money

The Ritual of Enough: Finding Peace With What You Have While Building More

There’s a fine line between peace and complacency. When it comes to money, complacency is unacceptable. Let’s talk about how to find the peace you desire while you build your income to the levels you deserve and require.

The world will tell you that you shouldn’t be at peace until you are extremely wealthy. And that’s a problem, because the space between where you are and where you’re told you should be is massive. However, instead of chasing wealth, there is another path that is more restorative, impactful, and full of ease. In a world that imposes feelings of inadequacy, try the act of pausing to appreciate what you already have. It’s not only radical, but it’s also the first step to sustainable wealth and happy expansion. The Ritual of Enough is not about settling—it’s about stabilizing your energy and your finances, so you can embrace growth easily.

You may think that enjoying “enough” is a direct path to stagnancy, scarcity and lack. In actuality, embracing the fact that you have “enough” does the opposite: it opens the doors for more abundance to come in. One of the most powerful emotions you can leverage is gratitude, and by ritualizing gratitude and sufficiency, you can increase your capacity for wealth. It’s similar to this phrase that you may have heard before, “If you want something done, ask the busiest person you know to do it”. At the heart of it, gratitude shows that you can handle and appreciate you already have, and you have capacity for more. You cannot add to your abundance if you struggle with – and do not appreciate – your current possessions and financial status. You must feel true peace with where you are before you can allow more into your life.

An anecdotal example that came to mind is a podcast episode I heard several years ago, and the host (a law of attraction coach) discussed how she had a client that wanted more abundance and who struggled with maintaining positive emotions. The coach encouraged the client to count whatever she had in abundance: if I recall correctly, the client ended up counting her socks. The coach instructed her to appreciate those socks and to reflect on her abundance any time her faith wavered. Of course, the client ended up manifesting some amazing opportunities and financial windfalls. However, aside from that, I can discuss my own anecdotal but relevant experience. I recently went deep into my appreciation practices: I expressed genuine satisfaction with my current circumstances and embraced the beauty of my life as it is. It was a matter of days before I received $750 unexpectedly from two different sources, neither of which had generated significant income in several years.

Coincidence? Perhaps. But it certainly didn’t hurt to be appreciative, and it allowed me to enjoy the unexpected cash without feeling frustrated because it “wasn’t enough” for all of my future plans. Because I already felt things were “enough”, I could simply spend the funds on what mattered to me at the time, without feeling guilt or frustration.

One of the crucial things about embracing gratitude and making peace with your finances is how it anchors your nervous system. Instead of being edgy or tense when it comes to money, gratitude helps you to calm down and, from that space, you can create better solutions and more aligned long- and short- term plans. By anchoring your nervous system, you become primed for aligned abundance. You open yourself up to receive the money that comes with ease instead of stress, joy instead of frustration.

You can practice embracing “enough” by keeping a gratitude journal, listening to “enough” meditations, or affirming your peace and contentment. You can do this whenever you’re feeling anxious about money or dissatisfied with your finances. While practicing your appreciation, you don’t have to completely disregard your dissatisfaction: let those emotions inform you but not control you. Once you have expressed genuine appreciation for your current state and feel yourself anchored and stable, you can hold space for and entertain the reality you prefer. And that is where the real magic happens: the reality you envision from this healthy and calm mindset is going to be drastically different from what you’d imagine from your stressed and unappreciative state. It’s going to feel better, more aligned, and more possible than anything that you may have visioned when you were in the throes of frustration.

I have more instances of gratitude being the fuel for massive expansion, and I encourage anyone that’s interested to check out books on the topic (like Thank & Grow Rich, The Neuroscience of Gratitude, and The Power of Appreciation) for more guidance.

Thanks for stopping by, and let me know if you’ve used gratitude and embracing “enough” to find peace with your finances as you build the future of your dreams!

From Chaos to Calm: Creating a Budget That Feels Like a Sanctuary

For this discussion about money, I figure we can just rip the bandage off and start with the most triggering term of them all.

BUDGET.

Whenever I mention the word “budget” to someone, I can usually see them tense up and look a bit uncomfortable. I can understand why they have that reaction: after all, a budget establishes boundaries and restrictions, and most people recoil at anything that looks like constriction. What I’ve found, upon further discussion, is that people aren’t actually afraid of budgeting, nor are they afraid of money: they’re afraid of what a budget (and money) means in their lives. This area of their lives is often where fears of failure and shame crop up, and THAT’s why they flinch when budgets are discussed. No one wants to fail at budgeting or feel embarrassed when discussing financial missteps.

But . . . what if we could view budgeting from a different perspective? How about if we viewed budgeting as something other than a harsh framework for spending and saving money? What if . . . we could build budgets centered around care instead of control? It’s not only possible to have a budget you are comfortable with, it is possible to have a budget you (believe it or not) enjoy.

