WINTER 2019/20
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CONTENTS
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FEATURES 18 Women to Watch Betsy Pakenas 22 Inspire/Empower Mary Ellen Mitchell 26 The Power of Collective Giving 32
Planning for Your Future
38
Fashion Investment Fashion
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32 DEPARTMENTS 8 Business Spotlight The Turning Point
51 Career I Just Got Paid – Now What?
12 Girl’s Guide to Budget Apps
56 Wellness Embracing an Abundance Mindset
45 Beauty Save & Splurge 46 Travel Travel More, Spend Less
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60 Recipe Healthy Bellies & Happy Wallets O N T H E C O V E R : Betsy Pakenas is a financial advisor and managing partner of The Berkheimer Group at Morgan Stanley in Frederick, Maryland. Read about how her passion for helping people fuels her career in financial planning on page 18. Cover Photo by Jess Latos.
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Winter 19/20 | Vol. 5, Issue 2
Chrissy Moore, Copy Editor copyeditor@sassmagazine.com Brittany Raymor, Fashion Editor fashion@sassmagazine.com Alicia Schwartzbeck, Accounting accounting@sassmagazine.com Tim & Donna Moore, Distribution info@sassmagazine.com Ashley Bailey, Admin Coordinator ashley@sassmagazine.com CREATIVE TEAM Marie Boshoff, Cecelia Lee www.sasscreativestudios.com CONTRIBUTORS Brittany Raymor, Rebecca Carrera, Gel Derossi, Lauri Gross, Jane Helm, Charissa Hipp, Sarah Kurtanich, Rachel Lytle, Alie Pallat, Heather Tydings, Ashley Waters PHOTOGRAPHERS Ashley Bailey, Jess Latos, Kate Palker, Jessica Patterson ADVERTISING advertising@sassmagazine.com April Izer april@sassmagazine.com Kim Grimberg kimgrimberg@sassmagazine.com Melinda Yuhas melindayuhas@sassmagazine.com ADDITIONAL SASS CREW Tina Fraley, Tori Caulfield, Gel Derossi PRINTING Sheridan Press Sass Magazine is a free quarterly publication in the western Maryland region that is also available for a paid subscription. Customer inquiries should be directed to Sass Studios, LLC. All contents of this publication are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part for any reason without prior consent of the publisher. Advertising Information: advertising@sassmagazine.com We thank our advertisers for their support!
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Hello and happy winter! I’m a summer girl at heart — give me sunny, warm days on the beach over snow covered hills anyday! But, this year I’ve decided to embrace winter with a seasonal living mentality. Yes, I love the vibrance and warmth of long summer days, but I wouldn’t appreciate them as much without the gentle solitude of winter — a time of quiet, rest and inner reflection. So, for those of you who are like me (and usually dread the coming of winter), I encourage you to shift your mindset as well. To help you get through the winter months, be sure to visit SassMagazine.com for winter-inspired articles, plus seasonal living guidelines throughout 2020. This issue is all about money. It's something we need to survive, a topic many of us struggle with and something we don't always like to discuss. Several years ago I attended a women’s conference in Virginia where I participated in a session that focused on our personal relationship with money and how it relates to our self worth. I quickly discovered I was NOT comfortable with this topic and unexpectedly broke into tears of bewilderment in the middle of the session. I’m not a big crier, especially in front of others, so this was definitely a wake-up moment for me! Why is money SUCH a hard topic — especially for women? Unfortunately, I don’t have any magical answers. What I have come to understand is that our relationships with money are deep and varied, so devoting an entire issue to the topic is very important. Our money issue approaches the topic with a positive mindset and provides actionable practices to help you grow, define or change your relationship with money. Throughout these Sassy pages you’ll find articles for a variety of ways to budget — via apps, travel, meal planning and more! Additionally, you’ll learn about ways to invest in your future (p 32 & 51) and how collective giving and a philanthropic mission can instill power, purpose and initiative (p 26). We also explore what it means to have an abundance mindset (p56), and spotlight two amazing women who share their own relationships with money and how it has shaped their lives (p 18 & 22)! Plus, we’ve got tips on when to save and when to splurge on beauty and fashion! Remember, Sass is so much more than just a magazine! We’re a community of empowered women in the Frederick region and beyond! Get more involved with the Sass community by partnering with us, following us on social media, signing up for our enewsletter, attending one of our 2020 events (schedule coming soon!), or by joining our popular VIP society (details on our back cover)! Last, but not least, be sure to pay attention to the many businesses and organizations advertised throughout this issue. BONUS: You can find several discounts and promotions just for Sass readers throughout our advertisements. Sass is a free resource made possible by the support of our advertisers and partners. Please visit their shops, attend their events, use their services, and thank them for being a part of Sass! We hope you enjoy our money issue and we look forward to seeing you at one of our future events! WEB EXCLUSIVE
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P H O T O G R A P H Y: A B R A H A M R O W E P H O T O G R A P H Y
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Business Spotlight:
THE
TURNING
Jessica Feltz, owner of The Turning Point in Frederick, Maryland, is living out her mission to provide affordable health care to underserved populations in the community. In 2007, Jessica was awarded funds to start her clinic (the only community acupuncture center in Frederick) after submitting her business plan to the Rockville Economic Department’s StartRight! Business Plan Competition for Women Entrepreneurs. Since then, she has given over 80,000 affordable treatments to more than 10,000 patients. At $20 a session, The Turning Point is definitely worth a visit.
