An Interview with Beth

Who are your clients exactly?

I work with self-motivated and high-energy professionals and entrepreneurs (individuals and couples) who experience overwhelm, uncertainty, and/or stress when it comes to managing their money by teaching them skills to save money, get out of debt, and keep more of the money that they make so that they can have more freedom, choice, and peace in their lives. 

Most of my clients live in what I like to refer to as the “Bermuda Triangle of Finances (TM),” and experience at least 2 of the 3 points on the “triangle”.  Point #1 = they make good money and aren’t clear on how they’re spending it. Point #2 = consumer debt (credit cards, etc.) averages between $25,000 – $50,000. Point #3 = they have limited or no liquid savings (i.e. not long-term retirement funds).  It’s our job to work together to consider and address each of these points on the triangle to pull my clients back up out of the downward spiral they’ve been in, often for many years.  Something just isn’t right about the fact that they’re working so hard but they have little (or less than they’d like) to show for it, so my clients want to understand how their money flows (in and out) and how to easily manage their money in the future.

My clients don’t have time for grandiose processes full of details or to read books to figure out which of the many different ways could work for them, instead they need something that’s easy to understand and implement and that will be a streamlined and efficient money management process going forward. They’re looking to put a plan in place to quickly address any financial challenges that they’re currently having, while simultaneously strengthening their financial foundation so that they can make proactive choices in their lives.

What happens if you haven’t yet worked with people like me yet?

I’ve worked with hundreds of people over the last 22 years with a wide scope of financial backgrounds, habits, and challenges.  Most likely I’ve worked with someone like you, however even if I haven’t worked with someone in your exact situation, I’ve worked with enough people to understand that the process I’ve designed and tweaked over time is adaptable.  My view is that having structure and process around finances is a critical piece of each of my clients building a strong financial foundation, however each client usually needs a slight amount of customization to how they build their foundation and my process allows for that while remaining committed to a streamlined and efficient financial life. 

While the process that I use with my clients was originally designed to work with professionals who are employed by someone else (i.e. work at a company and earn a regular salary), I’ve found that with a few adjustments and additions to the process that it works equally well for self-employed individuals or entrepreneurs who are looking to take charge of their financial lives.

How are you different from other “financial coaches” or other financial professionals?

Although I am often mistaken for a financial advisor or financial planner, or a CPA who does taxes, I am neither of these things!

If you think of your overall financial health as a spectrum, there are various professionals along that spectrum who support others to Build, Protect, and Grow their financial assets.  Professionals such as CPAs, attorneys, and financial advisors/planners support their clients to protect and grow assets that already exist, and I don’t do any of this (i.e. taxes, estate planning, investments, etc.)  I work with individuals in the “Build” phase of spectrum, who typically live paycheck-to-paycheck and/or feel out of control when it comes to their financial affairs and how they use money in their daily lives.

What that means for you is that I’m very focused on anything and everything that involves helping you to manage your money efficiently and effectively.  Because my focus is very narrow, what you get with me is no-nonsense systems and strategies designed to work for active, self-motivated, and high-energy professionals and entrepreneurs. I’ve simply become an expert at this stuff and that’s why my clients and workshop participants get great results!  Of course it always help that I’m compassionate, full of encouragement, and I’m always looking for a way to help people lighten up when it comes to money and to also make finances friendly and fun (seriously, it CAN happen, trust me!).

I’m also unique in the sense that I’m highly practical and logical (my CPA/MBA side), yet I’m highly intuitive and spiritual as well.  This blend helps me to shift easily back and forth between teaching financial skills (practical and logical) and really listening to what my clients are struggling with (intuitive and spiritual).  My use of my intuition is an important part of my coaching given that I use intuition to guide me in customizing each client’s experience.  So while I consistently use certain systems and strategies with each client, I create space with each client to adjust and adapt their program based on the specific needs and issues that arise from their assignments and our conversations.

