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One of the best investments I've made wasn't in the stock market. It was in my education. Books, courses, mentors, and a willingness to keep learning have all shaped who I am today...but especially books. They have always been some of my greatest teachers. So this week I'm sharing with you eight books that have influenced the way I think about money, life, and helping women build financial confidence. Every one of these has given me a different perspective. Some remin

If I could sit down with my 20-year-old self over a cup of coffee, I'd tell her one simple thing: Use your resources. Find people who have already walked the path you're on. Ask questions. Be curious. Listen more than you talk. When I was younger, I thought I had to figure everything out on my own. Looking back, I realize there were incredible teachers and examples all around me. They had made mistakes, recovered from setbacks, found success, and discovered what really

When our twins were born on April 14, 2009, they arrived two months early and instantly turned our family of four into a family of six. Lauren was 10. Lexi was 8. I was 40 years old... and before I even opened my eyes on that first morning as a mom of four, I knew one thing for sure: I was in way over my head! There were bottles, diapers, sleepless nights, school schedules, sports, laundry, and enough chaos to make me wonder if I had somehow landed on another planet.

Last week, we unplugged for a much-needed vacation with family and friends. As much as I love getting away, I've come to believe the greatest gift of a vacation isn't the time away, it's the perspective you bring home. Stepping away clears my mind, sparks new ideas, and reminds me why I love the work I do. I always return feeling refreshed, re-energized, and ready to focus on what matters most. And the timing couldn't be better. Believe it or not, there are only 169 d

Last week was a tough one. On Thursday, our family gathered to celebrate the life of my father-in-law, James F. Burns, Sr., who passed away unexpectedly just a week earlier. If you knew Jim, you knew his passions. He was a South Philly guy – born and raised – who loved his Philadelphia sports, the Jersey Shore, his favorite TV shows, and his dog, Prinny. He never passed up a chance to tell a great story—or an even louder joke. He adored my mother-in-law and was a devote

Not too long ago, I opened a piece of mail that read: "Your life insurance policy is approaching expiration." Wait... what? I had purchased that policy decades ago after my divorce when I was a single mom and wanted peace of mind that if something happened to me, my daughter would be financially protected. But now I suddenly found myself asking a question that many women eventually face: "What do I do now?" At the time, it was one of the most important financial decis

Some days feel heavier than others. When they do, it's okay to slow down and just pause. It's okay to step off the treadmill for a moment and simply be where you are. And I often have to remind myself of this very thing. We don't always have to push through, check another box, or keep moving at full speed. Instead, we can take a moment to breathe. Take a walk. Or simply sit quietly with a cup of coffee. Give yourself permission to slow down. The way we care for ot

Not too long ago, my mom ended up in the hospital for an extended period of time. Thankfully, she is doing much better now. But during those weeks, life felt like it had been turned upside down. It was emotional, stressful, and overwhelming. There were moments when I thought my head was going to explode!... from keeping track of everything that needed attention while also worrying about my mom. As difficult as that time was, one thing made an enormous difference: my mom

In last week's Wednesday Wisdom, I shared about my recent guest appearance on my friend Sandy Joy Weston, M.Ed.'s podcast. One topic we homed in on was the negative self-talk so many women struggle with, especially when it comes to their finances. Sandy asked what I do to get out of that negative headspace. My answer was pretty simple but has been incredibly powerful for me. When I'm feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or discouraged, I think about my bestie - the person I call

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to join Sandy Joy Weston, M.Ed. on her podcast, “Hey, I've Got Something to Say!". We had an honest and heartfelt conversation about money, life transitions, and starting over. We talked about something many women quietly carry: fear and uncertainty around money. The truth is, life happens. Divorce happens. Businesses fail. Relationships change. Financial mistakes get made. And sometimes we find ourselves rebuilding at age 3

Last week, I wrote about how chaotic May can be — and wow, is it living up to the hype! Between work, family, events, responsibilities, and trying to keep all the balls in the air, it’s easy to feel mentally and emotionally drained right about now. So today, I share something with you that I genuinely believe in. It's simple, but incredibly powerful: Changing your environment. Sometimes the best thing we can do for our mental, emotional, physical, and even spiritual h

Call me crazy, but I think the month of May may actually be more chaotic than December! Hear me out… Between graduations, proms, Mother’s Day, birthdays (I’ve got not one, but two May babies!), banquets, playoffs, weddings, bridal and baby showers, travel plans, appointments, work deadlines, Memorial Day Weekend, and all the end-of-school everything… it’s enough to make even the most organized woman forget what day it is! May is full of motion and emotion. It’s the hi

I believe that signs are a gift from the universe. They are little nudges guiding us toward the change we’re ready for—and they often show up quietly. A thought that keeps resurfacing. A conversation that lingers. Or an idea you just can’t shake. But here is the part that many women miss: the sign isn’t really the change. It's one thing to notice it and another to trust it. But acting on it… that’s where the magic happens. Here is what I mean... Maybe you’ve been

There’s a moment in life no one really prepares you for. The moment you realize your mom is no longer the one holding everything together…and somehow, quietly, that role has shifted to you. Watching your mom age is that quiet shift that takes time to understand. I’ve been living in that space lately—and I’m realizing there is no playbook for this. My mom is 81 and living with Parkinson’s. In March, she spent several weeks in the hospital, and since coming home, recove

Lately I’ve been thinking… life doesn’t really get easier as we get older, does it? Especially in my 50s, the physical changes have been more than I ever could have imagined. Hello perimenopause and menopause! What I’ve learned over the years, though, is that when something significantly changes in our lives, we need to advocate for ourselves—because no one is going to do that for us. We have to ask questions, push for answers, educate ourselves, and find the right reso

Yesterday, my youngest two turned 17 (OMG, 17!), and I found myself sitting with that number a little longer than usual. I have four incredible children. My daughters, Lauren and Lexi, are 26 and 24 and are out on their own, building lives that make me incredibly proud. Then there are my boys, Jimmy and Joey—twins, just now 17 and in their junior year of high school. And what 17 really means, at least in my world, is that we are getting closer to a major transition. In

So many women I know (this may be you, too) hold themselves back financially because they feel embarrassed about what they don’t know…or the mistakes they’ve made in the past. Heck, that was ME! Years ago, I was terrible with my finances . I ignored them, assumed someone else would handle things, and told myself I was too young to really worry about it. Then my divorce happened , and that was my rock bottom—both emotionally and financially. But it was also my wake up

Recently my conversations with women have felt a little heavier. There’s a quiet weight that many of us are carrying—navigating unsettled relationships, unexpected divorce, job loss, or the responsibility of caring for loved ones without a clear roadmap. And when life feels so layered and uncertain it can start to spill into all areas of our lives, including financially. When I find myself in those seasons, I come back to something simple. Maybe even deceptively simpl

There’s something I think we don’t talk about enough, especially as mid-life women. So here I go... There are women half your age —with a quarter of your life experience ( and I’m being generous! )—out there getting things done. Meanwhile, so many of us sit quietly wondering if we’re ‘ready’. We over analyze. We second guess ourselves . We think we need one more certification, one more course, a bunch of ABC letters after our name, before we go after what’s actually on

There’s a role I want you to step into, starting today: being the Chief Financial Officer of your life. Not because you need to become a financial expert… But because when you start paying attention to your finances, something powerful happens. You gain clarity. You build confidence. And that puts you in control to live the life you want...and deserve. I shared with you last week that when I hit rock bottom financially, I learned money doesn’t just impact your bank