simply how expensive everyday life has become.

And that is what makes it so difficult. Money stress is rarely just about money.

It has a way of following us home. It shows up in our relationships, in our sleep, in our health, and in the way we carry ourselves through the day. It can make us crankier with the people we love, more likely to avoid hard conversations, and more likely to hold worry in silence.

Weddings are meant to be joyful—but they can quietly become expensive fast. If you’ve ever wondered how to afford being in multiple weddings without going into debt, this blog post walks you through how to plan ahead, understand your cash flow, and make smart spending decisions during busy social seasons.

I’ve noticed a shift lately—more parents navigating weddings and wondering what “helping” should actually look like.

It’s such a meaningful moment, but it also comes with some bigger financial decisions than people expect.

These sessions are for:

Groups of high-achieving women who want financial education that is:

• clear, practical, and organized

• focused on decision-making—not fear

• built for real-world complexity

• grounded in long-term security and a more vibrant future

  These seminars are educational—not a sales presentation.

As the year draws to a close, it's not just about festive decorations and holiday cheer; it's also an opportune time to take stock of your personal finances and implement strategic moves to save on taxes. By making informed decisions before the year-end, you can optimize your financial position and potentially reduce your tax liability. I’m including some smart strategies to consider as we approach the end of the year in this blog post.

The key to successful networking is not just about accumulating contacts, but building meaningful relationships. When you own your own business your personal and professional life often overlap. Networking in all parts of your life allows you to continue to grow, meet new people, strengthen long-term friendships, and have a battalion of people to help you should the need arise.

While homeowner’s insurance provides a safety net for unexpected events, many homeowners overlook a crucial aspect of protecting their investment—documenting personal property. It is important to create a comprehensive inventory for your homeowner's insurance company.

When you're researching home insurance, there's a lot to think about to ensure you have the right coverage. You want to make sure your entire home is covered in case anything big happens (like what I’m experiencing!). I’m continuing my coverage highlighting Dwelling and Personal property insurance.

Recently, I was out of town and a pipe burst in my home, causing major damage throughout the entire house.

When you're researching home insurance, there's a lot to think about to ensure you have the right coverage. You want to make sure your entire home is covered in case anything big happens (like what I’m experiencing!)

We all look forward to the holidays, but it's easy to underestimate how much gift-giving can strain our finances. The last thing you want is to start the new year with a pile of credit card debt. So, saving for holiday gifts isn't just practical; it's the secret sauce for enjoying the festivities without a financial hangover.