What is money coaching?
Money coaching is a customized blend of financial planning and financial therapy. Carrie guides individuals, families and small business owners on a path to financial freedom through a holistic coaching process. She helps people take control of their finances and find lasting emotional and financial security. With Carrie’s mindful counseling, clients take a rigorous look at their income and expenses to create a flexible framework (a.k.a. monthly and annual budgets) for making smart and guilt-free financial decisions on a consistent basis. When relevant, clients address family history and imbalances such as debt, emotional spending, financial conflicts in relationships and underearning. The money coaching process with Carrie is transformative, inspirational and practical – it’s about aligning your spending, saving, and earning with your values.

How do we get started?
As of summer 2023, I have a 6-month waiting list. Please explore my Personal Finance 101 Course, consider hiring a member of the SF Money Coach Team or email me at carrie@sfmoneycoach.com to be placed on the waiting list and I will contact you in January 2024.

Where are you located?
I live in Portola Valley, CA and my office is in Palo Alto.

What are your office hours?
Generally Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am – 3:00pm Pacific Standard Time.

Do you work with people remotely?
Yes, we will use Zoom – it has an easy screen sharing feature so I can show you visuals and demonstrate tools. You will also be able to share your screen with me so I can answer any questions you may have. You will need to have access to the internet and be comfortable on the computer.

What happens during the first three money coaching sessions?
In the first session, I’ll ask you a series of intake questions about your financial situation covering everything from day to day financial decisions, debt/savings picture, credit card use, family history as well as your goals and intentions – what you want to accomplish and address. In the second session, we’ll define your current and ideal lifestyle by creating totally customized categories for tracking your money and planning your spending, saving and earning. In the third session, we’ll start applying numbers to your vision by creating your first spending plan. From there, we’ll be able to assess reality and answer the question, “Does this plan work?”

How often do I come in?
Based on the details of your financial situation, we will customize the frequency of appointments to meet your needs. It is a process that is unique for everyone and can change over time. I usually recommend that you plan on two appointments per month. It takes most people about 3-6 months to be on a steady path of healthy financial routines and related behaviors and to fully wrap their arms around their financial picture. At that point, most clients shift into a maintenance mode and continue coming in on a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual basis.

How long is an appointment?
Sessions are 60 minutes long. Occasionally, we may decide together to do a 90-minute appointment.

I have a small business. Which should I work on, my personal finances or my small business finances?
We will explore this question in our consultation and first appointment. Many small business owners start off by looking at their personal finances. Once clarity and stability are achieved, people frequently start applying the same mindfulness, structure and accountability to their business finances as well.

How can I pay you?
Cash, check, or debit/credit card.

Can you make referrals to other professionals?
Yes, I am happy to make referrals to fee-only certified financial planners, estate attorneys, accountants, life coaches and therapists. I also know amazing tutors, stylists, photographers, copy writers, virtual assistants, nutritionists, and web designers in New York City and the Bay Area. Just ask!

What is the story behind the SF Money Coach and NY Money Coach?
Prior to 2012, I lived in San Francisco for 14 years and that is where I started my money coaching practice. For two years starting in June 2012, I lived and worked in Manhattan as the New York Money Coach. In June 2014, I moved back to the Bay Area.

What inspired you to become a money coach? 
My own journey as a money coaching client inspired me to become a coach. The process was deeply transformative for me – I went from zero financial skills and total overwhelm to feeling strong, confident and empowered around money, plus I doubled my income the first year after learning how to create flexible monthly and annual spending plans.

How long have you been a money coach and what types of clients do you typically work with? 
I’ve been a certified financial coach since 2010 and, in 2020, became a certified Financial Behavior Specialist®. I typically work with process-oriented professionals who want to use the art of personal finance as the path to their deepest desires.

What is the most important piece of financial advice you’ve ever given? 
It’s not about the money. Happiness, earning potential, lifestyle choices, fulfilling relationships and success have very little to do with bank account balances. Financial well-being is an inside job and can be cultivated in anyone who is honest, open-minded and willing.

What are the three things everyone should be paying attention to as it relates to their money? 
1) Pay your credit cards off in full at the end of every month, not just the statement balance. 2) How you relate with money is how you relate with life. 3) A monthly budget is realistic only if you include an average of your periodic, anticipated non-monthly expenses.