Hello FinGym Friends and Family, As many of you may know by now, earlier this year, Financial Gym launched its investment subsidiary as a response to high client demand; and I have personally spent hundreds of hours over the last three months speaking one-on-one with our clients (past, present and future) about their investment portfolios and strategies. As a result of these conversations, there are a few common takeaways I want to share with you. People (especially women) are generally under-investing. What do I mean by that? They are saving too much in cash. Cash is an asset class, but it ..read more

Hello, savvy financial besties! Today, we're diving into the fascinating realm of understanding your money mindset through hands-on, interactive exercises. Buckle up as we guide you through four engaging activities designed to decode your unique financial blueprint. Let's get started on this interactive journey towards financial self-discovery! 1. The Spending Journal Challenge: Unveiling Your Daily Financial Landscape Grab your journal or use a free download to print out or use on your iPad—it's time for the Spending Journal Challenge! For the next week, document every purchase, no matter ho ..read more

If you have ever dreamed about making more money, received a raise, and then had no idea where that extra money in your paycheck was going, you’ve fallen prey to lifestyle inflation. Here are four ways to combat lifestyle inflation and put your raise to work for you: What is lifestyle inflation? Lifestyle inflation occurs when expenses that you previously considered luxuries become commonplace. This could be upgrading your home or car or just spending more on day-to-day expenses like groceries, dining out, and shopping. Ways to combat lifestyle inflation Identify your goals Knowing what is im ..read more

Credit scores may be the most well-known measure of financial wellness, but how they are calculated is less clear to many people. A survey from CompareCards by LendingTree found that 37% of consumers agreed with the statement that they had “no idea how [their] credit score is determined.” This lack of clarity allows misconceptions about credit scores to thrive and can keep people from taking the necessary steps to improve their scores.  What is a credit score? A credit score is a numerical value that represents your risk level as a borrower. It is used by lenders to help decide whether to ..read more

Editor’s note: Please be aware that we’re not tax professionals and this is not tax advice. Not many people look forward to filing their taxes—it can be overwhelming, confusing, or just a pain in the rear. But there is no point delaying the inevitable so here are some tips for getting through tax season without succumbing to stress: Collect your documents Before your tax documents start rolling in, create a designated place to keep them. You’ll need a physical folder for documents you receive in the mail as well as a computer file folder for electronic ones. Here are some of the common income ..read more

This post contains affiliate links and The Financial Gym may earn a commission on products that you purchase or apply for through these links. To learn more about why TFG participates in affiliate programs, read this message from our CEO. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. Not all available financial products and offers from all financial institutions have been reviewed by this website. A pe ..read more

Hello FinGym Friends and Family, Three months ago, I shared that we would be launching an investment subdivision for Financial Gym after years of client requests to provide this service. If I’m being fully transparent, I honestly had no clue how this news would be received. I knew we had a number of clients asking for this service, but I didn’t know what would happen when I sent that email into the universe. What has transpired in the last three months is something beyond anything even I could have imagined. The team and I have spent the last three months knee-deep in research on our competit ..read more

As if your own relationship with money isn’t complicated enough, making decisions that involve money and other people adds a whole new dimension. That’s where financial boundaries come into play. What is a financial boundary? A financial boundary is a limit you set to protect your financial health and well-being. Financial boundaries can be personal, like a budget, or interpersonal, like how you split a check with friends. Setting financial boundaries allows you to prioritize your goals and values. It is a form of putting your own oxygen mask on first and then helping others. Having financial ..read more

Dates are supposed to help people connect through fun and conversation. Whether you’ve just started dating, have been married for years, or just want to have fun with a friend, many go-to date ideas like dinner and a movie or drinks at a bar get expensive. If you’re looking to up your fun factor without blowing your budget, try these low-cost date ideas: Paint-by-number kit Paint-by-number kits aren’t just for kids anymore. Hop on Etsy or Amazon for order a pair of of canvasses for an easy, creative at-home date. For an added sentimental touch, order a customized kit designed from a photo of t ..read more

Talking about finances with your partner can lead to conflict or it can bring you closer together. No matter how long you’ve been together, it’s never too late to change the conversations you’re having about money (or even to start them!). Here are five tips for how to approach it: Plan ahead Ambushing your partner with a financial conversation or bringing finances up during an already heated discussion is unlikely to be productive. Instead, plan a time with your partner to talk about a financial topic and be specific so they can mentally prepare. For example, you could say, “I’d like it if w ..read more