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POINT
Why did you decide to start this business?
Acupuncture is the simplest, safest, lowest-tech, broadest spectrum, and the least expensive remedy for the most common health problem in America: stress. It is so relaxing that some perfectly healthy people like to use it on a regular basis, simply because they enjoy it. I opened The Turning Point because I wanted to make acupuncture accessible to my community. Acupuncture is simple medicine: it doesn’t require much more than three cent needles, old recliner chairs, and stillness. And yet, most acupuncturists charge high fees for a boutique service, placing this effective modality out of the financial reach of the people in our community who need it the most.
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What makes your business stand out? Acupuncture schools teach their students to treat one person at a time for a high fee: low-volume and high-cost. That business model was inaccessible to my friends and family. So when I read about a community acupuncture clinic in Portland, Oregon, I knew I had found the solution to my business dilemma. A community clinic provides treatment to multiple patients at the same time. This model allows me to see a higher volume of patients, which in turn allows me to charge less for my services.
What is a typical day like? I start seeing patients at 8 am, take a break mid-day, and leave for home at 7:30 pm. I never know what to expect when I roll my stool over to each patient. I might be meeting a person who is grieving the loss of a parent or one who is newly pregnant, someone who’s been dealing with chronic pain for decades or a student athlete with a fresh injury.
Can you describe your customers? I decided early on that I wanted to treat everyone: the elderly, the working class, the poor, ethnic and religious minorities, addicts and codependents, the LGBQT community, women, children and men. I feel grateful and honored to have earned the trust of these communities. Accessibility is hands-down my highest priority. I want everyone in the community to feel comfortable seeking care for themselves, regardless of their income or social background.
How did you get the background and skills necessary to run this type of business? I earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and social welfare from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Then I received a Bachelor of Science in nutrition and a Master of Science in oriental medicine from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine. I passed the national board exams through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. I’ve maintained my state’s requirements for continuing education classes over the past dozen years. In 2009, I was invited to preside over the Board of Directors for the Community Acupuncture Network, and the next year I was asked to help incept the People’s Organization of Community Acupuncture. I co-produced the documentary “Community Acupuncture: The Calmest Revolution Ever Staged” with award-winning filmmaker Brian Lindstrom, and I organized the first national community acupuncture conference in 2011.
What is the single most critical talent you possess in your role as a business owner? Our Western culture emphasizes development of our intellect, followed by the skills of our hands, and then almost as an afterthought: our hearts. One of my teachers taught the reverse: Heart, Hands, Head. That single teaching radically altered the course of my life, both personally and professionally.
When you're not running your business, what are you doing? I love spending time with my sons, playing with our pets, tending my flower beds, devouring non-fiction books, and creating in the kitchen. I could be jamming on my ukulele or saluting the sun on my yoga mat. I serve on a couple of boards for local non-profits, too.
Where do you see your business in the next year? In the next five years? I recently began selling CBD products, expanded my hours (more early morning, lunchtime, after work and weekend hours), and installed a Ceragem bed for inexpensive massages. I expect that my clinic will continue serving more of our community with these new offerings.
If you weren’t already in this business, would you enter it today? I took on an enormous (six-figure) debt to secure my education. My young family spent years on welfare while I worked to get my social business established. My first marriage ended while I was in school, and my second marriage ended while I was trying to launch my clinic. I’m sure that my life would have been much easier if I’d remained on the corporate path in the nursing home industry. But if I’d played it safe, 10,000 people wouldn’t have been relieved of their pain and suffering. Running this clinic has been the most difficult endeavor of my life. Yet, it has rewarded me with experiences, insights, and relationships beyond anything I could ever have imagined.
The Turning Point 1780 N Market St, | Frederick, MD 21701 (240) 405-7878 www.theturningpointacupuncture.com For more information, turn to page 3!
WINTER 19/20
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CATEGORY GIRL'S GUIDE HEADER
Girls’ Guide To
By Gel Derossi
What is your body’s response to the word budget? How about debt? Savings plan? If your response is positive, rock on! But if money conversations make you feel a bit sick to your stomach, annoyed, or overwhelmed, you’re not alone.
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MINT
For: Beginning budgeters / figuring out how you want to budget / spending minimal time budgeting Why: It’s free! You connect Mint to your financial accounts, and the app takes it from there. The rest of your budgeting can consist of glancing at your trends tab and free credit score. Mint categorizes your transactions and keeps track of your budget with alerts. If you can’t quite figure it out, they’ve got a convenient live customer service chat for help and questions.
