Financial Fitness Blog — Financial Fitness Coaching

Financial Fitness Coaching

Posts in Money

Take the Time to Celebrate: How Recognizing Money Wins Fuels Financial Success

Take the Time to Celebrate: How Recognizing Money Wins Fuels Financial Success

Studies have shown that by March, 78% of people have abandoned their resolutions (and only 6% of resolutions last beyond a year!). Not because they didn’t care or weren’t serious, but because of the simple fact that life happens. Unexpected home repairs, slow months in business, an impulsive shopping trip — whatever it was that may have derailed you, know you’re not alone.

But here’s the thing with resolutions: the people who stick to their financial goals aren’t perfect; they’re the ones who know how to create momentum to keep going in their journey. And the best way to do that is by celebrating wins along the way.

Money, Personal Finance, Money Mindset, Income, Money ToolsKristen RicuperoMarch 8, 2025finance, financial coaching, Pittsburgh Financial Coach, North Carolina Financial Coach, personal finance, Habits, financial freedom, financial stability, money tools

How Money Meetings Can Strengthen Your Marriage and Your Finances

How Money Meetings Can Strengthen Your Marriage and Your Finances

Regular money meetings with your spouse can be a game-changer. They help prevent financial miscommunication, reduce stress, and (believe it or not) increase emotional intimacy. Yes, money talk can be romantic! It might feel awkward and overly structured at first, but with practice, these conversations will become second nature—and maybe even something you look forward to (no, really!).

Money, Personal Finance, Money Mindset, Money and Marriage, IncomeKristen RicuperoFebruary 26, 2025finance, financial coaching, Pittsburgh Financial Coach, North Carolina Financial Coach, personal finance, Habits, financial freedom, financial stability, marriage, money tools

Forget Resolutions This New Year: Focus on Sustainable Habits Instead

Forget Resolutions This New Year: Focus on Sustainable Habits Instead

While New Year’s resolutions are filled with hope and promise, did you know that most are abandoned in the first few weeks?

Research has shown that around 80% of resolutions fail by February! Ditching resolutions is so common that the second Friday in January is known as “Quitter’s Day,” when most people give up on their resolutions.

Why do so many resolutions fail?

Reflect, Plan, Act: 3 Smart Steps For Next Year’s Holiday Saving Strategy

Reflect, Plan, Act: 3 Smart Steps For Next Year’s Holiday Saving Strategy

The holidays are magical—twinkling lights, joyful gatherings, and the thrill of giving gifts. But let’s be honest: they can also burn a serious hole in your wallet. Before the eggnog wears off, let’s talk about how this year’s holiday spending can teach us a thing or two about setting up for financial success next year. Ready? Let’s dive into some festive financial wisdom.

Financial Planning for Business: Is a Financial Coach Your Best Strategy?

Financial Planning for Business: Is a Financial Coach Your Best Strategy?

Running a small business means wearing many hats, from overseeing operations and marketing to delivering exceptional customer service, all while keeping a close eye on finances.

However, for many small business owners, financial management can feel overwhelming or easy to push aside in the whirlwind of daily tasks. This is where financial coaching comes in.

Ditch the Holiday Hustle: Embrace Meaningful, Value-Based Gift-Giving

Ditch the Holiday Hustle: Embrace Meaningful, Value-Based Gift-Giving

The holiday season: when you’re either frantically running from store to store, scouring online sales, or on the verge of throwing in the towel and just sending everyone gift cards. (Hey, they’re useful, right?)

But what if this year could be different? What if we stopped trying to “keep up with the Joneses” and made giving all about meaning, not just money? Here’s how to bring intentionality—and a little less financial stress—back to holiday gifting.

Scary Money Mistakes: 4 Financial Pitfalls to Avoid to Protect Your Wealth

Scary Money Mistakes: 4 Financial Pitfalls to Avoid to Protect Your Wealth

It’s a scary thought: common money mistakes can jeopardize your wealth and financial health if left unchecked. But if you can identify and avoid these pitfalls, you can be smart with your money, protect your financial well-being, and work toward building a healthy and secure financial future.

How to Promote Your Small Business Without Spending a Fortune

How to Promote Your Small Business Without Spending a Fortune

Running a small business can feel like you’re constantly spinning in different directions. There’s always so much to do! Between managing clients, keeping up with your team, and ensuring everything is running smoothly, marketing can sometimes feel like a luxury you don’t have the budget for.

5 Things Your Accountant Wishes You Were Doing Now for Next Year’s Taxes

5 Things Your Accountant Wishes You Were Doing Now for Next Year’s Taxes

As fall rolls in and the leaves start changing, you might be thinking about cozy sweaters, pumpkin patches, and holiday plans. But your accountant? They’re thinking about taxes. Believe it or not, autumn is the perfect time to get ahead on tax prep, and your accountant definitely has a wishlist of things they wish you were doing now to make tax season less stressful.

From organizing paperwork to making smart financial moves, here are five things your accountant wants you to tackle before the year ends to set yourself up for a smooth tax season next year.

The ABCs of Money: How to Chat About Money with Your Kids

The ABCs of Money: How to Chat About Money with Your Kids

Money is one of those topics that can feel a bit tricky to discuss with your kids. How much do you share? When do you start? And how do you ensure they understand the value of a dollar without overwhelming them? Whether you’ve got a toddler just learning about the concept of “more” or a teenager eyeing that first job, talking to your kids about money is one of the most valuable lessons you can teach them.

5 Tips on How to Have a Winning Hiring Strategy

5 Tips on How to Have a Winning Hiring Strategy

Employees are the backbone of any business—they’re the driving force behind a business’ operations and long-term success. They’re trusted individuals who are skilled, creative, and dedicated, enabling a business to forge ahead, innovate, and grow.

