We help clients with more than just their stock and bond portfolio and retirement planning. Watch and hear how we assist clients with planning for a family, preparing to take a bucket list trip and weighing options when considering a career change. If these are areas you would like to collaborate with a client relationship manager on, please email info@vcmi.net.
Love and Money: Communicating with your Partner
The book, “The Five Love Languages,” outlines general ways in which individuals express and experience love and affection in romantic relationships. They are Acts of Service, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Words of Affection and Physical Touch, and while they may not cover all kinds of communication, they can be a good shorthand to decipher yours and that of your partner. When it comes to money, it is important to notice and understand how we feel and communicate as individuals and then reflect further how that impacts our partner and finances as a couple or family. If an individual grew up in a home where money was tight and employment was unstable, finances may represent anxiety and worry. For another, a privileged upbringing where money was rarely discussed may later manifest as apathy around budgeting and savings. Financial planners and therapists tend to share the same basic tenets around relationships and money.- Understand your relationship with money and that of your partner – explore how you were both raised, what your attitudes are to daily money management and how you see your long-term future.
- Set shared goals and focus on the future – have a brainstorm session and share what you need, want and dream about and be specific. Listen to your partner share theirs and then take stock of the two. Where do you agree and where do you differ? Discuss what you are both willing to sacrifice and what you won’t go without to accomplish your goals.
- Be transparent and communicate regularly – establish an open and honest style of communication with your partner and schedule regular dates to track progress. Split the duties of tracking your spending and saving and pair the chore with a bottle of wine or pot of coffee to make it more enjoyable.
- Practice empathy and patience – learning and unlearning behavior and establishing new habits is difficult to do as an individual, let alone as a couple. It takes time and experience to learn each other’s style and track spending and saving for both. Keep in mind that it has taken your lifetime to get to where you are, and it is going to require significant work and focus to change.
Rituals over Routine
September is upon us and students and teachers everywhere are back at school. For many adults, it is a popular time to reset routines and assess goals and progress. September is also National Self-Care Awareness Month, reminding folks to prioritize their own health and well-being. According to psychologists, turning our routines and habits into rituals can help us to approach tasks with intention and focus and allows us to infuse everyday duties with joy and meaning. In the blog post below, we have compiled ways in which financial responsibilities can be transformed into rituals.
- Write down your small and large financial goals. Place the note where you will see it often and make a habit of rereading it several times a week.
- Be intentional with your time and money. Review your calendar before the week begins and forecast spending. Look for ways to get creative and stick to your budget, such as carpooling with a friend to an event or taking mass transit.
- Automate your bills and banking and identify accounts you can set up on autopay for ease and peace of mind.
- Treat yourself to a favorite playlist, make a cup of tea, and light a cozy candle before you settle in to pay your bills or enter budget numbers.
- Plan a budget date with your partner such as a neighborhood walk, a coffee or cocktail date or an afternoon drive to discuss individual and joint goals and check in with each other.
- Journal your anxieties and concerns related to personal finance obligations and goals. What is providing the most stress? What can you do today, next week and next month to address it?
- Recall a time or times in your life when you made financial decisions that you were proud of and proved advantageous. What worked well then? How can that experience inform today’s choices and actions?
- Remember a person in your life you admire(d) for the way in which they conduct their personal finances and affairs. What did they do and what did they represent to you that you can learn from and adopt as your own style?
If you are experiencing a stressful time of transition or are simply looking to discuss your investment management and financial planning with an expert, please email us at info@vcmi.net or call 503-221-5656.
How a Financial Advisor Can Help in Clarifying Your Financial Picture
Clarifying your financial picture is not just a crucial step but a comforting one in paving the way for a financially successful future. It allows you to set clear goals and effectively understand your overall finances, each contributing to a better understanding and managing your overall financial health. At Vision Capital, we know the importance of providing a well-defined, straightforward financial plan by leveraging our years of experience as Certified Financial Planners ™ and utilizing industry-leading software program eMoney Advisor. This process can bring relief and security, knowing that your financial future is in capable hands.
The Advantages of a Female Financial Advisor
In recent years, women have made great strides in equal opportunities in the workforce. One such area where women are making significant headway is in the field of financial advising. Research has shown that having a female financial advisor can provide numerous benefits to clients, both female and male. In this blog, we will examine some of the benefits of female financial advisors and why you may want to consider working with one.
