Dare to Change Life Coaching & Mentoring

Tag: financial success

  • 🔥FINANCIAL IGNORANCE IS EXPENSIVE

    🔥FINANCIAL IGNORANCE IS EXPENSIVE

    Money worries and financial stress are “the elephant in a room” for many people right now.

    The official inflation rate, without food and energy, is 3.7% right now….

    So, if you don’t need to eat and don’t need to drive or heat your home, you are fine…. 🙃

    And you don’t need me to tell you that groceries, gas, housing, car prices are much higher now than just a couple of years ago…

    Although the U.S. government spends your tax money without any constraints (U.S. Debt now is over $33.5 Trillion!!), you, the tax payer, are limited with your financial resources.This leads to feeling financial uncertainty….

    While you may be diligently saving up for “someday” retirement – when you can suddenly do the things you want to do – in a meantime, you are not living your life fully… because of financial concerns.

    Even if you save up enough money to retire, by this “someday” you may be too old for adventures, or too tired to learn, or don’t have as much time as you thought…..

    And, unfortunately, your education, your high income in previous years, even your strict budget cannot guarantee you financial success.

    Kelly, a former private client, who was highly educated and was making multiple six figures in business profits, was ridden by financial stress and worries….

    Apparently, having money doesn’t mean you know what to do with it… how to manage it….

    It’s really important to be strategic with you money and to develop winning money strategies, not just another [often] failed budget.

    Budget is a good start because it makes you look at your cash flow “close and personal.

    But it’s not enough‼

    You want to enjoy your life and your money now, while also strategically plan your money for the “golden years.”

    It’s called balancing your financial priorities.

    And Money Mapping protocol – intentional and strategic management of your money according to your short term and long term priorities – is a great tool to win the money game.

    Some of my family members, who used to make more money than me but were not strategic about managing their money, are now HAVE to work (in their 60s) while I became financially free in my early 50s…

    Look… Road to Financial Success is messy.

    There’re no guarantees and no shortcuts.

    However, if you want to enjoy your life now and in the future – learn how to win the money game.

    Start exactly where you are and with what you have, even if it means taking baby steps (e.g. tracking your cash flow).

    “Direction is more important than speed.”

    And speaking of direction…

    The 2024 is just around the corner and you can set yourself up for a successful year by discovering

    ✅ What problems might be causing your money concerns

    ✅ How to fix the money problems

    ✅ How to map your money in a way that you will be balancing all your financial priorities and have more money with less stress and less risk

    If this sounds like something you’d like to discover and you are eager to develop winning money strategies, you’ve got to come to my new “From Worrying To Winning the Money Game” Masterclass.

    Living with constant financial stress and worries is NOT the way to live a happy and healthy life.

    As I’m sure you know, financial stress affects EVERY aspect of your life – your health, relationships, self-confidence, self-image.…

    Fortunately, money stress is one of few things you can control.

    Please note: I have no idea when (if at all) I’ll be guiding this Masterclass again…

    But this time you can receive a GIFT to attend this powerful training (retail ticket value is $297), so that you don’t have to worry about investing money to participate in it.

    Bottom Line:

    Do NOT normalize living with financial stress!

    It is possible to feel good when you think about your money.

    And that’s my intention for you.

    What’s yours?Millen 💕

    P.S. The link to register for this Masterclass is in the comments.

  • How to Overcome Fear of Investing

    How to Overcome Fear of Investing

    As you may know, I believe that developing a wealth mindset and understanding the metaphysical laws of money and abundance are the essential elements of creating Financial Independence. 

    However, being savvy about managing and investing your money is another essential aspect of creating Financial Independence.

    If you don’t save and don’t invest your money strategically, no matter how much you may be earning right now, it’s unlikely that you’ll enjoy financial independence or have a comfortable early retirement.

    Unfortunately, many women are afraid of investing because they are afraid to lose money… 

    And when they hear confusing advise (like “You should diversify!” and “NO! Don’t diversify!”) – they resign to doing nothing (and lose time and opportunities) OR choose to delegate managing their money to advisors, spouses, or partners…and often lose even more money.