Let’s think of some words that are often used to describe budgets. Structured, contained, and orderly come to mind. You know what else shares those same descriptors? The home. Interestingly, we can apply those descriptors to a happy home just as easily as we can apply them to an unhappy one. So let’s take those words, and apply them to a budget. Much like a good home offers us a structured and orderly space that has contains us, our loved ones and our belongings, a budget can offer our finances a structured and orderly space that contains our needs, wants, and great goals. Our budget shouldn’t be a prison for our money: it should be a sanctuary.

You can make your budget a sanctuary by blending practical approaches with soulful rituals. Working with a budget is much more delightful when it has been infused with self-honoring and peaceful practices that soothe the nervous system, create feelings of safety and shifts your mindset from judgment to respectful observance. So, before you sit down with your accounts and start crunching numbers, think of a couple of sensory pleasures that you can indulge before, during, and after reviewing your finances. Perhaps you can make a delicious smoothie that you can sip as you review, or you can light a scented candle that relaxes you or that brings up happy feelings, or you can even make it a practice to work on your budget after you’ve enjoyed some time in your favorite massage chair or after you’ve done a yoga session. Whatever makes you feel relaxed and stable is great for incorporating into your budget practice.

More importantly, speak kindly of yourself and your financial decisions as you review the figures. Remember that you are a respectful observer of your past financial choices: you aren’t judging yourself, you’re simply noting the pattern and perhaps digging a little deeper to figure out the motive behind the decisions. Don’t speak harshly about the past decisions you’ve made: thank those decisions for the lessons they’ve provided, then commit to make future decisions that are aligned with the person you’re becoming. Remember to bless the decisions you made (yes, even the ones that you aren’t happy with!) and, if you struggle with them, come up with at least three positive things about previous money decisions. You can do this for anything, I promise!

As an example, perhaps you enjoy eating takeout (I know I do!) but you don’t enjoy how much money you’ve spent in the past quarter. Bless those decisions and move on, and if you can’t, list those three positive reasons for buying lots of takeout. I’d probably write down how buying takeout made it easier for me to eat a more balanced meal than what I had prepared in my home, how amazing it was to purchase a meal that supports a local business that employees people in your neighborhood, and how much energy I saved by outsourcing meal preparation to someone else. There is ALWAYS a silver lining, and if you struggle with this, you can either comment below or email me at tia@tiadelano.com so I can help you with that.

Embrace self love as you start budgeting, and view every decision as a loving act toward your future self. Treat your budget time as a sacred occasion that allows you to adjust your patterns to reflect the person you’re becoming and the life you want to live. Finally, allow your budget to be an entity with its own personality, something that you can befriend as you step onto the path to the financial reality you desire. With these things in mind, you’ll be able to structure a budget that feels like a sanctuary: it will be a peaceful refuge that you’ll enjoy retreating to.

How do you feel about budgeting? Let me know your thoughts and experiences below!

The Solstice Is Here. Who Are You Becoming?

At the height of the sun’s power—when the world ripens and the light lingers—we arrive at a threshold: the Summer Solstice. I make no bones about it: this is my absolute favorite time of year. I love it so much, I even created an entire event around it (and if you missed the event, please go to my Facebook page and catch the replay while it’s available).

For me, the official arrival of summer isn’t just a seasonal event. It’s an invitation.

This time of year, we are all invited to soak in the sun, appreciate the longer periods of daylight, and revel in the heights of dynamic energy. As we take this time to feel emboldened to show up as our fullest selves, I also encourage you to pause for a moment, reflect, and ask one of the most sacred questions you can ask:

Who am I becoming?

In a world obsessed with doing, the Solstice is about being. Our emboldened selves should be embodied selves: inhabiting and fully expressing our truest form. Our goal should be to align with our naturally radiant nature and boldly seize opportunities in these advantageous times.

The Light Outside Reflects the Light Within

One thing I know to be true is that life moves in sacred rhythm—season to season, breath to breath.
And as nature bursts into full bloom, so too can we. Because this season is full of explosive energy, it’s easy to fall into the traps of chaotic behavior and overcommitment. It serves us well to expand, but with discernment, and to radiate brightly, but with refinement. My summer mantra is, “Radiate and Refine”. I intend to make sure that my inner light matches the outer light that we’ll enjoy this season.

The Light of Clarity: Financial Wellness at the Solstice

The Solstice isn’t only a time to reflect on your inner growth (though I highly encourage it). It’s also an opportunity to illuminate the systems and structures that support your outer stability—especially your relationship with money. This season offers an opportunity to shine a light on everything that underlies your financial wellness.