(Special note: I am a licensed CPA (State of Rhode Island), and although I spent over 11 years auditing a wide-range of privately-held and publicly-traded businesses (small, mid-sized, and large) I am very clear with my clients that I am not a tax expert.  I know enough about taxes to ask some important questions, however I myself use an experienced tax professional to guide me and my business and when appropriate I refer my clients to an experienced tax professional as well.  I am very clear about my area of expertise (both what it is and what is it not), so in the event that something arises during the course of our work together that requires a different type of expertise (i.e. tax, financial planning, legal, etc.) I will happily engage one of my trusted colleagues to ensure that you receive the best service possible.)

What type of personality do you work best with and what is expected of me?

All of the Financially Authentic programs, products, and workshops were designed for people who are committed to getting a handle on their finances and ending the sleepless nights of being concerned about mounting debt and/or how to pay the next unexpected bill that arrives.  Everything that I’ve created for you I’ve done with the idea of allowing you to put simple systems in place that will allow you to be in control of your money as well as begin to transform and heal your relationship with money.  After you gain control of your money, you can make more empowered and informed choices about how you live your life.  Past clients who have been willing to invest the time to understand the systems I’ve designed and who have implemented them quickly in their own lives have seen positive financial changes in as little as a few weeks, and in several months have had control over their finances.

I’m a high-achieving go-getter myself, and I’m known to work best with other high achieving go-getters who are ready to take control of their financial lives and want to know what steps to take to do just that.  If we work together, you can expect our time together to be high impact and you’ll be asked to take committed and consistent action to move you toward your goals and learn the skills that you’ve not yet been taught.  No excuses anymore,  just a very different way of thinking and my full support while you achieve this incredibly exciting goal of having control over your financial life and building a financial foundation so that you can have more freedom, choice, and peace in your life.

(P.S. I feel it fair to share with you that more than one client has referred to me as a “friendly nudge” – I am not afraid to let you know when and if you’re not stepping up to do what’s necessary to get the results that I know you want for yourself and that I am committed to providing for you.  That being said, I deliver that message in a kind, constructive, and professional manner…thus, the affectionate “friendly nudge” nickname!)

For what type of person is your program NOT going to work?

Please know that I’m very selective in who I work with and from time to time I choose to (gently) turn away people who aren’t suited for my programs and who won’t then get the results that they would have signed up for.  It’s not fair to them, and it wouldn’t be in line with my own integrity to serve my clients well and for each client to reap the benefits of the investments (of time and money) that they’d be making.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (“1” being very unmotivated to become financially empowered and “10” being extremely motivated), if you are not yet a “9” or a “10” you may not be a good fit for our private programs.  While money management is indeed a teachable and learnable skill, our work together will require you to examine your relationship with money which isn’t always comfortable or easy to do and thus, commitment and motivation to breaking through old stories and your financial past is very important.

Also, if you have a tendency to invest in programs and then challenge the advice and/or expertise that you’ve invested in, it’s likely that we won’t be able to create an effective partnership together.  (This is NOT to say that your opinion and thoughts don’t matter…they very much do.  All I ask is that you are open to the effective and efficient systems and strategies that I’ve spent years designing and that you’re willing to see new possibilities based on what I share with you.)  Another type of person that I don’t work well with (without exception) is the whiner or chronic skeptic, as well as individuals who consistently make excuses for not getting their assignments done.  If any of these descriptions apply to you right now, I’d gently and respectfully ask that you not contact me and I hope you understand why.   I have no judgment whatsoever about where people are at when they find me, it’s simply that we’ll probably just not work well together and I wouldn’t want to waste your time or your money. Is that fair?

Lastly, the Financially Authentic programs are NOT for those who have no money coming in and are experiencing severe financial hardship, at least not right away.  It’s been my experience that people in financial crisis do not trust the recommendations that I give them and aren’t able to do the work that I ask of them (most likely because they spend a lot of time and energy worrying about where they are going to get the money for their next bill).