As a small business owner, you know that the hiring process—knowing how, when, and who to hire—is a critical part of your business. Building the right workforce, at the right time, can strengthen the productivity and performance of your business, and ultimately help you to achieve your vision and goals.

Is Hiring a Contractor Worth it? Exploring the Cost of Home Renovation

Is Hiring a Contractor Worth it? Exploring the Cost of Home Renovation

Renovating your home can be an exciting yet daunting task. Should you channel your inner HGTV star and tackle it yourself, or is it wiser to call in the cavalry of seasoned professionals? Whether you’re eyeing a kitchen overhaul or just sprucing up the bathroom, making the right choice can save you time, money, and a heap of frustration.

Money, Personal Finance, Budget, Money Tools, Saving Money, Home Buying, Money and Marriage, ProductivityKristen RicuperoAugust 1, 2024finance, financial coaching, Pittsburgh Financial Coach, North Carolina Financial Coach, home ownership, home buyer, home renovation, Budget, DIY

Business Optimization: Know When and Why To Coast, Grow, and Pause

Business Optimization: Know When and Why To Coast, Grow, and Pause

Just like life, businesses also go through phases that are influenced by various internal and external factors. Understanding these phases can be key to the sustained success and longevity of your business. Whether your business is in a coasting phase, growth phase, or pause phase, each phase serves a purpose in moving your business forward.

By recognizing and managing these phases, and moving intentionally through them, you can make the most of each phase and help to grow and evolve a successful, thriving business.

Money, Profit First, Small Business, Small Business Finance, Business, Profit, Financial Protection, Business Growth, StrategyKristen RicuperoJuly 19, 2024financial coaching, Pittsburgh Financial Coach, North Carolina Financial Coach, small business coach, small business finance, small business, business growth, business goals

Financial Freedom: What Does It Mean to You and Can You Even Achieve It?

Financial Freedom: What Does It Mean to You and Can You Even Achieve It?

I recently had a heartfelt conversation with a friend who, with tears in her eyes, shared a significant milestone in her life. For the first time ever, she managed to fund her family’s vacation without resorting to debt.

In previous years, she had been caught in a vicious cycle of racking up credit card debt to fund their trips, only to spend months paying it off just in time for the next vacation.

As I joined in celebrating this meaningful moment with my friend, it prompted a moment of reflection on my own journey and the profound impact of managing finances wisely.

Strength and Resilience: Why You Need an Emergency Fund for Your Business

Strength and Resilience: Why You Need an Emergency Fund for Your Business

A personal emergency fund can act as a savings buffer and help you face the unexpected without taking a significant financial hit. “Saving for a rainy day” and having emergency savings can give you peace of mind and offer financial security through uncertain times.

Just as unforeseen events can disrupt your personal finances, your business can also face unpredictable challenges that threaten its financial stability. It’s crucial to have an emergency fund for your business to help provide a layer of financial security — expecting the unexpected and being financially prepared can help your business survive any challenges that come your way.

Summer Savvy: How to Plan for Expenses and Enjoy a Stress-Free Summer

Summer Savvy: How to Plan for Expenses and Enjoy a Stress-Free Summer

Here’s a tip that we often forget in the rush leading up to the end of the school year:

Plan ahead for the expenses of summer.

You’ll likely be thankful you did — preparing and planning can help you enjoy the season and focus on fun instead of finances. By creating a budget and saving early for certain seasonal expenses, you can make the most of your summer without the stress and worries of overspending.

Profit All Year Round: Smart Financial Planning for Seasonal Business Owners

Profit All Year Round: Smart Financial Planning for Seasonal Business Owners

If you find yourself frantically slashing expenses, racking up debt on lines of credit, or worse, dipping into your personal funds just to stay afloat during the off-season, it's time for an intervention. Your finances shouldn't be at the mercy of fleeting trends. You need to take control and implement smarter planning.

Breaking the Chains: How to Escape the Vicious Cycle of Debt

Breaking the Chains: How to Escape the Vicious Cycle of Debt

We've probably all been there at some point in our lives — staring at those bills, trying to figure out how the heck we ended up drowning in debt again. Whether it's unexpected emergencies, lack of planning, or just a case of the "I want it" taking over, debt can quickly spiral into a vicious cycle that can leave you feeling suffocated.

If this is you — it's time to break free from those debt shackles and reclaim your financial freedom.

Finding Your Financial Freedom: How to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner

Finding Your Financial Freedom: How to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner

One of the most important (but often overlooked) aspects of running your company is addressing the question, “How much should I pay myself?” It’s crucial to pay yourself regularly to maintain financial stability. The whole point of starting a business is typically to create financial freedom and security for yourself and your family. But it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day operations and forget to take care of your own paycheck.

Boost Your Wealth: Discover 5 Types of Bank Accounts for Maximized Earnings

Boost Your Wealth: Discover 5 Types of Bank Accounts for Maximized Earnings

Knowing where to stash your cash can feel a bit like choosing your fighter in a video game. Each option comes with its own set of powers, weaknesses, and strategies to maximize your wealth. Some of you might be thinking, "Any old bank account will do, right?" Let me stop you right there. Not all bank accounts are created equal — they come in different shapes and sizes, each with its own set of pros and cons.

Let’s look at some of the most common bank accounts. Getting your cash situated in the right spot can maximize returns, minimize fees, and generally make your money work harder for you.

Let's unpack these traits and see how to incorporate them into your financial journey.

Money Mindset, Money, Personal Finance, Budget, Money Tools, Financial Protection, BankingKristen RicuperoApril 5, 2024finance, financial coaching, Pittsburgh Financial Coach, North Carolina Financial Coach, financial freedom, personal finance, Budget, Habits, banking, personal bank account