I sincerely believe that financial clarity is a form of self-respect and sacred structure is an act of sovereignty. The emboldened and embodied person I aspire to be in this season requires examination of the supporting systems that allow me to radiate publicly and refine privately.

I’ve asked myself the following questions, and I invite you to also ask yourself:

  • Does my financial system reflect my values or my overwhelm?
  • Are my taxes a tool for peace—or a source of avoidance?
  • Have I created space for sacred earning, conscious spending, and purposeful preparation?

The midpoint of the year is the perfect moment to review tax strategies, assess income streams, and refine financial systems with intention. Just as the earth balances light and shadow, so too can we balance structure and softness.

Try this Solstice Financial Alignment Ritual:

  1. Review your year-to-date income + expenses. Don’t judge. Just witness. Observing without judgment creates an energy that invites solutions and improvements that are rooted in aligned, expansive behavior (as opposed to fixes rooted in scarcity and fear).
  2. Write down three financial intentions for the remainder of the year. These should bring a smile to your face, even if you have no idea how they will materialize.
  3. Bless your numbers. Literally. Whisper: “These numbers reflect my evolution. I hold them with grace.” This gives you energetic permission to invite even better financial circumstances into your world.
  4. Set one sacred tax action—such as checking your estimated payments, scheduling a bookkeeping day, or exploring deductions that align with your values. Make it special: light a beautiful candle before you do it, wear something that makes you feel incredible as you take the action, or celebrate after taking the action with a lovely meal. Make it a beautiful moment.

Solstice Reflection Prompts

Use the Solstice as a ceremonial pause. It’s a golden checkpoint in your journey, and a perfect time to couple your inner radiance with the outer glow of the season.

Light a candle. Pour a cup of herbal tea. Consider journaling on the following:

  • What part of me is asking to be seen more clearly?
  • What habits, relationships, or rhythms no longer support the version of me I’m becoming? (This can apply to both you as an individual as well as your financial choices)
  • Where in my life am I being called to soften—and where am I being called to rise?

You do not need to reinvent yourself. In fact, reinvention implies that who you are is somehow deficient or broken. Nothing could be further from the truth. However, you do need to return to yourself. Who you are, at your core, is beckoning. It’s time to answer. The Solstice helps you do exactly that.

Solstice Ritual (Aureum Sanctum Style)

If you’re finding it a little difficult to get into the energy of the season, you may just need to employ some props and activities. Here’s a simple, sacred Solstice ritual to try:

1. Dress in Light

Wear something soft, luminous, or white. Adorn your body beautifully.

2. Create a Radiance Bowl

Place warm water in a bowl and add:

  • Fresh herbs (mint, basil, or lemon balm)
  • Citrus slices (orange or lemon)
  • A drizzle of olive oil (for softening)

Only use ingredients that you are not allergic to. Dip your already-clean hands or feet in the bowl and say aloud:

“I am returning to my own light. I am safe to radiate.” Rub the water into the skin and allow it to absorb. Add a little more olive oil afterward, to lock in the moisture.

3. Speak Your Becoming

Finish the sentence:

“This Solstice, I step into the version of me who…”
Write it. Speak it. Feel it.

Let this statement be your energetic blueprint for the rest of this season and for the seasons to follow.

You Are the Light You’ve Been Waiting For

Solstice energy is dynamic, but it isn’t the time to chase goals frantically. This is the time to align your outer experiences with your inner knowing. It’s time to embrace blooming without burnout. This is the time to become who you were always meant to be.

So ask yourself with curiosity, openness, and devotion:
Who am I becoming?
And let your rituals, your rhythms, your refinement lead the way.

I’m with you, I believe in you, and I hold the vision of your success, in every solstice, in every season, and at every step.

The Rituals of Regulation: The Foundation of Sustainable Success

We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with advice about hustling harder and pushing through limitations. This “grind until you collapse” mindset has created more burnout than success, and many people struggle to reconcile their desire for better finances and their physical limitations. Fortunately, the key to sustainable success isn’t working harder, but aligning your work with your body’s natural design.

Instead of prioritizing your hustle, prioritize your physiological state. After all, it’s the foundation upon which all of your sustainable achievements must be built.

Why Your Nervous System Matters More Than Your To-Do List

Have you noticed that when your body feels safe, your brain becomes more creative, strategic, and open to abundance? Conversely, when your nervous system is chronically dysregulated (stuck in fight/flight/freeze/fawn responses), you remain locked in scarcity and reaction-mode regardless of how many strategies you try. This reality creates a painful paradox: the more desperately you push for success, the more your nervous system perceives danger, and the less access you have to the very gifts and talents needed for sustainable wealth creation.

