Issue XV | 1 Year—What Changing Your Life Looks Like

I think I always intuitively understood this, but it became clear enough for me to articulate recently. I have my clients to thank for this epiphany.

The field of personal finance drew me in the moment I realized it applied to me. I, like many of you, came from a middle-class family whose financial know-how was fine, but lackluster. I went to college, got a job, and suddenly, I was in my early twenties and in charge of a paycheck. I’m fortunate that regardless of the situation I’m in, my initial thoughts are usually something along the lines of, “how do I make the best of what I’ve got?”

That is the origin story of Trident Financial Coaching in a nutshell: it was the desire to learn what to do with money now that it was coming my way, but there was more to it that I hadn’t figured out yet.

Somewhere along the way of learning as much personal finance as I have so far, I realized that most other people don’t know the basics. In fact, many people straight up avoid the basics—money is scary to think about because we know how important it is to how our lives will play out, but we also feel like we might be failing, and don’t want to take on what looks like a monumental task to learn more about it.

It’s been about one year since I started Trident Financial Coaching (January of 2024), and I’ve seen this play out with my clients now in different ways. While the financial situations are not the same, the way they feel about them generally are: anxiety, lack of confidence, unsure of the future, and no idea where to start to address it all. This is understandably overwhelming, especially as life keeps moving forward while you feel like you need to play catch-up.

Recently, while working with a client, is when the key realization really hit me: financial education can be life changing. This is not an overstatement—it’s also exactly why the field of personal finance drew me in when I got that first paycheck four years ago.

“How do I make the best of what I’ve got?” This question that my mind instinctively goes to is empowering—you don’t have to live by terms other than the ones you decide to sign off on. Money is no different.

Don’t get me wrong, we don’t all get dealt the same hand as we get started. The part that matters most, if you decide to approach it this way, is that you were dealt a hand at all. You’re in the game, and you can play as hard as you’d like to.

Financial education can look like turning your life’s trajectory around completely, or it can look like making your life incrementally better over time. Doesn’t really matter, does it?—it’s about feeling like you have the ability to improve. It just takes your mindset and some focused intention.

If you want help figuring out how to get from where you are to where you want to be, consider working with me! I too am on this journey and have the experience and knowledge to help you come along with me. Schedule a free 30 minute consultation below, or take the “Is Financial Coaching Right for You?” questionnaire to see where you stand with your personal finances! 

Until next time!