Hello Reader , As a finance coach for couples, I get asked all the time: "What's the ONE book we should read together?" Without hesitation, I recommend "The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel. Here's why this book is a game-changer: It taught my husband and I (and now the couples I work with) that personal finance is more personal than it is finance. Our money decisions are driven by emotions, experiences and psychology rather than pure logic. Understanding why we make certain money...
13 days ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader , I'm Karen, and I wanted to properly introduce myself—or reintroduce myself if we've crossed paths before. I'm a finance coach for Christian couples, and I live in Kenya with my husband (who pastors at a large Christian school here) and our daughter. We're originally from the UK, but we've made this beautiful country our home for a few years. Here's the thing: I didn't become a finance coach because I had it all figured out. I became one because it took my husband and me 18...
17 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader , We used to think we were hopeless with money. Every January, we'd set ourselves some new money goals. Set strict spending limits. Promise ourselves this time would be different. By March? We'd be ordering takeout, feeling guilty and convinced we lacked willpower. Sound familiar? Here's what we discovered: We weren't the problem. The approach was. Most budgets start with the wrong question. They ask: "How little can you spend?" But the right question is: "What do you want your...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader , I had to share this with you because it was such a game-changer for our summer trip to the UK! We have just spent six weeks visiting friends and family, but halfway through, my husband and I were craving some alone time. You know how it is – as much as we love everyone, sometimes you just need your own space to recharge. So we started looking at Airbnbs for a week away... and nearly fell off our chairs at the prices. $2000+ for a decent house for just one week? My finance coach...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Dear Reader , If you’ve been doing all the right things, budgeting, cutting back, trying to save, but still feel stuck, you’re not alone. The truth is, most people don’t struggle with discipline.They struggle with direction. Because without a clear money goal, it’s hard to stay motivated. You can track spending all day long but if you don’t know what you’re working toward, it starts to feel pointless. This one mindset shift changed everything for us:When we decided to take our daughter to...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Dear Reader , Last weekend, I went shopping—and wow. I’m buying the same things I always do, but the total at the till? Higher. The cost of living crisis is still very much here. And if you’ve noticed that your grocery bill is still increasing, you’re not imagining it. So, to help you stick to your food budget and stop spending more than you really need to, here are some tips to spend only what you need to. Step 1: Start with a solid meal plan Before you even write your list, take a few...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader , Do you and your partner ever wish you could talk about money without it turning into a heated debate? Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a space where you can align your financial goals, celebrate your victories and support each other—without fear of judgement? And what if you could get honest, actionable advice when you need it most? That’s exactly why I created the Money and Marriage Facebook group. This is the community I wish my husband and I had when we started our financial...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader , I believe true financial wealth is built in the quiet moments—the ones where we choose to do what’s important, even when it’s not urgent. Things like reviewing your finances, tracking your spending patterns, setting up sinking funds, or finally starting that emergency fund—none of it screams for your attention. But those quiet tasks? They’re the ones that make the biggest difference over time. That’s why I’m such a fan of “money dates”—just 20 minutes a month to take intentional...
6 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader , If your finances feel a bit all over the place lately, you’re so not alone. The good news? You don’t need a total money makeover to start seeing progress — just a few smart, intentional steps. This is Part 1 of a short series where I’ll guide you through the very first things I get my coaching clients to do when they’re ready to get a handle on their finances. Let’s start with something powerful: Calculate your net worth - don’t worry — it’s not as scary as it sounds! Your net...
6 months ago • 1 min read