I personally know how this works. When I was dealing with the worst of my chronic pain experiences, I was so reactive and stuck: I couldn’t think straight or plan well. I didn’t see progress in any areas of my life until I got my nervous system in check. There was no amount of “pushing through” that could make up for the dysregulation I was experiencing.

Traditional success models ignore this fundamental truth, because these models assume that energy is consistently available, output should be linear, and success only exists when constant growth is achieved. These assumptions directly contradict human biology and natural cycles, which both dictate that periods of ebb and flow, expansion and contraction, and highs and lows are equally crucial in the creation process.

The Four Survival Responses in Your Work and Your Life

Understanding how survival responses manifest in your work and your life is the first step toward creating sustainable success. These patterns can show up as:

Fight: Overworking, forcing outcomes, perfectionism, controlling tendencies, defensive responses to feedback

Flight: Procrastination, distraction, starting new projects before completing others, excessive planning without action, avoidance of financial numbers

Freeze: Decision paralysis, undercharging, invisibility, creative blocks, inability to launch

Fawn: People-pleasing offers, boundary violations, saying yes when you mean no, overdelivering, ignoring your own needs

Which of these patterns feels most familiar to you? Recognizing your default survival response provides valuable insight into where nervous system regulation will create the most significant shifts.

For me, vacillating between fight and freeze was the norm, and when I was exhausted, I would plunge into flight mode, hoping that a new project (distraction) was the answer. Of course, I didn’t see results until I healed myself enough to get out of these modes.

Creating Your Personal Baseline

Your “baseline” is your minimum viable state of regulation—the foundational level of nervous system calm needed to function effectively and make aligned decisions. Creating a practice that can consistently regulate the nervous system can do wonders for improving your decision making and enhance your levels of creativity.

A simple but powerful practice for establishing this baseline is creating a Calm Morning Anchor: a short 10–30 minute morning practice to reset your system before engaging with the world.

Effective morning anchors might include:

  • Gentle stretching or somatic shaking to release overnight tension
  • Breathwork (Box Breathing or 4-7-8) to directly communicate with your autonomic nervous system
  • A tea or warm water ritual in silence that creates multi-sensory presence
  • Listening to soothing music or ambient sounds that entrain your nervous system to coherent patterns
  • Light journaling to externalize thought patterns before they create internal agitation

The specific practice matters less than its consistency and its effectiveness in creating a physiological state of safety from which you can engage with your day. The practice that works best is the one that you use regularly and that helps you feel safe and calm. My personal practice includes a quick yoga session before I get out of bed, meditating in the shower, drinking warm tea before working, and journaling. Some days I do all four of these practices, and on other days, I do one or two. It all depends on what I feel I need.

Your Daily Regulation Toolkit

Even with the most carefully designed morning practice, it’s inevitable that life will have moments of dysregulation throughout your day. Having a personalized toolkit of regulation strategies allows you to respond thoughtfully to these moments rather than spiraling into prolonged stress states. Making beautiful rituals out of your regulation tools takes those dysregulation moments from stressful to blissful.

Some powerful regulation tools include physical regulation (like cold exposure and modified butterfly hugs), breath regulation (extended exhaling and box breathing could work), cognitive regulation (sensory grounding is a favorite one of mine, as is compassionate self talk). The most effective toolkits include options that can be implemented in different environments, require varying amounts of time, and address different levels of dysregulation.

From Regulation to Riches

Understanding the direct connection between your nervous system state and your capacity to create sustainable wealth provides powerful motivation for prioritizing regulation practices.

When your nervous system operates primarily in survival mode, several mechanisms restrict your financial potential. Those mechanisms can look like scarcity thinking, risk aversion, undercharging, visibility resistance and decision fatigue. When the nervous system is dysregulated, abundance can feel dangerous or unrealistic, opportunities can be missed, market value disregarded, and there is no energy left to make the decisions that matter most.

On the other hand, a regulated nervous system creates the ideal conditions for sustainable wealth. Regulation opens the way for expansive thinking, intuitive wisdom and confident boundaries. Additionally, a safe and secure nervous system allows for authentic visibility: the kind of presence that is an expression for service, and feels no threats to survival.

The Integration Challenge

If you need support to embrace a regulated nervous system, please comment “Safe” so that you can be notified when I release my FREE 7-day challenge for rewiring your nervous system for success. These are the same strategies I used to help my frazzled nervous system go from struggling to secure. If I can do it – while in the throes of a chronic illness – you can, too.

A Revolutionary Approach to Success

By prioritizing nervous system regulation, you’re not just improving how you feel—you’re fundamentally transforming your relationship with work, wealth, and your own inherent value. You’re creating the physiological conditions where abundance can flow without resistance.