If you happen to fall in this category, it’s absolutely OK.  Many people have experienced financial crisis at one point or another, and in fact almost 70% of the population is living paycheck to paycheck and levels of personal debt are extremely high for many people.  Please know that you are not alone.  For right now, you can do yourself a few favors:

1)      Get some money coming in with a full-time or part-time job at the very least, so that you can ensure peace of mind for yourself by having your basic needs met (i.e. a roof over your head, food, transportation, etc.).  With the pressure partially relieved, you’ll be able to focus a bit more on what I’ll have to offer and you’ll be able to focus on any of your assignments.

2)      Get creative with money-generating ideas.  What skills and abilities do you have right now that you could offer to start generating some cash?  Where is there money right in front of you that you could be earning?  Even if you are in financial crisis right now, this can be an empowering experience to take control of your own financial destiny instead of simply accepting your current situation.  Commit to generating 50 ideas (yes, 50!) on ways you could generate cash, and then review that list of ideas in order to select the top 5 ideas to implement to quickly generate some money and relieve some of the financial pressure.

3)      Sign up for the FREE audio on our home page, “3 Steps to Design Your Financial Plan, Save Money, and Get Out of Debt”.  This audio will get you started towards your goals until you’re ready to work with me one-on-one.  As an additional bonus, when you sign up for the free audio we’ll also add you to our list to receive strategies and ideas every few weeks on how to live a financially proactive life!

4)      Make a point to listen to any free teleclass seminars that I offer or perhaps consider products that I create that require a smaller investment to get you started.  I’m always working to ensure that what I share with my community is high value and full of great content, even if it’s free or low investment.

Doing all of these things will really help you to get ready for our work together in the future.  When you’re ready, call me and we can get you started.  I’m in no rush and I’m not going anywhere, and I’ll be here when the time is right for us to consider partnering together.

What exactly is The Financial Freedom Foundational System (TM) and what does it include?

Building a strong financial foundation that allows you freedom and choice in your life begins with understanding where you are now, and then using that information to make decisions about where you should head next.  Here’s what the System helps you to do:

1. Check Your Financial Mindset – Together, we’ll talk about your experiences with money growing up to understand how these experiences are influencing you and how you handle money today.  We’ll determine if you have any non-supportive beliefs about money that are subconsciously running your financial life, and then we’ll begin the process of reconditioning how you think and feel about money.  Ultimately, this reconditioning will more positively impact how you act with your money now and in the future.  It’s amazing how much of an impact this one step alone has on how my clients interact with their money!

2. Assess Where You Are Now – We’ll use tools to capture financial information and build a financial “snapshot” of where you are now.  While we’ll ultimately move you toward a more positive financial future (and get away from the blame, shame, and guilt you may have), it’s important to have the critical information on where things currently stand.  You can only figure out where to go once you know where you’ve been and where you are.

3. Understand Your Financial Opportunities and Challenges – After building a financial snapshot of where you are now, we’ll spend time together to understand your financial opportunities as well as your financial challenges.  This information will be important in devising the next best steps for you to take with your finances.  Do you have a lot of debt that needs to be paid off?  Do you not have debt yet but still spend your money randomly and without much thought to it? Are you making the best use of the money you earn?

4. Decide How To Spend Your Money – Learning to use your money intentionally instead of unconsciously is critical to building a strong financial foundation.  In this step, we work together to build a more empowered mindset around your money by beginning to see bills and other obligations as money-making opportunities (i.e. where can I save? where am I overspending?) and we design a savings and spending plan that allows your money to flow in and out of your life in an effective and efficient manner.  This step also includes looking at the timing of your income and expenses so that you can be sure to plan how to use your cash in a way that avoids overdraft fees and allows you to save at the same time.