    That’s why, today, I chose to share this short video with you. 

    Now, I have a question for you.

    What would your life be like if you could do what you want, buy what you want, have the amazing experiences you want…without worrying about money?

    And if you’re ready to trade worries about money for complete freedom, why not get started now? 

    I’ve opened up a few slots for my PRIVATE Complimentary “Financial Freedom Lifestyle” sessions, where you can see your worry-free future unfolding in front of you.

    Sound exciting? 

    Great! 

    Send me an email to Millen@DareToChangeLife.com with the subject line Financial Freedom Lifestyle, describe your current situation, financial goals and timeframes, and your level of commitment to your goals (on a scale of 1-10).

    I look forward to hearing from you! 

    To your Health, Wealth, and Freedom!

  • There Are Two Categories of Women. Which One Do You Put Yourself In?

    There Are Two Categories of Women. Which One Do You Put Yourself In?

    Do you feel like time flies faster and faster, or it’s just me?

    Is it my age or the age we live in? Or both? LOL

    I’m spending my last week at a healing facility in the French Alps.
    I enjoy taking the time to nourish my body with different thermal baths, thermal mud treatments, and hydro-massages.

    And each Sunday, I visited local attractions – castles, beautiful parks, lakes, and small cities.

    I meditate a lot here…

    And every moment, I feel SO infinitely grateful for the life I have created…my beautiful daughter, loving husband, amazing clients, incredible adventures and travels….
    FREEDOM of time and choices.

    So, what occurred to me may sound somewhat controversial, but hear me out….

    What occurred to me is that there’re two kinds of women in the world:

    1. Women who spend their whole lives working to make money.

    AND

    2. Women who enjoy FREEDOM in their lives because they figured out how to make their money work for them.

    Would you agree?

    Those women in the first category often make a good living – have high-paying jobs or run profitable businesses – yet they still don’t have the FREEDOM and INDEPENDENCE that they crave so deeply.

    While the women in the second category have learned how to think, plan, and act strategically with their money. And voila…they can choose when and how much (or how little) to work, who to spend time with, where to live, how to be….etc

    So, which category do you think are in? First, second, or somewhere in between?

    The good news is that it’s a simple transformation to get from the first to the second category.

    It may not be easy, but it is simple. Unfortunately, we don’t learn this at school.

    If you have young kids, they observe your choices and life experiences and unconsciously repeat them, just like you probably got programmed by observing your parents. You don’t need me to tell you how important it is to model “good money habits” for children.

    So, if you happen to be in the first category, are you going to wait for the pandemic to be over to start planning your desired financial future? Or for the economic condition to improve, for getting married or for your partner to be more supportive, or making more money at your job or business?

    How many more years are you willing to wait before you start creating your Financial Independence so that YOU, too, enjoy more freedom in your life?

    Ask yourself these questions.

    After all, none of us are getting any younger….

    Let me know what you think about my controversial “download.”

    To your Health, Wealth, and Freedom!

    P.S. Sometimes tough times are what call us to grow. And to step into things we normally wouldn’t be “ready” for.

    If you crave more FREEDOM in YOUR life, you may want to connect with me ASAP.

    I want to help you identify YOUR fastest path to Financial Independence. 

    Email to Millen@DareToChangeLife.com with the Subject Line “I want Financial Independence” and we’ll schedule a complimentary call.

  • Your Big Badass Dream Plane & THREE Levers to Upgrade Your Financial Life

    Your Big Badass Dream Plane & THREE Levers to Upgrade Your Financial Life

    What would it take for you to feel wealthy?

    How many millions?