This approach might seem radical in a culture that glorifies pushing yourself beyond your limits. But what could be more practical than working with—rather than against—your body’s fundamental design? If pushing yourself too hard creates burnout, how much better would it be to create an environment where you have more energy and more money?

Your nervous system isn’t just another aspect of self-care—it’s the essential foundation upon which all sustainable success must be built. By mastering regulation first, you create the internal conditions where ideas flow effortlessly, decision fatigue diminishes, and opportunities seem to find you rather than you chasing them.

What would become possible in your life if you put your nervous system first? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Personal Finance Needs a Rebrand

I took a long break from blogging so that I could get clear on the message I needed to share. And that time away crystallized one persistent truth that I couldn’t shake: there were a lot of concepts and theories that were outdated, and the way that personal finance is approached no longer resonates with many people. In short, personal finance is in desperate need of a rebrand. Many of the existing terms and concepts worked well for the world we used to occupy, but things are changing lightning fast , and we need to reconsider whether the old framework – and all of the perspectives that come with it – still works for us.

Humans are returning to traditional ways of self governance. The idea that anyone (everyone!) outside of us knows the best way to do things is antiquated. We are leaving behind the idea that we have to blindly trust someone else’s point of view, and learning to listen to our intuition again. We’re allowing true heart desires, natural cycles and close social connections to guide us in our financial decision making. We aren’t convinced that someone else’s financial approach is best simply because they have more credentials than us: we are finally mastering the art of taking what works and leaving the rest.

Unfortunately, what many of us are finding is that most of the financial advice being offered falls into the category of “the rest to be left behind”. In short, personal finance, as we know it, is based on a model that doesn’t work as well as it used to. The old ways can and do still work, but people (particularly women) want MORE from their personal finance experience. They don’t solely idolize the end goal of financial freedom, security or impact: they also want to enjoy the process of getting to their goals. They finally understand that the journey can, and should, be just as delightful as the destination. And they are not accepting any financial approach that doesn’t allow for joy in the meantime.

That means, advice about eliminating avocado toast and happy hour drinks will fall flat. Any advice that encourages picking up another job, when you’re already exhausted from your main career, is tone deaf and a bit demeaning. Anyone with a little discernment can see that there’s no amount of trimming creature comforts that will completely reverse your financial fortune within 60 or 90 days. Sacrificing your rest for a secondary job that pays little but adds extra stress and expenses isn’t worth it. Advice that centers on removing what delights us and adding more complications will always cause us to recoil and subconsciously reject those recommendations. Trying to follow this advice rarely works when we remove joy and replace it with austerity.

Personal finance is in sore need of a rebrand. There is a better way, and I know, because I’m living it. I’m here to bring something better, something fresh, something . . . divinely aligned. Are you ready for this journey? I hope you’ll join me.

Everything I will be sharing has already been tested by me. So I’ll not only be able to explain these approaches that I’m proposing, but I’ll also be sharing my own outcomes from implementing these practices. If you’d like a sneak peek into some of my practices, then make sure to like my Facebook page (click here) so you’ll be notified when I go live on June 18th, to show you my Seasonal Reset practice.

I’m so excited to share my discoveries with you! Stay tuned: I’ll be back soon to start the discussion. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

2025 Has Been Monumental: Are You Ready to Finish STRONG?

As we step into the second half of this year, we have incredible opportunities ahead of us, if we prepare and take decisive action.

I have been working on a few projects (as usual) and that has taken more of my time than expected. There was a lot of preparation needed before I entered the upcoming year, because I was determined to WIN BIG in 2025. That preparation, and the subsequent execution of relevant tasks, took more time and effort than expected. However, things are now set in motion, and I’m so ready to share what I’ve been working on with you all!

If the changes we’ve experienced during the past few months feel uncomfortable, take heart. There is no need to feel scared or pessimistic about the future because there are ALWAYS winners (no matter what’s happening in the world) and you can position yourself to be one of them. Change is inevitable, but pivoting and innovating as you go can help ensure that you’re insulated from the discomfort that comes with those changes. In this space, I won’t be spreading the gospel of lack, fear or scarcity. If you are unsure what to do next, here’s hoping this post will help you.

First of all, let’s remember that 99% of life is a mental game. Making the decision that this year will be incredible is the first step in actualizing a beautiful, enjoyable experience regardless of what’s happening on the world stage. So many people set themselves up for disappointment by cursing their lives: they utter misery, fear, lack, and pain over themselves, then wonder why things aren’t working out for them. Start blessing your life by speaking good things and sincerely believing that your life WILL be good (because it will!). Affirm goodness and prosperity daily – hourly, even – and only choose to consume information that reflects goodness and prosperity back to you. It’s not naive to focus on silver linings; you can be aware of what’s happening around you and STILL have a personal world that is brimming with joy, peace, prosperity, love and hope. If you’ve been focusing on the worst that the world has to offer, then changing your focus should be a relief. And, if not, remember: focusing on the problems didn’t make the problems disappear. So why not choose to put the bulk of your energy elsewhere? Additionally, you are better poised to create solutions when you put some distance between yourself and the problem. Changing your focus often results in a clearer mind and better problem-solving abilities.