POCKETGUARD
For: Budgeting newbies / busy budgeters / lowering your bills or spending Why: Like Mint, it’s free and links to your financial accounts. PocketGuard takes care of what many of us try to do in our heads: subtract bills, build our savings, and integrate our spending goals to calculate how much money we have to spend at any given moment. It’s known for being easy to set up. Best of all, Pocketguard gives you recommendations for how to save. Based on your profile, it will find better deals for your spending and anticipate future expenses.
P H O T O G R A P H Y: N E E D P H O T O G R A P H E R
A recent 2018 survey determined that 85 percent of American adults sometimes feel stressed out about money, and a full 30 percent feel stressed out about money constantly.* Learning how to manage our money can often be a trial-and-error process — which can become quite overwhelming and frustrating! The more information and resources we have access to can aid us in best practices and ways to succesully manage our money. And, it turns out there’s an app (several, actually!) for that! We've researched a variety of different money management tools that you can easily access when you're on the go. These apps can help you develop tools and ideas for budgeting, financial management, and saving. This is just one part of thinking critically about your money and claiming your agency. Always remember to safe guard your personal information — strong passwords, anti-virus software, and only using your private internet server when accessing sensitive info will help to ensure your security.
CATEGORY GIRL'SHEADER GUIDE
APPS
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GIRL'S GUIDE
ALBERT
For: Busy budgeters / increasing your savings Why: It’s basically a mobile savings account. Albert stores your savings for you in an FDIC-insured account. Albert takes monetary amounts that it thinks you won’t miss based on your financial behavior. Part of the algorithm makes sure it does not take from your bank account if it’s too low. It’s free and easy in that it requires minimal interaction. Albert compiles a budget while keeping track of your accounts, spending habits, bills and income, all the while offering budgeting recommendations.
PERSONAL CAPITAL For: Investors / advanced budgeters
Why: This one requires a minimum $100,000 account. It includes recommendations for your assets, a 401(k) analyzer, and a retirement planner. Personal Capital also tracks your spending and has financial advisors and tools for optimizing your investment knowledge.
GOODBUDGET
For: Couples or groups who want to budget and plan together Why: Goodbudget allows you to access the same account from multiple devices. The free version connects to one account and gets you ten “envelopes,” or spending categories, to sort your budget. The paid version gets you an unlimited number of both. It also has features to help you save up for a large purchase or a vacation. Goodbudget shows your spending patterns and budget with simple pictures and graphs for easy understanding. Diving into finances can feel unpleasant, so light a candle, take a deep breath, and repeat after me: I can do this. With the concepts offered by each budgeting app, you can make financial commitments to yourself and feel confident in your future.
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WALLY FOR IPHONE OR WALLY+ FOR ANDROID For: International budgeters
Why: Wally supports virtually all foreign currencies as it tracks your income, expenses, and other requested activities, and it tells you your remaining budget. You can also easily upload pictures of your receipts to keep track of your spending.
Gel is a dedicated writer whose work focuses on lifting up the experiences of marginalized folks, including transgender and gender nonconforming people, people of color, people living with diverse conditions, and people whose lack of representation has created a struggle to be seen as or to even feel human. Gel is currently a student at Towson University pursuing a degree in Creative Writing.
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P H O T O G R A P H Y: N E E D P H O T O G R A P H E R
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CATEGORY WOMAN TO HEADER WATCH
WOMAN
WATCH By Alexandria Pallat
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P H O T O G R A P H Y: J E S S L AT O S
Betsy Pakenas
CATEGORY WOMAN TOHEADER WATCH
Financial planning isn’t a profession many see themselves falling into, but fall into it she did. Betsy Pakenas began working sales for a health insurance company before joining her father’s financial practice, then a part of Legg Mason, in 1998. After completing a lot of on-the-job training, receiving her Certified Financial Planner designation and reading her fair share of industry magazines, she transitioned to a career in financial planning with the desire and call to help others.
With more than 20 years in the industry, Betsy was recently named a Managing Director, Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley – the first Morgan Stanley advisor in Frederick, MD to receive that position. As a financial advisor and managing partner of The Berkheimer Group at Morgan Stanley, she has also been nationally recognized by Forbes as Number 89 on Forbes’ America’s Top Women Advisors in 2019 and Number 23 on Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Advisors for 2019. But don’t let that fool you. In conjunction with her national accolades, she loves her community of Frederick and is an authentic conversationalist. She took time out of her busy schedule to sit down with Sass and discuss how she found herself in her profession and her advice to other women chasing their dreams — whether it’s something they just happen to find themselves in or the profession they’ve dreamed about since childhood.
Who inspired you to venture into financial planning? My siblings would say I didn’t realize I could have my own opinion — one different from my parents — until I was 30. After college, I recognized my strengths were in helping others, and my dad planted the seed. While in college, I was studying Biology and was prepared to take the MCAT junior year when my dad told me that if I wasn’t fired up about becoming a doctor, I should consider a different path. Financial planning is a people business, I wanted to help people. He reminded me I could do that in this field.