    Or maybe just having “more than enough”?How many homes/yachts/planes?Or maybe just having more choices?How many children/husbands/lovers? (OK, this topic is for anothertime/place… LOL)Or maybe just having more free time, working less?Obviously, being wealthy means different things to different people…And it’s great to have Audacious BIG Badass Dreams.And my question to you is: “Are you actually ready to bring your currentfinances into harmony with your BIG Badass Dreams?”Because dreaming BIG is great! However, in order to take this BIG BadassDream plane off the ground, you’ve got to get very clear about it (is it REALLYworth the efforts?), then map your way forward and learn to pilot it, so youcreate the momentum.Because if you don’t… well, let’s stay positive here.So, what is your “BIG Badass Dream” plane?What do you REALLY want for yourself and your loved ones?

    Can you describe it as if you were living it in the present moment?What do you do, what do you feel and see, where do you live, who are youwith?Make time and space for yourself to “normalize” your Big Badass Dream –make it SO NORMAL that you start embodying this dream!Then you can get to map your way forward.How do you map your way forward?By mapping your money according to your desired level of financial fitnessand using three cash flow levers to accomplish your desired results.Money Mapping is about discerning what’s REALLY important to you in life(and this may change as you go through different phases in life) and thendesigning your lifestyle so that it supports your values and your BIG dream.Money Mapping is Budgeting 2.0, because it’s NOT just about counting everypenny you spend on groceries. That’s tedious and unnecessary for mostpeople.Money Mapping is about you focusing on your BIG Badass Dream, translating itinto numbers, then reverse-engineering it into the money map so that yourlifestyle and choices are coherent with your goals.In my programs, I talk about 4 stages of Financial Fitness:1. Less than enough2. Just enough3. More than enough4. AffluenceYOU DECIDE what financial fitness level is next for you. THAT will determineyour spending patterns, your saving patterns and your investing patterns.That’s what the money mapping is for.

    My clients come to me at different levels of financial fitness spectrum and withvery different ambitions. And they ALL evolve to much higher but differentfinancial fitness levels. Because they have different definitions of “wealth.”That’s why I asked you at the beginning “What would it take for you to feelwealthy?” Your answer will determine your specific money map.In other words, your answer to this question (which only YOU know theanswer to), will guide your choices and financial decisions.For example, you may have a BASIC money map (to track your money, youcan use an Excel spreadsheet or an app) that reflects just basic needs(groceries, rent, utilities) and paying off debt. This may support a simplelifestyle, living debt-free, in a rural area, and have less pressure…Then you can create another COMFORTABLE money map that will includesome comfort items like massage, mani & padi, trips, restaurants, privatecoaching, etc.Finally, you can create another AFFLUENT money map that will cover allyour intentions and desires – from millions in the bank, to having a personalchef, jet-setting to French Riviera, and having vacation homes in resort-likelocations.Having these money maps will help you “land” your BIG BADASS DREAMplane with concrete numbers that will back it up, support your desired lifestyle.Finally, the time for the HOW question. What levers do you have to controlyour cash flow and upgrade your financial fitness?I invite you to consider these THREE levers to control your cash flow:1. Income2. Budget (pattern of spending)3. DebtAnd here are THREE ways that you can use to improve your cash flow:1. Identify your current ‘financial leaks” and make necessary adjustments.2. Brainstorm and uncover additional long-term sources of in-coming cash.3. Brainstorm and uncover immediate prospects for incoming cash flow.In summary: You Big Badass Dream can be your reality. Being FinancialIndependent is NOT a pipe dream. You’ve got to get your money map inplace, get strategic about your choices and get this plane onto the runway,ready to take off.

    With love, health and wealth

    P.S. If you feel sick and tired of being restricted by money, feeling worryingabout your retirement, anxious about investing – let’s connect! Here’s the linkto schedule a complimentary Money Breakthrough session with Millen.What do you have to lose? Fear, money anxiety, indecisiveness. What youcan gain? Clarity, direction, specific strategies and concrete steps to moveforward.

  • 7 Steps to Regain Control Over Your Money: Step #6 – Shop Smart

    7 Steps to Regain Control Over Your Money: Step #6 – Shop Smart

    Women shop differently than men. In general, women tend to love shopping and many see it as an entertaining activity. They are more likely to make impulsive purchases and often take advantage of special offers.