5. Save Your Way Out of Debt – The roller coaster of the debt cycle can be a wild ride that keeps you dependent on using credit cards, home equity lines, and other forms of consumer debt.  However, if you’re saving at the same time you’re paying off your debt you can begin to build a strong financial life for yourself.  Using proven methods, this step allows us to design a plan to pay off your debt while saving and paying all of your monthly bills in a timely fashion.  Even if you don’t have consumer debt right now, learning this method is helpful as most people experience some form of debt in their life – you could even apply the process to pay down your mortgage or your student loans faster!

6. Revisit, Review & Revise Your Plan – Once we’ve proactively designed a new savings and spending plan for you (including a debt payoff plan, if applicable), it’s important to revisit and review your plan after you’ve lived with it for a few months so that we can see how it’s working and not working for you.  We may need to make some tweaks to the plan (life happens!), and revising your plan as necessary and on a regular basis is an important part of remaining committed to a life of financial freedom and choice.

7. Think Longer Term to Stabilize After your monthly financial plan has become more routine for you, it’s time to take a broader view at planning how your money flows on an annual basis.  Month-to-month planning is a good first step, however reviewing your finances on an annual basis allows for increased financial stability in your life. Many of my clients have financial commitments that are “one-offs” (they only come up once (or perhaps twice) a year) and thus they may not yet be part of any monthly plan that has been designed.  In this step, we determine what those commitments are and build them into the savings and spending plan over a period of time so that you can prepare in advance for such unusual and non-recurring expenses rather than being caught by surprise.

These are the steps of The Financial Freedom Foundational System (TM) that I’ve created after working with hundreds of successful professionals over the last 20+ years to help them gain control of their finances and live a more stable financial life that allows for freedom and choice.

In addition to these 7 steps, you will also learn many other tips on how to manage your finances more easily, effectively streamline and automate your finances, take charge of your earning potential, AND stop using your money randomly and instead make every dollar you earn work for you most effectively.

Does this really work?

Yes! The result of my work is an approach to money management that, over time and with your dedication, works consistently to handle any existing financial challenges while beginning the process of building a strong financial foundation for you going forward.   When you invest the time to consciously use your money as a tool to support your life, it begins to relieve your worries about money and allows you to be proactive while opening doors to all sorts of opportunity and choice in your life.  But instead of taking my word for it, see what my clients have to say here.

What results can I expect?

You can expect to:

  • Stop worrying about what might be happening with your money and instead learn the truth (even if it ends up being a little bit scary);
  • Learn whether you have any non-supportive beliefs about money that are holding you back from your full financial potential;
  • Begin to heal and transform your relationship with money;
  • Understand your “money map” – where your money is coming from and where it’s going to;
  • Discover how you can be keeping more of the money that you make so that you can build a strong financial foundation that will support your ability to have choices in your life (now, and in the future);
  • Develop a financial “snapshot” of your finances (by leveraging easy-to-use and easy-to-follow-tool) so that you can have a benchmark to measure your financial success against;
  • Start reducing financial overwhelm and stress, and begin shifting toward financial independence and success;
  • Leverage the experience of an expert to understand your financial opportunities and challenges (and get advice on what the next best step is for you);
  • Sleep better at night knowing you’re beginning to take charge of your financial future;
  • Consciously choose financial independence as your new path and begin making more informed and proactive choices with your money;
  • Eliminate any haphazard approach when it comes to your finances and instead learn how to systematically handle your money;
  • Learn an efficient financial system and process that allows you to manage and maintain your finances with a minimum amount of disciplined effort and attention each week;
  • Begin to implement routine in your financial affairs by learning about the timing and flow of your financial transactions and then automating your finances;
  • Intentionally develop a financial plan that allows you to manage your existing commitments (i.e. debt, living expenses), save for the future, and truly connect with what you value most all at the same time;
  • Stabilize your financial life by learning to anticipate and plan for activities that don’t always happen regularly;
  • Make a shift to being more powerful with your money which in the end will support a stable and non-dramatic approach to your finances.

Can I contact some of your former clients to see what it’s like to work with you?