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CATEGORY HEADER Make a change, even if it means changing your profession.
than you?” The answer was “no!”, and he helped to clarify the value of what we do.
How do you give back to your community?
There is no typical day. It’s fun that way! Certainly there are meetings with clients or others who may be interested in our services, but there’s also account review, practice management and community involvement. We’re not entrepreneurs in this position, but there’s a freedom that allows us to feel like we are… without the risk. The qualities that women typically share — caring, empathetic, good listeners — are valuable qualities in my profession. And we can bring diversity and diversity of thought to the historically male-dominated industry. There are also more women making their own money or inheriting money, so our clients appreciate seeing more women advisors.
What advice would you give readers about following their passions? If you’re not lit up about what you’re doing, if there’s a disconnect, then you need to do something about that. Make a change, even if it means changing your profession. Take initiative and take control.
How did you get to where you are today? I was given opportunities that not everyone is given, and I took advantage. I appreciate all of those opportunities, but hard work is a part of every success story. It’s also important to surround yourself with great people and to practice gratitude.
How do you reward yourself after a hard day’s work? I get rewarded every day by hanging out with my friends and family — not to mention great clients.
What has been the biggest challenge you have overcome to achieve your goals? The obstacle I think I really experienced was building confidence as I started out. When I was just getting started we experienced the financial crises of the 2000s, back to back, and I had to rebuild my confidence in not only my abilities but also the industry as a whole. I wasn’t happy with the industry, and I was exhausted with self-doubt. I had to look at the expectations I had set for myself and re-evaluate them. It’s important to be realistic with what you can and can’t do and what your expectations really should be. A colleague of mine said to me, “do you think anyone would take better care of your clients
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Alexandria Pallat Alexandria Pallat is a professional writer and editor and blogger at Digital Ink & Parchment. She is also an adoring dog mom and spends her weekends adventuring with her dog, Belle. Visit her online at digitalinkandparchment.com and on Instagram @digitalinkandparchment
P H O T O G R A P H Y: J E S S L AT O S
Describe your typical day.
I got involved early on in my career. I was in my mid 20's when I sat on my first non-profit board. My dad modeled the importance of being a part of the community, and it also brings me great joy so it’s easy to keep doing. Frederick created me, and everything comes back to communities, so it’s a mutual relationship. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for Frederick Health Systems, which used to be Frederick Regional Health. I’ve served as the President of the Rotary Club of Frederick and was the President of Frederick County Commission for Women when they developed the Woman to Woman Mentoring program.
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CATEGORY INSPIRE EMPOWER HEADER
WITH
MARY ELLEN MITCHELL By Lauri Gross
2007 was the beginning of a challenging three-year-long season. Mary Ellen went through a divorce right as the recession hit, and went on to lose four Frederick-area jobs as a fundraiser for non-profits. Her savings account was drained, and Mary Ellen could no longer afford her home. She gave it up in a short sale (this is when the bank writes off a loss by selling a home at lower price which doesn't reflect its normal market value). At the same time as she was losing her home, her youngest child was also about to begin college. Through everything, Mary Ellen maintained a side hustle as a freelance writer. With help and support from 22 SASS MAGAZINE | SASSMAGAZINE.COM
friends and colleagues, she used those skills to launch her reinvention. Rather than play the victim, Mary Ellen recognized others who were hurting even more than herself, particularly those with housing needs and the financial know-how to manage home-ownership. She now has a thriving career focused on helping others — and in doing so has found her personal empowerment. Mary Ellen founded two organizations — Allow Me Consulting and Housing Frederick. Allow Me Consulting helps clients with public relations as well as management and training needs. Housing Frederick creates opportunities for collaborative partnerships, advocates
P H O T O G R A P H Y: P NE A ED R LY P HKOAT T OEGPRHAO P THOE G RR A P H Y
When Mary Ellen Mitchell addresses students in a classroom, she might begin by explaining how much she paid for her outfit. Rather than a show of boastful pride, the discussion is meant to start a conversation about financial decisions. Chances are good that Mary Ellen’s outfit came from a yard sale or thrift store and she uses that fact to illustrate how everyday decisions impact a person’s financial soundness. Mary Ellen acquired her financial smarts the hard way — every element of her personal financial life was destroyed by means largely beyond her control. Having to rebuild and reinvent herself was a matter of survival.
CATEGORY INSPIRE EMPOWER HEADER
for legislation policies to benefit the housing continuum and builds educational programming around affordable housing topics.
How did you evolve from a professional fundraiser to a person helping others with financial education? Friends suggested I move into more of a public relations role. I could use my writing skills, use relationships I had built and do more community relations development work. I took a position with an organization and I developed a financial education program. I took training in credit and budget management, as well as financial coaching. We partnered with other organizations and worked with a lot of volunteers and leaders in the financial education non-profit world in Maryland.
Tell me about the classes. The majority of students wanted to be homeowners one day. We did a lot of work on improving credit scores. I helped people understand the habits necessary to control their finances and improve their credit scores.
