Koru Financial Coaching

05/20/2026

We’re nearly halfway through 2026 already.

Can you believe it?!

How are you doing with those financial goals you set January 1?

Are you plugging along?

Maybe you’ve lost momentum.

That’s ok.

If you are tired of doing it alone, why not work with a coach?

Financial coaches are trained to help people like you make progress on their personal finance goals.

They empower people just like you everyday so the going doesn’t feel quite so hard.

Curious, but still have questions?

Shoot me a message or book a free money strategy session to get all your questions answered.

https://calendly.com/cassieshebloski2/1-hour-money-management-strategy-session

05/14/2026

Most people want change.

Better finances.
Better health.
Better relationships.
Better careers.
More freedom.
More peace.

But wanting change and taking ownership are two different things.

Because ownership requires us to stop asking:“Why is this happening to me?” and start asking: “What am I going to do about it?”

That’s where agency begins.

The truth is, as long as someone else is responsible for your life, you will always wait for someone else to fix it.

If your boss is the reason you’re stuck…
If the economy is the reason…
If your upbringing is the reason…
If everyone else holds the power…

then what can you actually do?

Nothing.

And that mindset keeps people trapped for years.

The people who move forward are not always the smartest or most talented.

They are the people who decide to take responsibility for their choices, habits, mindset, and direction.

They stop waiting for the right time.
They stop blaming.
They stop making excuses for why they haven’t started.

And they begin building the life they keep talking about.

Ownership is uncomfortable because it forces honesty.

But it’s also freeing.

Because the moment you take responsibility for your future is the moment you regain the power to change it.

05/12/2026

Another surprising financial statistic:

Higher-income households are now among the most likely to use Buy Now, Pay Later services like Klarna, Affirm, and AfterPay.

At first glance, that sounds backwards.

Most people assume these apps are used primarily by lower-income households because they don’t have enough cash available.

And, yes, some families absolutely are using them out of necessity, especially with rising grocery, housing, and everyday living costs.

But recent data shows households earning $100,000-$150,000 per year are actually some of the heaviest users of Buy Now, Pay Later financing.

And, in case you are wondering, the age range for that high income earning category of BNPL users is 16-24 years old.

Why is it “high income earners” are most likely to use these apps?

Because financial stress is not always an income problem.

Sometimes it’s a margin problem.

As income rises, lifestyles often rise too:
• Bigger homes
• Higher car payments
• More subscriptions
• Travel
• Shopping habits that feel “manageable”
because the payments are split up

And that’s exactly why Buy Now, Pay Later has become so popular.

It makes purchases feel smaller.

$800 sounds expensive.

“4 payments of $200” feels easier to justify.

That’s the psychology behind it.

The danger is that eventually all those small payments start stacking on top of each other:

• One for clothes
• One for electronics
• One for furniture
• One for groceries
• One for vacation spending

Before long, future income is already committed before the paycheck even arrives.

And that’s how high-income earners can still end up feeling financially stuck.

This isn’t about shame.

It’s about awareness.

Because financial peace does not come from finding better payment plans.

It comes from creating margin, reducing debt, and learning to spend intentionally.

If you can’t comfortably pay for something today, financing it in smaller pieces usually doesn’t make it more affordable.

It just delays the financial pressure.

What are your thoughts on this? I’d love to hear them.

 Sources:

Morgan Stanley BNPL Report:
https://www.morganstanley.com/insights/articles/buy-now-pay-later-trends-2025

CFPB Research on BNPL Usage:
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-research-reveals-heavy-buy-now-pay-later-use-among-borrowers-with-high-credit-balances-and-multiple-pay-in-four-loans/


The CFPB released a study finding one fifth of consumers used Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) loans in 2022, and many held simultaneous loans from multiple lenders.

05/09/2026

One of the most surprising financial statistics right now:

Nearly half of Americans earning over $100,000 per year say they are living paycheck to paycheck.

Not struggling.
Not unemployed.
Not low income.
Six figures.

And according to recent reporting from PYMNTS Intelligence, 48% of Americans making more than $100,000 annually still feel stuck in the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle.

Bank of America has also reported that nearly half of Americans overall feel financially stretched month to month.

Most people hear that and think:

“How is that possible?”

Because we tend to assume income automatically creates financial peace.

But income and financial stability are not the same thing.

As income rises, expenses often rise too:

• Larger homes
• Newer vehicles
• More subscriptions
• Child activities
• Dining out
• Convenience spending
• Debt payments
• Lifestyle upgrades that slowly become “normal”

This is what’s often called lifestyle creep.
And it happens quietly.

A higher paycheck can disappear just as quickly when there’s no intentional plan for the money coming in.

To be fair, many families are dealing with real pressure from inflation, insurance costs, housing, groceries, and everyday expenses. Those challenges are real.

But this statistic also reveals something deeper:

Financial peace is not determined solely by how much you make.

It’s determined by what you do with what you make.

A six-figure income without a plan can still feel stressful.

A modest income with a plan can create stability, margin, and peace.

That’s why budgeting matters.

Not because you’re failing.

Not because you “can’t handle money.”

But because every dollar needs direction.

A budget is simply a plan that puts you back in control of your money instead of wondering where it all went.

The goal isn’t just earning more.
The goal is freedom.
Margin.
Ownership.
And building a future on purpose.

If you’ve ever looked at your income and wondered, “Where is it all going?” — you’re not alone.

Sometimes the issue isn’t income.

It’s simply needing a plan.

And that’s something you can change.

If you are ready to take control of your money, comment “Peace” below.

05/05/2026

5 Easy Ways to Save at the Pump

We are all feeling the pain at the pump these days with gasoline prices over $5 a gallon in some areas.

However, there are a number of ways you can take action to reduce your monthly gasoline bill and some you can combine for even greater savings.

1. Download a free fuel savings app such as GasBuddy or Upside. I’ve used GasBuddy for years and it saves me anywhere from 2 cents to 20 cents a gallon.

2. Take advantage of fuel point programs at your local grocery store such as Meijer or Kroger
These points can be combined with fuel savings apps

3. If you have a club membership at Sam's Club or Costco, fill up there. The lines may be long but the gas is often significantly cheaper than anywhere else

4. Use your cruise control whenever you safely can. Doing so reduces fluctuations in or excessive speed that burn more fuel. This is a great one for those who regularly drive long stretches of highway. Not so helpful if most of your driving is done in a city.

5. Make sure you are getting regular oil changes. Although it’s tempting to stretch out the time between oil changes to “save money”, doing so can cause you to burn more fuel. A properly maintained vehicle will use the fuel you do spend your hard earned money on in a more efficient manner.

What’s your favorite way to save at the pump?

*I have no affiliation with any of the companies referenced*

04/15/2026

It’s Tax Day.

If today feels stressful, you’re not alone.

But here’s the truth most people don’t talk about:

Your financial life (and future) isn’t decided in a single day.

It’s shaped in the habits you build, the awareness you grow, and the decisions you make moving forward.

Today is just a checkpoint—not your story.

04/05/2026

The tomb is empty.

He is risen!

03/12/2026

Tax Time Continued.

Does the thought of filing & paying your taxes

1. Fill you with anxiety or

2. It’s a hassle to gather up documents to turn/enter in but it doesn’t fill you with dread

3. You are prepared & ready every year and it’s a breeze