    Men mostly buy just what they need right now – they go with a clear idea of what they are looking for and try to spend as little time as possible.

    Can you relate?

    In order to spend less and save more, especially as a woman, you’ve got to become a savvy shopper. It’s not difficult. And the tips that I’m going to share with you here will help you buy what you need, spend less and save more. That’s what I call smart shopping.  

    You can save substantial amounts of cash when you become intentional shopper as opposed to emotional shopper.  

    Ready?  

    Here are EIGHT TIPS for SAVVY SHOPPING:

    1. Plan your purchases in advance

    Plan your purchase. Pause and get really clear about: Why do you need it? Where will you put it? What will you use it for? Who will use it?

    If you don’t have compelling answers to these questions you will realize that you don’t really need to buy it at this time.

    If you feel strong about your decision to buy the item, plan the day to go shopping and enjoy the fact that you made an intentional decision to buy it, not an impulsive one.

    2. Have a budget for your purchase

    Have an approximate amount that you intend to spend on this purchase. This will help you be intentional about the amount you’re willing to pay and not get carried away with whatever price you see on the label.

    Does it require some financial discipline? Yes. And it’s a good habit to have if you want to be a Wealth Builder instead of Wealth Consumer.

    3. Pay in full (cash or debit card)

    When you are in a store and you see something that you really want or need, it’s easy to pull out a credit card and pay whatever the price may be.

    However, if you are using cash or a debit card to purchase the item, you’ll have more awareness about the price that you’re about to pay because your amount is limited by the cash in your wallet or by the amount in your bank account.

    4. Buy older iterations of products  

    Retail price of the latest version of a product is always higher than the previous years’ model, whether it’s a phone, a TV or a car.While the newer version may have more features, you’re paying a premium price for these new features if you buy the product on release-day.

    The same model will be priced significantly lower in just a year or two, so waiting a little longer can be quite lucrative. You may save hundreds or even thousands when you weigh the benefits of saving money on buying a good, but not the latest model of the product.

    5. Shop for clothing during the end-season

    You like to look like a “million bucks”? Great! And it doesn’t have to cost you that much! You can find significant markdowns on clothing prices—50% or more—during the end of the season for clothes. 

    Retailers cut prices to get rid of things that are going out of season. It may worth your money to wait a few months to buy clothes you like at prices your wallet will love!

    6. Don’t be fooled by marketing

    Stores are designed to entice you to spend money. Their strategies are subtle and effective. 

    Most use different lighting effects, colors, music, and items displayed in a certain way to entice you into buying more than you intended to when you came to the store. The same applies to online shopping – additional items are suggested to you when you buy anything.

    Don’t fall for any of it. Be clear about what you came to the store to buy so you won’t get dazzled into overspending or buying something you didn’t plan for.

    Buy quality items that are offered at discounted price but only if you need and want them, not simply because of the decreased price.

    Finally, remember that sales people are trained to make you buy! It’s a good idea to ask questions about products, but don’t let them persuade you into buying it there and then. Take your time to make measured decisions.

    7. Negotiate

    Very few people realize that you can negotiate many products’ prices with a seller!

    Let’s say, you have decided on an item you want. You have found the best price, you chose your timing right, and you are ready to pay for it.

    But wait! Always ask for “the best possible price” wherever you are or whatever you are buying. What is the worst that can happen?

    Sometimes when the seller cannot offer any additional discount on the product, you may get a discount on a service or another item that you need to buy too! Negotiation is a great skill that you can develop and practice when you shop!

    8. Be mindful of timing when you travel

    Prices on hotels, vacation rentals, airfare, and even rental cars are often much higher during certain days of the week, school and college breaks, and national holidays.

    The travel industry knows that most people like to leave for vacation on Fridays and come back on Sundays. That’s why these days the prices on airfare, vacation rentals and hotels are higher.  

    Be smart and adjust your travel timeline so that you get a better deal. Shop around for plane tickets to fly out on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday to take advantage of lower prices.  