In 2017, two weeks after your mom died, a company reorganization meant you were out of work yet again. What happened next? It was a very difficult time, managing grief and trying to figure out what I was going to do to support myself. I rolled everything into Allow Me Consulting — using the United Way Prosperity Center savings match program to start my company. I also launched a nonprofit, Housing Frederick, dedicated to housing and financial stability.
Which was the most difficult of your challenges? The hardest part was being unprepared emotionally to deal with a number of unexpected events. You just don’t know what you can handle until you are put in that situation. The thing that saved me was education — my research. My looking for solutions. And also, the thing that inspired me to want to help other people was realizing that, as an individual, I could still provide direction and assistance to people who were in need.
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CATEGORY INSPIRE EMPOWER HEADER What are you most proud of? I have been transparent about my struggles and what financial education meant to me and I passed those lessons on to my children.
watch them go through that process, to see their self-confidence grow and to see the joy when they take possession of a home is so inspiring. I just wish that for so many more people.
What advice would you share?
What’s next for you?
I challenge people to seek out financial education. There are so many opportunities in Frederick County, and the surrounding region, to learn the freedom that comes from having knowledge about how you manage what money you have.
I am now looking at many groups with housing needs such as special-needs adults — individuals who will need long-term care after their parents are gone. And I would like to see more housing in place that is appropriate for seniors as they age.
What inspires you?
Lauri Gross After more than a decade in corporate PR with Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet, Lauri switched to freelance work, helping clients with corporate communications and media relations. Since 2000, Lauri has been writing feature stories and columns on a freelance basis for local and regional magazines and newspapers in various parts of the U.S.
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P H O T O G R A P H Y: N E E D P H O T O G R A P H E R
P H O T O G R A P H Y: P E A R LY K AT E P H O T O G R A P H Y
I have seen people living at the poverty level or below take advantage of all the opportunities for education and work very hard to build their credit in order to become homeowners. To
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Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and P.A.C.T. Couple Therapist maryliz@marylizaustin.com
www.marylizaustin.com
FEATURE
WOMEN & PHILANTHROPY: From peer-to-peer events to crowdfunding, the opportunities to support causes we care about have increased substantially in recent decades. It has become clear that there is power in philanthropic choice and initiative, which has led to unique opportunities for organizations and citizens to connect and move a mission forward. Combining these unique opportunities with the desire to increase the impact of one’s donation or gift has driven another philanthropic trend — the rise of collective giving groups.
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FEATURE
THE POWER OF
COLLECTIVE
GIVING By Dr. Ashley Waters
What is Collective Giving?
The Benefits of Collective Giving
Collective giving groups are a simple concept, mainly requiring people who have the willingness and ability to give combined with a worthy community cause. By pulling their passions and gifts together, this combination produces a collective philanthropic gift that can often deepen the community impact compared to a single gift from an individual. Ranging in formality and donation size, collective giving groups (sometimes called giving circles) have more than tripled in number in the last decade. Not surprisingly based on philanthropic donor data, women make up 70 percent of the members of these giving groups and nearly 50 percent of the groups are women only. Nationally, women philanthropic groups are undoubtedly changing the face of philanthropy and addressing the issues within their communities. And still, these types of organizations provide much more than the option to combine gifts.
Because collective giving groups vary in size, desired impact and identity, among other factors, these groups offer the opportunity of collective giving to a diverse group of women in a community. According to a study conducted by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University, philanthropic networks (especially those created more recently) are engaging a membership deep in diversity of age, race, religion, socioeconomic status, and thought. Thus, these networks can expand the reach of organizations in which they wish to partner and/or fund. Many groups also go beyond the dollar. Engaging members in volunteerism and contributions of time and talent in addition to financial giving allows the group to solidify its commitment to its community. The same study mentioned previously suggests that members of collective giving groups volunteer significantly more hours compared to donors not in
WINTER 19/20 27
FEATURE
“A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
giving groups. These coordinated efforts are critical in sustaining the impact of the group. Collective giving groups are also more likely to keep their dollars local. Lastly, those involved with collective giving groups gain just as much as they put into the network. Being involved in collective groups offers an opportunity to be educated about local needs and organizations strategically. Donors/members also have the desire to set high expectations for others. The ripple effect occurs as the diversity of thought, organizational engagement, and opportunity to give multiply as the group grows in number and impact.
OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION Given the popularity and success of collective giving and the giving culture of the greater Frederick region, it should come as no surprise that Frederick offers many options for giving in this manner. Most notably is the Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County, which was founded in 2006 and is nearing 400 members. This organization has given over $1.4 million dollars to local nonprofit organizations. Yet, there are many other organizations embracing and multiplying the impact of collective giving.
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100 Women Who Care 100 Women Who Care is a chapter of a national organization with a simple ask – donate $100 four times a year to a local nonprofit. Designed for women who have limited time, but still a strong desire to give, the organization started in Frederick in 2016. Each quarter, the women gather to discuss local organizations based on the theme of that quarter (for example, the organizations most recently discussed all worked with pets). After reviewing each organization’s mission, financial stability, and member excitement, the members vote and decide who gets the lump sum for that quarter. Founder of the Frederick chapter, Donna Thomas, says they are a low key, no-frills type of giving group. “When we bring them the money, they are just in shock. They are brought to tears. We love to learn about organizations and choose who we feel will benefit the most.”