Secondly, make a plan that supports the vision you have for your life. Take some time with a journal, and write down whatever lights you up. Capture ALL of the details and desires of your heart, and leave nothing unwritten. If you don’t enjoy writing, make a voice note and talk through it, or use voice typing within a word processing software to capture your thoughts. Get the vision CLEAR so that the plan you need to implement is obvious to you. (A little tip: if your vision only consists of possessing a certain dollar amount, I encourage you to dig deeper and find a more compelling inspiration for the life you want to lead.)

You’ll know that your vision has been crystallized when it feels compelling. You need a vision that will get you out of bed when everything else makes you want to stay in place and sleep through your life. A vision that compels you will make you take bold actions, and will be a guiding star that navigates you out of whatever circumstances you’re currently experiencing. Your vision will keep you motivated and focused. It will ensure that your steps have more impact, and will prompt you to be a master over your time and energy. I’ve found nothing better for my daily menial task list than a compelling vision that inspires my every move. Whenever I wish to do something less impactful, I remember how my tasks feed into my bigger goals, and I’m energized to finish the task at hand.

I have so much more to share in the days and weeks to come (I have a couple of series that I think you all will really enjoy). I’ve already scheduled those posts, so look out for some great chats in the next few days. Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll talk to you all soon!

The Evolution: From Tax Strategy to Ritualized Living

For years, I’ve worked in the world of tax and had incredible experiences. I consulted with a wide variety of clients, mostly international, where I offered feedback on existing systems and proposed policies. I’ve had an amazing time as I mastered my craft, and helped my clients navigate the ever-changing terrain of tax developments.

Me, as a newly married International Tax Auditor

The work was interesting, meaningful, and satisfying. However, there was something in me that whispered gently, “There is MORE“. The only way to clearly hear that whisper – and all that came with it – was to retreat. I had to give myself space to uncover what my soul longed to create. So, that’s what I did. I posted here only when I was inspired, letting alignment dictate the content I shared. But I spent the rest of the time researching . . . experimenting . . . resting . . . meditating . . . and asking myself what the world needed most from me. And now that the vision is clear, I can finally share it with you all.

Wealth isn’t just about what’s in your account and what’s on your tax return. It’s about how you feel. The way you move, the way you build, how safe you feel within yourself, how safe you feel when money enters the equation: all of these factors are reflections of your wealth. When I got clear on the many ways that wealth shows up, I saw the gaps that exist with current financial advice, and I knew what was needed from me.

The Shift: From Function to Fulfillment

I still love taxes, and financial structures and systems will always have their place. But many of us don’t need any more advice on hustles, side gigs, and job hopping for raises, nor do we need more rules and restrictions to follow. We already know how to work well and follow the rules. What we actually need is more ritual, reverence, and room to receive the lives and outcomes we desire. We are starved for pleasure, deprived of comfort, and in desperate need of replenishment.

So I’m shifting the focus on this space, from mostly tax-specific discussions, to a more intuitive yet still structured approach to wealth building and management. As opposed to some of the rigid advice of the past, this space will explore the ways to incorporate soft structure, daily ritual and connection, and elegant execution into the financial frameworks we navigate. I’ve seen firsthand how blending these concepts creates space for wealth, ease, and peace to flourish in my own life.

The goal of this shift is to create and discuss financial patterns, practices, and systems that soften, heal, nurture and refine us while building our wealth.

Hanging out in the office before meeting up for lunch with friends

What You’ll Find Here Now

You will still find lots of substance, unique perspectives and interesting tax news here. But the energy has shifted to something more comprehensive, and more crucial for this time.

The themes that often pop up when talking about finance – urgency, overwhelm, shame, frustration and pressure – have no space here. We’ll be learning to work with money while incorporating the practices that allow us remain regulated, centered, clear minded, confident and magnetic to the outcomes we prefer. We’ll make the hard things easier than ever, and we’ll do it with grace, style and delight.

On this blog, and in some upcoming special events, we’ll explore:

  • Ritual based wealth tools and strategies
  • Sensory and seasonal approaches to financial planning
  • Wealth inspiration that taps into ancient and cultural wisdom
  • Quiet and impactful luxury
  • Soft power, strategic action and sustainable success

Who This Is For

If you’re interested in finance but also . . .