    Also, the plane tickets usually cost less when bought in advance – plan your air travel in advance. Do price comparison for your favorite travel destinations to reduce your travel expenses further.

    The Bottom Line: From shopping for groceries to shopping for a weekend getaway, spending money is a “side effect” of shopping (Get savvy about it!

    Next time you’re browsing in a store or online, think about these 8 tips to be a savvy shopper.

    To your Health, Wealth and Freedom!

    P.S. Have you registered yet for my brand new training – Unpack Your Debt?

    This is a 5-day LIVE bootcamp where I’ll share the TRUTH about DEBT and show you the WAY OUT. 

    You can access this LIVE training FREE if you register before February 25th! Click HERE to Register NOW 

  • 7 Steps to Regain Control Over Your Money: Step #5 – Pay Yourself First

    7 Steps to Regain Control Over Your Money: Step #5 – Pay Yourself First

    In step #4 we talked about tracking your money, remember?

    If you don’t know where your money goes, if you don’t have ANY mechanism (call it budget, call it a money tracker, call it whatever) – you don’t have control over your money. Money controls you!

    You may feel that you have to make more and more money to live.

    Yes?

    What if you could spend less so you won’t need to work more to make more?

    And if you feel that you’ve already trimmed your budget to the bare minimum, then it’s possible that it’s time to look for an additional source of income.

    Ok, that was a quick reminder of key #4 – Track Your Money

    Now the next, step #5, is to Pay Yourself First.

    There’re THREE Aspects in this step:

    1. Pay Yourself First

    So, once you figure out how you can better control your optional spending, your unnecessary expenses (your “wants”), the next important money habit to develop is to pay yourself before you pay anyone else!

    For many people, a good way to start saving regularly is to have a small amount transferred automatically from paycheck to a savings account.

    In other words, have some savings automatically set aside!

    If you don’t see it, you don’t miss it.

    How much can you set aside?

    The common suggestion is between 5 and 10 percent of your gross annual income.

    Of course, this can be much harder than it sounds.

    So, if you’re currently living paycheck to paycheck without clear opportunity to increase your income in the near future, begin by paying yourself with WHAT YOU CAN now. It could be one percent of your income, or $20, $50, $100.

    ANYTHING is better than nothing. Train yourself to allocate consistent contributions toward your savings. That’s the goal here.

    The next question: what is the purpose of these savings?

    Here are a couple of suggestions:

    2. Maintain an Emergency or “Peace of Mind Fund”

    Before you commit your newfound savings to ANY investments (ALL investments involve risk), make sure you have at least three to six months’ worth of your lifestyle expenses saved in an emergency (aka peace of mind) fund.

    Life happens to all of us; cars need repairs, houses need maintenance, medical emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances.

    Keeping your emergency fund liquid will ensure that you don’t have to panic and sell your investments when their prices are down, and guarantees that you can always get to your money quickly.

    If you have trouble deciding how much you need to keep on hand, begin by considering the standard expenses you have in a month.

    If you have dependents (e.g. kids, parents, etc.), you’ll want to keep more money in your emergency fund to offset the greater risk.

    Once you fill your emergency fund, you can redirect money to your investments.

    3. Give yourself an allowance

    Here’s the fun part. Once you get to the point that your basic expenses and savings needs are met, you can decide how much money you want to spend guilt-free on anything you want (like shopping, eating out or entertainment).

    You and your spouse can have that amount in cash each month but when the money runs out, it’s gone until the following month.

    Anything you don’t spend can be carried over.

    This may add some fun and money flexibility into your relationship because neither of you can question how the other spends their allowance.

    Leave a comment and let me know what resonated with you and what you want to implement into your life right away.

    To your Health, Wealth, and Freedom!

    For more resources on various financial topics, check this page on my website:

    WORK WITH MILLEN

    For additional real-time support, join my private Facebook group:

    WEALTH BUILDING FOR POWERFUL WOMEN

    Free Resources:

    DOWNLOAD MY FREE WEALTH PLANNER