Learn more about 100 Women Who Care at facebook.com/100womenwhocarefrederick
Frederick County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority One of 900 chapters, the Frederick County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta embodies and represents more than 100 years of focus on community. Founded in 1913 on Howard University’s campus, the Frederick County Chapter has approximately 60 active members working in the areas
FEATURE of educational development, economic development, physical and mental health, political awareness and international awareness and involvement. They are especially proud of their scholarship programs and mentoring programs, which serve middle school and high school youths throughout the community. “We can’t work in a bubble and expect to make a difference. Partnership is key to our success,” shared current chapter President, Jan Goodman. “We are simply a group of college-educated women that come from all measures of professions to build Frederick up as a whole.” The Frederick chapter has awarded over $150,000 in scholarships since its charter in 2004.
Learn more about the Frederick County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority dstfcacmd.org
money and respond to needs in the community. One of the group’s main objectives is to feed the less fortunate. They donate money, resources and time to Blessings in a Backpack, Mission of Mercy, Soles of Love, and the Frederick Food Bank, just to name a few. “We are here to do the good works. Yes, this organization provides friendship and fellowship, but we are here to help those in need in any way.” The women also strive to remain flexible and find a way to donate and engage with their time as needs arise. The chapter responds quickly to international, national, and local needs, most recently the hurricane in the Bahamas. Through many annual fundraisers, including a ten day Greek pastry sale, and an active church membership, the funds are gathered and then distributed. “It has been a big part of my life, and many other lives within the church. It is part of our legacy.”
St. Eugenia Chapter of Saints Peter & Paul Ladies Philoptochos Society
Learn more about the St. Eugenia Chapter of Saints Peter & Paul Ladies Philoptochos Society at sainteugeniaphiloptochos.net
As the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Church, the Ladies Philoptochos Society began in 1931. The Greek word Philoptochos translates to “friends of the poor” and in its 88 year history nationally and 22 year history at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Frederick, the women of this collective giving group have dedicated their work to become just that. With a rich history and 31 members the St. Eugenia Chapter is small but dynamic. Longtime member and past President, Donna Moore recalled many of the projects they have done to raise
These organizations and many others in the community are finding power in the collective. Power in the combination of philanthropic energy. We encourage women interested in learning more about collective giving groups to explore the options in Frederick. As Margaret Mead suggests…“A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Ashley Waters is a wife, mom, operations administrator, event planner, community volunteer and an avid organizer. She loves being busy with a purpose and making an impact with her work and within the Frederick community. Ashley aims to help others fit their passions into their lives and continues to work on achieving just the right worklife balance for her many roles. WEB EXCLUSIVE e articles Check out mor ving on gi e bl about charita com sassmagazine.
WINTER 19/20 29
2020
ILLUMINATING INSIGHTS, SPIRITED CONVERSATIONS AND STIMULATING IDEAS
At the Weinberg Center for the Arts DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN
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32 SASS MAGAZINE | SASSMAGAZINE.COM
P H O T O G R A P H Y: JNEESESDI CPAH OPAT T O TGERRASPOHNE RP H O T O G R A P H Y
CATEGORY HEADER FEATURE
FEATURE
PLANNING FOR YOUR
By Rachel Lytle
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW French author and pioneer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry stated, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” As we grow up — especially as women — we are faced with many questions and many options. What do you want to be when you grow up? Where do you see yourself in 20 years? What does happiness mean for you? What legacy will you leave?
WINTER 19/20 33
FEATURE
Jennifer Hess
We all grow up wishing for the best. In order to create the best, we need to have a plan for those wishes — a plan for the future. This, of course, can sound very daunting. How am I supposed to plan out my entire future when I don’t even know what I want for lunch tomorrow? However, this thought-process misses the bigger picture. We don’t need to have all the answers, we just need to have a plan. And by a plan, I mean a guide — something that changes and evolves over time, just as we do, but keeps us on track. Topics often considered when creating a plan are wealth and debt management, investing, life insurance, retirement, estate planning, and long-term health. Life is hectic, so we spoke with some local experts to get the down and dirty on what you need to know.