You certainly can!  Please check out my Happy Clients page and read all of the testimonials listed there.  See which one(s) you feel drawn to, either because the person has gotten the results you want to get or perhaps that person has a similar background to you.  Feel free to email info@financiallyauthentic.com to let me know the person you’d like to talk to and I’d be happy to make the connection for you.

How quickly can I expect results?

Obviously, this depends on what financial challenges you’re experiencing right now (i.e. how long it will take to address them) as well as how fully you complete the assignments I give you.  That said, virtually all of my clients see results within the first few months as they begin to move from feeling financially stressed to financially skilled.  Relatively quickly, they begin to take charge of their money and have a solid grasp of the financial challenges that they face as well as the financial opportunities they have in front of them.  Within a few weeks, my clients experience a sense of calm and peace that they are working with the guidance of an expert through a systematic process to reclaim their financial power by learning skills and systems that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

How can I guarantee myself that I will build a financial foundation so that I can have more choice and freedom, in record time?

First and foremost, do all of your assignments as I ask you to do them!  There is a “method to the madness,” and while you may not necessarily fully understand where you’re headed I’ve helped clients down the road to financial freedom and independence many times and I’ll hold the space for you to also become more financially proactive.  Trust that I’m leading you down the right path and understand that it’s not a “quick fix,” it’s not magic, and I don’t have a financial fairy wand.  It takes time to plant all of the seeds and begin to build a financial foundation.  Think of the old quote…Rome wasn’t built in a day.  Along the same lines as that old quote, a mentor of mine says “you don’t often eat the fruit the same day that you plant the seeds” – being patient and doing the work completely and consistently will yield wonderful results for you.

All of my clients who have diligently applied each step of The Financial Freedom Foundational System (TM) have successfully gotten a hold on their finances and started to address their financial challenges while putting systems and structure in place to build a successful financial future.

Will I recover the investment that I put into your program?

Yes! While it’s difficult to estimate how quickly you’ll recover your investment in your program, I will say that I’ve had clients recover their full program investment in just a few weeks (sometimes all it takes is an expert to see that one or two financial moves could make a significant difference financially) while other clients may take several months or perhaps even a year or two (monthly savings over time can have a huge impact).  I cannot predict with absolute certainty when you’ll recover the full amount of your investment, however I will note that when clients do the work they reap the rewards faster by eliminating stress and worry and experiencing greater peace and energy.

What you’re regularly getting with my programs and coaching is what I call a series of “a-ha” moments that will address your financial challenges and build your financial foundation faster than you ever would on your own.  Expect to have a lot of these moments as well as having access to easy-to-use and done-for-you resources that I’ve specially designed as well as resources you’ve been looking for and haven’t found until now.  You’re likely the type of person who wants results in the form of keeping more of the money that you’re making and having an easy and simple system to manage your financial life going forward.  Good news, you’ve come to the right place!

Beth, based on everything I’ve read and heard about you, I know you’re the one I want to learn from.  What are my options for getting started with you?

Congratulations on making a decision to become financially proactive!  I’d be happy to work with you to begin achieving your financial goals.

To get started with addressing your financial overwhelm and beginning your journey to financial freedom and independence, here are the different programs I’ve created for you:

1) VIP Days – If you’re looking for a kick-start to a more empowered financial existence, VIP days are a great way to use my expertise in a quick and fast-paced manner.  VIP days are typically scheduled in either 2-hour or 3-hour time blocks, and they are focused on me walking you through specific parts of The Financial Freedom Foundational System(TM) to get you up and running with some new financial behaviors that will lead you toward greater financial stability in your life.  Traditionally, VIP days are best for people who can be described as self-starters, and who are accustomed to learning new things quickly and are usually successful at implementing new knowledge on their own.

