What is financial wellness?

In my experience, it’s a mindset, it takes practice, it takes effort, and it looks different for everyone. Along the way, we need resources (tools) to make it happen.

We start by asking these questions. What are my goals in life? What do the bare essentials look like? What do the fun things look like? We also need to acknowledge that goals are not static, they will change over time. Sometimes through maturity, sometimes through circumstances (inside and outside our control), and sometimes it’s not the “what” that changes, rather the “when” that changes.   

My husband and I grew up in very different circumstances. Each with our own challenges to navigate, each with our own very different ideas and points of reference when we married. As an example, I started working as soon as I was old enough and began contributing to my family’s household expenses, in order to have the things that were important to me at the time. I bought a camera (film) with my first “real” paycheck. I paid for my long-distance phone calls (so I could talk with my best friend once a week). I had a goal, which I didn’t even let friends (boys) interfere with, eventually were factored in! Get a college degree and be financially independent. I worked 30+ hours a week while maintaining a full-time course load, picked up classes during winter and summer sessions to stay focused. I knew where every dollar went. I ate a lot of Ramen, and I bought my first computer. My car was held together by duct tape and glue, but I had my own apartment. Priorities, goals, sacrifices, and wins. 

When I got married, I immediately gained a son. Within six years, we’d added 2 more boys to the mix. Operating much as I had during my college years, I worked full time and got little sleep, but now I was also managing a household of 4.5 and raising children. That’s how the past 25 years have essentially gone. It hasn’t been a straight line to achieving my goals, there have been many sacrifices and losses, but with plenty of wins to celebrate. What continues to hold true for me is the goal for financial independence.   

After my initial introduction to corporate banking, I left to pursue an opportunity where I successfully managed a business through the 2008 financial crisis, later started my own business, closed that business, launched another business, and felt the crushing weight of betrayal, debt, and failure. Then I pursued a financially stable job, only to find myself with a fixed income, but no financial freedom. So, I chased the big title and the big salary, only to be rewarded with debilitating anxiety and burnout. Instead of jumping ship again, I paused, reassessed, recalibrated and broke the mold.    

What do I offer? Understanding, honesty & support. Customizable and practical solutions, implemented by you, to help you achieve your goals. I call it, The Close Affect: action drives change.

🦋 Celebrate wins
🦋 Leverage talents/resources
🦋 Organize finances/budget
🦋 Strive for financial freedom
🦋 Excel…

Financial wellness is a journey that is best taken with others. I invite you to join me on my journey.

STAY CONNECTED

• Instagram: @the.close.affect
• LinkedIn: Jessi Close
• Email: [email protected] or [email protected]