Jennifer Hess, Director of Operations at Business Management Company in Frederick, says it’s never too late to start planning for your financial future. While everyone has unique goals, prioritizing assets and knowing how to allocate the resources you have available is one of the most important aspects. “A poor financial plan that takes a shotgun approach can result in far less return than a laser-focused financial plan,” she says. “Your Certified Financial Planner should take sufficient time to learn about your goals, understand your short-term and long-term needs, and create a plan that is specific to your life.” Shabri Moore of Moore Wealth agrees that your advisor should be your partner and a resource when it comes to any financial decisions in your life. At her company, they prioritize goals into three categories: needs, wants and wishes. “Needs 34 SASS MAGAZINE | SASSMAGAZINE.COM
P H O T O G R A P H Y: J E S S I C A PAT T E R S O N P H O T O G R A P H Y
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
FEATURE include basic living expenses and healthcare. Wants could be such things as travel, weddings, education, or caring for a family member. Wishes could be such things as a second home, a boat, a plane, or leaving a legacy. A financial adviser can assist you with defining what each goal really means to you.” There is a belief that financial literacy is not a side effect of wealth, but wealth is a side effect of financial literacy. Both Jennifer and Shabri stress how education is a big part of financial planning and taking an initiative on your own is important in addition to having an advisor. “Some easy ways to become more financially literate include attending educational workshops, reading publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Economist, reading books on personal finance (the library has a great selection), and listening to podcasts,” Shabri says. Education also helps inform actions. “There is a Bible verse that says, ‘Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much’,” says Jennifer. “This concept carries through to all aspects of financial health. Wise spending habits, good investment strategies, and forward-thinking are not a gift given after you have achieved wealth. They are habits formed by small, consistent decisions and fostered in tough times.”
LIFE INSURANCE Young folks may question the need for life insurance should they have no dependents, as it is typically purchased if your death would impact a loved one’s finances. However, life insurance can act as much more than just money to cover final expenses and liabilities. It can be used as income for surviving relatives, as well as future expenses related to college, mortgages, and debt.
RETIREMENT Retirement planning is a big project. Obtaining guidance from a financial advisor can help you build a proper savings, fine-tune investments, and identify a tax-efficient strategy appropriate for your life. Retirement plans through your employer are the best place to start. “Invest at least as much as needed to obtain the full company match,” Shabri says. “Every time you get a raise, take one percent of that and increase your contribution to your plan.” Jennifer says it’s tough to figure out an exact dollar figure on how much you need to retire, but a good goal is a post-retirement income of around 80 percent of your pre-retirement salary.
DEBT Many Americans are struggling with student loan and credit card debt. It is ideal to build a strategy to eliminate debt early in your career and while you are young, if possible. The best place to start is to get a true overview snapshot of where your current financial health lies. “Often times, people don’t even know where they currently are. And if you don’t know where you are, you won’t know how to get where you want to go,” Jennifer says. This is where a financial plan, tracking, and behavior modifications come into play. For example, personal loans for credit card consolidation may work for some, but if the root cause of the initial debt has not been identified and removed (overspending habits), the consolidation loan will not fix the problem, but may just add to it, she says. Don’t fret, those aren’t the only options, and financial advisors spend time getting to know you and your habits to find a solution that will work best.
Shabri Moore
INVESTING Investing may not be the first thing on your mind if you’re living paycheck to paycheck, but even something small, like $50 a month, can grow. “If you haven’t already started investing, you’re late,” says Jennifer. “We’ve all seen the compounded interest charts that show the difference between investing at age 25 and investing at age 65. Just start reading and getting familiar with the concepts, lingo, and make an investment.” WINTER 19/20 35
FEATURE
ELDER CARE, ESTATES AND WILLS
LONG-TERM HEALTH
Planning for the future in terms of death and elder care may seem depressing, but it is important. Ruth Waxter, elder and estate planning lawyer in Frederick, explains that you’re not alone – attorneys can assist with challenging issues like wills, estate planning, disability, guardianship, social security benefits, and elder abuse. In addition, when seniors are in crisis, an elder law attorney can put families in touch with vital resources in the community. To make this a more seamless process, every adult should have a will. “Without a will, a person’s assets will be distributed according to the State of Maryland’s laws,” Ruth says. “A will is vital to ensure that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes.” Can’t afford an attorney? Some nonprofit agencies offer free or reduced fee services for people who have limited means — so get a jump on it. All of this should be done at a young age ensuring you make sound choices while you are still healthy. This leads us to planning for long-term health.
Regardless of your age, you will want to have a healthcare financial power of attorney if you were to become incapacitated. “Powers of attorney are the most important documents to have at any age, while you are still living,” Ruth says. You should also prepare an advance directive informing your health care providers of your end of life wishes and whether you want to be on life support should you be faced with a terminal or end stage condition. “Since the decision has already been made [with an advance directive], a family member does not have to make a difficult decision to remove life support.” Truth be told, most significant, noteworthy things in life do not occur without a little planning and a little luck. While we can’t control everything, we can control our WEB C EX LUSIVE preparations. I say we start today. s Why You Are you with me? Read “6 Reason e a Will” on Should Prepar ine.com az ag m sass
Rachel Lytle Southern Maryland native and Penn State Alumna, Rachel works full-time in marketing and is a freelance writer for a variety of women's lifestyle publications. She has a passion for mental health advocacy and enjoys tennis, travel, and spending her spare time with family and friends.
