Life & Money with Abby

Life & Money with Abby I teach you how to use money more effectively as a tool to do more of the important things in life.

It's amazing how quickly we can convince ourselves that we're falling behind.A friend buys a new house. Someone from hig...
08/09/2026

It's amazing how quickly we can convince ourselves that we're falling behind.

A friend buys a new house. Someone from high school posts pictures from another European vacation. A coworker talks about retiring early. Before long, we're wondering if we should be doing more, saving more, earning more, or somehow be further along than we are.

The problem is, we're comparing our real life to someone else's highlight reel, and we rarely know the whole story.

We don't know what sacrifices they made to get there. We don't know what debt they may be carrying. We don't know what their goals are or whether they're even the same as ours.

Yet it's so easy to let someone else's financial journey become the measuring stick for our own.

That's money baggage.

It quietly shifts our focus away from the life we're intentionally building and toward the life we think we're supposed to have.

One of the healthiest things you can do for your finances is define success on your own terms. Your goals, your priorities, your family, and your timeline are uniquely yours. They don't need to match anyone else's to be meaningful.

The goal was never to keep up with everyone around you. The goal is to build a life that feels right for you.

If comparison has you questioning whether you're doing enough, it might be time to stop looking sideways and start looking at the plan that's right in front of you.

Back-to-school shopping is one of those things we tend to rush through. We grab the supply list, fill the cart, check ou...
08/06/2026

Back-to-school shopping is one of those things we tend to rush through. We grab the supply list, fill the cart, check out, and move on to the next item on the to-do list.

But what if we slowed down just a little?

This time of year is full of opportunities to teach kids about money in ways that actually stick.

Talk about the difference between something they need and something they simply want. Compare prices on similar items and ask why one costs more than another. Give them a budget for their backpack or lunchbox and let them decide how they want to spend it. If they choose the more expensive water bottle, what might they have to give up somewhere else?

Those aren't just shopping decisions—they're life skills.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our kids is the confidence to make thoughtful financial decisions long before they're managing a paycheck, applying for a credit card, or making major purchases of their own.

Financial literacy isn't built in one big conversation. It's built through hundreds of little moments like these.

So as you're checking off the school supply list this year, don't miss the opportunity to check off something even more important: helping your child become a confident, thoughtful decision-maker with money.

If you've spent any time on social media lately, you've probably noticed there's no shortage of financial advice. Every ...
08/03/2026

If you've spent any time on social media lately, you've probably noticed there's no shortage of financial advice. Every day, someone is telling you to always pay off your debt first, always invest your bonus, or always max out your retirement accounts.

The problem is, those recommendations assume everyone's life looks the same. They don't.

I've met people with the same income, the same age, and even similar jobs who needed completely different financial strategies because their goals, families, priorities, and comfort levels with money were nothing alike.

That's why one of the first things I say when someone asks me, "What should I do?" is usually, "Tell me more."

I want to know what you're working toward. I want to understand what keeps you up at night, what you're excited about, and what financial success looks like to you. I also want to understand how you naturally think about money, because that has a bigger impact on your financial decisions than most people realize.

That's exactly why I created the Moneyagram. It's one of the tools I use to understand the person behind the numbers, so we can build a financial plan that isn't just technically sound—it's one you'll actually feel confident following.

Generic financial advice has its place, but a truly good financial plan should reflect your life, not someone else's. My goal has never been to hand everyone the same answer. It's to help you make smart money moves that fit your goals, your personality, and the future you're trying to build.

Because the best financial advice doesn't start with a recommendation.

It starts with understanding.

Click the link in my bio to find out your Moneyagram type!

How is it August already?It feels like summer just started, and somehow we're already looking ahead to school supply lis...
08/01/2026

How is it August already?

It feels like summer just started, and somehow we're already looking ahead to school supply lists, fall sports, dance tuition, new clothes, and calendars that are about to get a whole lot busier.

Before we jump into another season, this is a great time to check a few things off your financial bucket list.

Have you looked at your budget lately? Are you ready for the expenses you know are coming? Is your emergency fund where you want it to be? Are you still making progress toward your long-term goals, even with all the fun that summer tends to bring?

None of those questions are meant to create guilt. They're simply a reminder that a little preparation today can make the next few months feel much less stressful.

One of the things I hear most often from my clients is how much peace of mind they have knowing their plan is already in place. They aren't wondering how they're going to handle the next season because we've already talked about it, planned for it, and built it into their financial picture.

That's what a financial plan is really for. It's not about taking the fun out of life. It's about giving you the confidence to enjoy each season without worrying about what comes next.

If you're heading into fall hoping things will somehow work themselves out, let's change that. I'd love to help you build a plan that lets you enjoy the rest of summer knowing you're ready for whatever the next season brings.

As you're getting the kids ready to head back to school...You're probably buying school supplies, replacing shoes they s...
07/30/2026

As you're getting the kids ready to head back to school...

You're probably buying school supplies, replacing shoes they somehow outgrew over the summer, signing permission slips, and getting everyone back into a routine.

Here's one thing that probably isn't on your checklist—but maybe it should be.

Open (or contribute to) a 529 plan.

I know...college probably feels like it's a long way off. But that's exactly why it's worth thinking about now. Even small, consistent contributions can make a meaningful difference over time.

One of the conversations I enjoy having with young families is showing them how to start saving in a way that fits their budget today while keeping their child's future in mind.

If opening a 529 has been on your "I'll get to it someday" list, let's make this fall the season you finally check it off.

I'd be happy to answer your questions, walk you through your options, and help you decide if it's the right fit for your family.

Make a 529 part of your fall checklist. 🍎

Send me a message—let's talk.

