Blog Category

Jeff and Mary came into my office. They had filled out a Personal Overview and had brought with them much of the paperwork needed to make a mortgage application. We spent about an hour together and after careful consideration (along with some pecking on the calculator) it became clear that they could just qualify for a starter home.

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Most of us, when pressed to really talk about our personal finances, must admit that there are some things we wish were different, some ways we feel a bit financially-schizophrenic. It is normal. And it is a sign of health when we can admit these internal tensions.

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“Mortgage. Yikes! It is hard to imagine looking at my credit report and seeing a six-figure line item. That is six-figures that I need to pay back. Sure I have had school loans in the thousands and some credit card debt but this, this is something totally different. Is mortgage debt good?”

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Working in the realm of financial and personal health and being so passionate about helping our community live with balance and hope, it is important that we stay up on the many popular financial systems on the market today. If it’s in print, chances are one of us has read it. And yes, a one-size-fits-all financial process can be very effective. (Read more…)

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Psychology 101 tells us that we do nothing in isolation. Our choices are linked to our life, family, wounds, joys, disappointments. This is even truer when it comes to the patterns we witness in our lives. (read more…)

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Your life is a beautiful, complicated and epic narrative, no less important and complex than the great novels of human history. Unfortunately though, a bank does not have the capacity (or the interest) to explore your multi-chaptered journey. A bank, in truth, reaches into your novel and rips out a single page. They rip it out efficiently and dispassionately. (read more…)

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I was enjoying coffee this morning with an old friend. The conversation was sauntering along with my friend abruptly stopped me in mid sentence. She straightened up and her eyes were bright and she said, “There is something I have wanted to talk to you about. I have been doing some personal reflection and… well… I don’t really know where all my money is going. I also don’t know why I am not paying off my debt. Could you help me?” (read more…)

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It is apparent that a tremendous need exists in our community. We are receiving more and more requests for assistance to navigate financial decisions. Clients and new referrals are coming in for general consulting on what they need to do, whether or not they have experienced major changes in their financial picture.

As a service to our wider community, we want to make sure everyone knows that we are available for an introductory consulting session to help you decide what your next step is. In addition, we have built out a number of components to specifically address financial issues for those who need more extensive coaching.

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We live in tricky times. There is no denying that our current economic environment offers hurdles (and opportunities). The combination of the slowed housing market (Portland has flatlined and in some areas homes have lost value) coupled with the credit crunch, has infused fear into the American population.

Insecurity and fear are often cured by self-examination and intentional living.

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