  • Want systems that feel beautiful, nourishing and full of ease, not burdensome and depleting
  • Feel called to step into more restorative approaches to financial management
  • Are ready to create wealth in a smart AND sacred way
  • Value clarity, elegance and rhythm in life and money

. . . Then you’ll love it here.

Welcome To This New Chapter

The framework I’ll be sharing over the upcoming weeks and months is built on a singular belief that has completely changed wealth for me (I hope it does the same for you, too!)

Wealth should feel like home. It should be a sanctuary, where you are welcomed, protected and restored.

I am honored to share this experience and walk the path with you.

We’ll still have lots of the practical gems discussed in this space. But now they’ll be paired with gentle philosophies, invigorating ritual, and restorative practices.

Welcome, or welcome back. I’m happy to have you join me on this journey.

The REAL Reason Why Your Boss Hates Work-From-Home Arrangements (It’s Not What You Think)

A while ago, I came across an article on LinkedIn that quoted former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who blamed Google’s tertiary placement in the AI race on work from home (WFH) arrangements. He did go back and correct his statements, admitting that he “misspoke about Google and their work hours”. Schmidt had previously stated that “Google decided that work-life balance and going home early and working from home was more important than winning”. It’s interesting that Schmidt has always equated work-life balance with an obstacle to business progress; those earlier comments align with his (eventually amended) critique of WFH.

All of Schmidt’s statements fall in line with his opinion that remote work prevents business innovation and effectiveness, and he’s committed to sharing this opinion in various ways, on multiple occasions. His decision to walk back a “misspoken” statement doesn’t change the fact that he speaks the opinions held by many business leaders. The general consensus from some of the most high-powered, visible CEOs is that work completed outside of the office isn’t conducive to business growth and innovation. They have drifted away from the attacks on productivity, after a number of studies confirmed that many employees completed more work while at home. Businesses and their leadership teams abandoned the criticisms against WFH that could be objectively verified via data, in favor of one that is more nebulous and qualitative. In the case of many CEOs, the chosen argument is that remote work is a hindrance to innovation.

Here’s where I offer a more nuanced take on the real reason why businesses have a distaste for WFH arrangements. I think there is a not-so-subtle underlying reason why so many CEOs have taken an anti-remote work stance, and no, it has nothing to do with the fact that a select minority of workers are doing the bare minimum on the clock, or that the lack of innovation or collaboration are causing the business to lose money and opportunities. It also isn’t as closely tied to the expensive unused office leases as many (including myself) originally thought. I think this may have been hinted at before, but I haven’t yet seen it explained in the way that I will.

The truth is, anti-WFH sentiments are heavily rooted in an anti-family, and a uniquely anti-feminine, ideology. It is based on the belief that valuable work – with a paycheck as an end result – can only happen outside of the home. Work that happens in the home is perceived as intrinsically less important and not worthy of financial compensation. The ability to do office tasks effectively within the home is incongruous with what our society has taught, which is, things that happen in the home don’t deserve pay. It is an unwritten rule that work that happens within the confines of one’s personal residence isn’t “real work” and should not be directly compensated.

It’s important to remember that most businesses were thrust into a WFH culture before they were adequately prepared for it. And, funnily enough, most of them would have NEVER prepared for it, had it not been for COVID intervening. Business, in general, is considered something that doesn’t happen at home. For many years, it was something that could only happen in offices, away from the distractions of domestic life. Even with the advent of the internet and the ability to collaborate with teams across time zones, there was still a hesitance to implement remote work arrangements.

The reason is not as simple as what we’ve been told, particularly, the stories that have been pushed heavily since 2020. Yes, there were some underperforming employees that abused WFH provisions: most of these employees were ineffective and doing the bare minimum when they were showing up into the office daily. And absolutely, the cost of leasing spaces that aren’t being used regularly is tremendous. That being said, it is unwise to look at this push against WFH and not see how it is tied to the belief that “work” done in your home isn’t deserving of direct financial compensation. It’s downright malicious to gaslight workers – who have been happy, productive and effective while working from home – into thinking that they will somehow be better performers if they spend time commuting to and from a building, then sitting in a cubicle for eight hours.

I suspect that, as businesses try to revert to the pre-2020 way of work, there will be many employees who simply walk away from these jobs and never look back. These employees will figure out how to monetize their other talents and will be able to support themselves through their own online businesses. With their newfound location freedom, they’ll be able to move to places that are more affordable and offer a better quality of life. And then we will see businesses finally start to realize that the innovation that comes from their remote workers is far better than having no employees at all.