Ask ten people what financial success looks like, and you'll probably get ten different answers.For one person, it's pay...
07/27/2026

Ask ten people what financial success looks like, and you'll probably get ten different answers.

For one person, it's paying off their mortgage. For another, it's taking their family on a vacation every year. Someone else might dream of retiring early, starting a business, giving generously, or simply having enough saved to sleep well at night.

None of those answers are wrong.

In fact, they're often shaped by something much deeper than income or investment performance. They're influenced by our experiences, our priorities, and the way we're naturally wired to think about money.

That's one of the reasons I love the Moneyagram. It helps explain why two people can make completely different financial decisions and still be moving toward success.

A Budget Keeper may feel successful because they've built stability.

An Enjoyer may define success by the memories they've created with the people they love.

A Protector might find peace in knowing they're prepared for the unexpected.

An Analyzer may feel confident because they've carefully thought through every decision.

The goal isn't to convince everyone to define success the same way.

It's to build a financial plan that supports your version of success.

When your goals reflect what truly matters to you, not what someone else says they should be, you're much more likely to stick with the plan and enjoy the journey along the way.

I'm curious... when you hear the words financial success, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

Weekends have a way of slowing us down just enough to notice what's been weighing on us.For some people, that's a never-...
07/26/2026

Weekends have a way of slowing us down just enough to notice what's been weighing on us.

For some people, that's a never-ending to-do list. For others, it's the quiet voice that says, "I should be doing more." Working more. Earning more. Saving more. Checking one more thing off the list before they can finally relax.

Sometimes that feeling has less to do with money and more to do with the story we've attached to it.

Maybe you grew up believing that rest had to be earned. That productivity determined your value. That there was always one more goal to reach before you could enjoy what you'd worked so hard to build.

That's money baggage.

It quietly shapes the way we think about spending, saving, and even taking time for ourselves.

The truth is, a healthy financial plan isn't designed to keep you chasing the next milestone forever. It's designed to create the freedom to enjoy the life you're building along the way.

So if you're fortunate enough to have a little downtime this weekend, give yourself permission to enjoy it.

Not because you've checked every box.

Not because your financial life is perfect.

But because life isn't something that begins once you've accomplished everything. It's happening right now.

What's one thing you're doing this weekend that fills your cup? I'd love to hear about it.

If your kids spend any time on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, chances are they've come across a "finfluencer."One video ...
07/23/2026

If your kids spend any time on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, chances are they've come across a "finfluencer."

One video says to buy a certain stock before it's "too late." Another promises a side hustle that will make them rich in a month. Someone else is talking about crypto, options trading, or retiring by 30.

Some of that content can spark genuine interest in investing, and I actually think that's a good thing. The problem is that social media is designed to reward attention, not accuracy. The advice that's getting the most views isn't always the advice that's best for your child.

That's why these videos can become such great conversation starters.

Instead of saying, "Don't listen to that," ask questions like:

• What did you find interesting about that video?
• Why do you think that person is giving this advice?
• What information might be missing?
• How would you know if it's a good financial decision?

Helping your child learn to ask thoughtful questions is far more valuable than giving them all the answers.

If your son or daughter is showing an interest in investing, that's something worth encouraging. It's also the perfect time to bring in someone who can help separate good financial principles from social media trends.

I'd love to be part of that conversation. Together, we can help your child build a strong foundation, understand how investing really works, and create a plan that grows with them—not one that's based on whatever happens to be trending this week.

When people picture retirement, it's easy to assume everyone is working toward the same goal. Travel the world. Buy a co...
07/20/2026

When people picture retirement, it's easy to assume everyone is working toward the same goal. Travel the world. Buy a cottage. Play golf every day. Spend winters somewhere warm.

The truth is, retirement looks different for everyone, and that's exactly how it should be.

Some people find peace in knowing every dollar has a purpose. Others dream about making memories with their family, giving generously, or finally pursuing hobbies they've put on hold for years. Some want flexibility. Others value security above all else.

That's one of the reasons I love the Moneyagram. It reminds us that our financial decisions are influenced by more than numbers. They're shaped by our personalities, our experiences, and what makes us feel fulfilled.

If that's true throughout your working years, why wouldn't it be true in retirement?

The best retirement plan isn't the one that looks the most impressive on paper. It's the one that supports the life you actually want to live.

That's why I believe financial planning should never be one-size-fits-all. Your goals are unique, your values are unique, and your plan should reflect that.

If you've never explored your Moneyagram type, I'd encourage you to start there. Understanding how you're naturally wired around money is one of the best ways to build a retirement plan that feels authentic to you—not someone else's definition of success.

Visit the link in my bio to discover your Moneyagram type and start building a financial plan that's as unique as you are.

If you live in Michigan, you know it's been one of those weeks.The temperatures have been soaring, the smoke from the Ca...
07/17/2026

If you live in Michigan, you know it's been one of those weeks.

The temperatures have been soaring, the smoke from the Canadian wildfires has made it hard to enjoy being outside, and now there's another headline about an outbreak of Cyclospora.

It can feel like every time you open the news, there's something new to worry about.

The truth is, there will always be things we can't control. The weather. The headlines. The unexpected twists life throws our way.

That's exactly why having a financial plan matters.

My clients can't control what's happening outside their front door any more than anyone else can, but they can feel confident knowing they have a plan for what's happening inside it.

They know where they're headed. They know what they're working toward. And when life throws the unexpected at them, they aren't also wondering whether they're making the right financial decisions.

Financial planning isn't about predicting the future. It's about creating enough clarity and confidence that you can spend less time worrying about your money and more time enjoying your life, even when the world feels a little chaotic.

If your finances have become one more thing keeping you up at night, let's change that. I'd love to help you build a plan that gives you confidence, no matter what the next headline says. DM me to start the conversation!

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