2) “Prioritize Your Plan” 6-month Private Coaching Program – This program is designed to help you: understand your money mindset, assess where you are financially right now, and make the shift to using a new savings and spending plan that will guide you toward a life of financial freedom and choice.  Whereas VIP days are a specific block of time, over 6 months this program will allow you to learn new financial behaviors and techniques in bite-sized pieces so that you can truly absorb what you’re learning.  Over the duration of the program, you’ll be able to build your financial confidence, begin the shift from being financially stressed to being financially skilled, and begin to manage your money proactively on your own.

3) “Fast Track to Financial Freedom” 9-month Private Coaching Program – This program includes everything that the “Prioritize Your Plan” program does, and also advances you to a new level that incorporates a longer-term perspective on building a financial plan for how you use your money.  Also, this program allows full access to me through email, 15-minute laser coaching sessions when needed (in addition to regularly scheduled coaching sessions) and a whole host of other awesome bonuses!  In a 9-month period, you can make the shift from being financially overwhelmed to knowing you’re on a path that will allow you to be financially independent, and learn the skills necessary to keep you moving forward financially in a powerful way.

OK, I know which program I want.  How do we get started?

Great! Did you know that one of the most prominent characteristics of financially empowered people is that they take action (yes, even perhaps in light of being afraid)?  They take educated risks, are decisive, take action, and they move forward towards success faster as a direct result of this.  It’s a well-known fact that these people make decisions based on their gut instinct. So, with that being said, since this feels right for you I say go for it!

Here’s what to do: just click on the “Contact” page on my website and send me a note that you’re ready to get started, or you can email me directly at info@financiallyauthentic.com. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me and I’d be happy to address any questions you have.  I can’t wait to meet you in person or on the phone to get you started on your path to financial freedom.  You deserve to have the financial resources at your fingertips that will allow you more choice in your life!

There’s an irony in the fact that I know I need to work with you, yet I can’t afford to given the nature of my financial situation – what should I do?

I get this question all the time, and I’m happy to respond to it.  Yes, working with me is indeed an investment, not only of your money but also of your time.  I pride myself in helping clients identify the program that is best for them, and that includes not over-investing in a program if it is not the right solution given where you are.  I tell clients all the time that there’s no need to invest in a Cadillac if a Ford will do the trick!  I make sure that clients are investing their time and financial resources as wisely as possible when they work with me.  I enjoy being financially rewarded for the value that I provide, however it does not make me feel good to take money unnecessarily and my integrity requires that I be honest about how clients will be best served in working with me.

Also, let’s start by shifting your mindset from I can’t afford it to how can I afford it?  My job is to get you to think in an empowered way about how to move forward financially, and sometimes that means getting creative about how to afford the guidance that you need.  While I’m happy to work with clients to help them determine how to pay for a program, I also ask that if you feel you’re ready to work with me that you do some thinking in advance about how you may be able to afford the program and I’d be happy to explore your ideas with you during our initial call to help you get comfortable with making an investment.  Think about where you may be leaving money on the table – what can you sell? What skills and abilities do you have that you could offer to others to earn some additional money?  Get creative and empower yourself to go after what you want!

I’m not sure if I’m ready to get started, how can I sample your work to see if it’s the right solution for me?

A way to sample The Financial Freedom Foundational System (TM) is to sign up for the FREE audio on our home page, “3 Steps to Design Your Financial Plan, Save Money, and Get Out of Debt“.  When you sign up for this audio, you’ll also be added to our list to receive proven tips and the latest and most up-to-date information on tools and powerful techniques from our Financially Authentic coaching programs.  I’m committed to providing high-content and high-value information to you!

Also, you can follow me HERE on Facebook to see the newest thoughts and ideas that I’m sharing.

OK, I’m ready to do this for myself, but I have a couple of additional questions.  Can I call you?

If you have a couple of questions just email me at info@financiallyauthentic.com and I’ll be happy to either answer your questions via email or reply back to set up a time to talk briefly to address your questions.  I can’t wait to see you become financially skilled and successful, and I’m genuinely honored to be the one that you’ve asked to help you.  Let’s get going!

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