It’s Been Seven Months. Here’s What I’ve Been Doing

Hello friends! It’s been a while since my last post, for good reason. I will occasionally withdraw from blogging, so I have time to implement some theories and to get data to share with you all when I return. It’s been my system for a while, mainly because writing a bunch of fluff – just for the appearance of continuity – never appealed to me. I’d rather offer something substantial a few times out of the year, than to share flimsy articles weekly.

So, here’s what I’ve been doing: I created a few more digital products, and I experimented with a few selling platforms. I didn’t want to recommend certain selling strategies without testing them myself. I always do just enough to see what works, and I only go further if I know it’s worth it. Most of them time, it isn’t worth it! But at least I can speak from a point of experience and not just theory. Of course, it takes time to do gather these experiences so that I can report the results back to you all.

Another thing I’ve done is witness the monetization “arc” of several AI websites. Quite a few of the websites I’ve previously recommended are now behind paywalls, and, while I can understand why the developers did that, eliminating limited freebie versions are why many users are turning away. This is always why I think ChatGPT (and other platforms that offer some access at no cost ) will remain dominant: even if the free version isn’t the best, it’s better than no access at all. Besides, with the proliferation of AI capabilities being built into apps and programs we already use regularly, the accessibility of this technology will continue to grow, many times at no direct out-of-pocket cost to the end user.

I joined a business mentorship group, and I found a tribe of entrepreneurs that are regularly structuring and executing 7- and 8- figure projects. It’s been exciting to be in this hub, and I’m thrilled to offer some incredible products, programs and tips to you all in the future, based on the millionaire habits that I’m picking up from my peers.

I’ve taken a LOT of tax training, mainly for the purpose of learning new ways to interact with wealth. It’s fine to learn the basics, but once you’ve mastered those, you have to dive into deeper material. One of the subjects that I’ve spent more time exploring is estate and trust law (and how the tax law applies to these areas). Learning about estates and trusts has been exhilarating, and I’m excited to start practicing some new things with what I’ve learned.

Finally, the past seven months have been focused on synthesizing and integrating what I’ve taken in so far. One of the biggest traps that snare aspiring wealth builders is staying stuck in “learning” mode. Yes, learn as much as you can, but also begin implementing what you’ve learned. The inability to implement what has been learned is often rooted in insecurity: many of us learn what we can then we get afraid of doing something with it. “What will people say about me if they see me doing ABC?” “What happens if I fail at XYZ?” These questions come from feeling uneasy about doing new things and breaking away from the crowd. I’ll explore this idea more in a future post, but please know that, along with learning new stuff, work on your mindset and start integrating what you’re learning, so you can get the results you desire. Affirm your abilities, take a small step every day, and watch your life start changing in no time.

So, that’s what I’ve been doing the past seven months: learning, testing, observing, practicing, and succeeding. But since I’m a woman of my word – I believe in ACTION alongside learning – it’s time for me to share more about what’s happening behind the scenes, as well as what I want to create in my world. I’ll be posting my August – December goals soon, and sharing with you all how I plan to reach them. Please take some time to think about what you can do during the latter part of the year, and what goals you want to achieve. Let’s make this your best year ever, together!

A Simple Way To Get Ideas For Your Business

It’s so good to be back! I will be catching you all up on the events I’ve attended in future posts. For today, I just want to share an easy way to get a little business inspiration.

One thing that I’ve heard from aspiring entrepreneurs is that they feel “stuck” when it comes to their businesses. They either are unclear about what kind of business they should start, or they have a fledgling (or sometimes thriving!) business that they are looking to expand but are unsure which direction they should pursue. If this describes your situation, here’s a little tip for you.

Figure out the industry you want to serve (even if you don’t know exactly what you want to do in that industry). Then, find the think tanks that focus on that industry, and attend as many of their virtual events that you can. One think tank that has lots of seminars in a variety of industries is Brookings Institute, so that’s a good place to start. Most of the big think tanks are based in Washington, DC, so you may want to filter your search down to the online events hosted by those organizations. I attended a think tank event years ago, and within 15 minutes, I had several ideas that could have been easily monetized.

Here’s a way to do this: let’s say you aspire to own a business related to finance (like me!). You can start at Brookings Institute, and sign up for all of their banking & finance events, then sign up for the events being hosted by other think tanks that host finance-related discussions, like Cato Institute and Center for American Progress. If there are no upcoming events to watch, then check out the past recorded discussions. Listen carefully for opportunities: they’re always there, no matter what level of business you feel that you’re on. Make a list of the ideas that come to you as you’re listening, then go back and listen again, this time paying more attention to the flow of the conversation and other details you may have missed while taking notes.

If you’ve come up with business ideas from listening to think tank discussions, I’d love to hear more about it! I’m currently working on one idea that I got while listening in at a think tank event, and I’m so excited to share that with you all once it’s completed!

That’s all for today: take care and I’ll talk to you all soon!