36 SASS MAGAZINE | SASSMAGAZINE.COM
P H O T O G R A P H Y: J E S S I C A PAT T E R S O N P H O T O G R A P H Y
Ruth Waxler
BEHIND EVERY BUSINESS IS A STORY Dynamic Automotive wanted a bank that saw them as more than just a number. Founders José Bueso and Lee Forman started Dynamic Automotive in a private garage. Together with current CEO Dwayne Myers, they’ve expanded the business to new locations, created an apprenticeship program, and built a culture of quality service and giving back to the community. When other banks saw numbers, FCB saw value that went beyond the bottom line. Whether you need a business loan, cash management and merchant services, or day-to-day banking for your business or family, FCB can help with your next chapter. Come say hello!
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FASHION FEATURE
INVESTMENT
FASHION
s d en tr d an e tim g in d an st with By Brittany Raymor
38 SASS MAGAZINE | SASSMAGAZINE.COM
P H O T O G R A P H Y: A S H L E Y B A I L E Y
“I will be able to wear this with everything!” said every woman trying to justify an expensive purchase. We’ve all been there — falling in love with a piece of clothing that’s slightly out of our reach. We try to consider the cost per wear (cost divided by the number of wears) before swiping that credit card. Making a big purchase is a big deal. You will remember the whole experience — where you were, how much you paid, if you were happy or sad, and all the outfits you dream of putting together. But, how many times have you let that expensive piece sit in your closet waiting for the perfect occasion? When you invest in something like a Chanel dress, ANY DAY is the perfect occasion! Special, expensive, pieces are made for wearing, so pull them out and make them wearable for any occasion.
FASHION FEATURE
WINTER 19/20 39
FASHION FEATURE
Evening
First and foremost, try to find investment designer pieces without the designer price tag. Designer consignment stores, like Chic to Chic, are a great place to start your search. While a Chanel dress or Bottega Veneta blazer might typically be closer to a mortgage payment, finding them second hand makes the price more manageable. This also helps offset the cost of any kind of alterations you may have to do down the line. The key to picking a good investment piece is to think of its long term wearability. Look for classic silhouettes that will never go out of style. These pieces are wardrobe staples that you can mix and match with trendy pieces to keep them looking fresh. Two pieces that every woman should have in her closet are a fitted blazer and a little black dress. These pieces are by no means one size fits all, so it makes sense to bite the bullet and find the perfect piece for you, even if that means tailoring them to your size. Follow along for easy ways to take these classic styles from day to night while maintaining a modern edge.
Chanel Dress Evening: A black dress should never be boring. Layer a sequin top over the classic dress for a fun holiday look. Bonus, the longer sleeve will actually keep you warm in cooler weather. Pair with booties to complete the funky look and don’t be afraid to mix metallics!
Work:
Day: This classic sheath silhouette generally lends itself to a more buttoned up look. Play against type with an updated denim bomber jacket and funky heels. Layered jewelry also helps play up the casual vibe.
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P H O T O G R A P H Y: A S H L E Y B A I L E Y
This look screams Rachel Green working for Ralph Lauren (“Friends” reference, anyone?). Layering a button up blouse underneath this Chanel dress gives it an unexpected but totally appropriate business feel. Pile on the pearl accessories to keep the Chanel vibe going — you don’t invest in a Chanel to not let it scream "CHANEL!"
Work
Day
WEB EXCLUSIVE s to Try Read “5 Reason on n” io sh Fa Vintage com sassmagazine.
WINTER 19/20 41
FASHION FEATURE
Bottega Veneta Blazer Day: A major trend this season is to wear a blazer casually. By pairing your blazer with jeans and a t-shirt, you play up this trend without feeling too buttoned up. A funky fringe bag keeps the look feeling fun and playful.
Work: Every woman needs a good fitted blazer for work. Period. Mix it up by pairing your blazer with a fitted dress in a pop of color that will help you stand out at your next meeting. Evening: A blazer is the perfect answer to every woman’s biggest problem when dressing up in colder weather. Elevate the look by draping the blazer over your shoulders.
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Work
Evening
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BEAUTY
&SPLURGE
By Rebecca Carrera
Pinching pennies doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing quality or clean ingredients in your beauty products, and multi-step beauty routines don’t have to break the bank. Here’s exactly where you can save a few bucks and precisely where you should splurge and treat yourself!
SAVE
• Moisturizer doesn’t have to contain fancy ingredients to be effective. Choose a basic, moderately priced, dual functioning day and night moisturizer that hydrates. Keep it simple. • Cleansing cloths are so convenient, yet very costly. If you must use them, Honest Company and Burt’s Bees make decently priced, cleaner and healthier cleansing wipes. You can pick them up on your next Target run. • If you’re into saving your budget and the environment, then the Makeup Eraser is for you. This reusable microfiber cloth removes even waterproof makeup with just warm water. It works like magic and at only $20 for 1000 uses, you can’t beat the price!
SPLURGE
• Serums contain 50% more active ingredients than your regular moisturizers. This is where you want to invest in high quality performance driven products.
Rebecca Carrera Wife, mother, brow guru, green beauty obsessed, clean eater, design lover, and the owner of Maven Beauty Bar in downtown Frederick, Maryland. mavenbeautybar.com
• Your eyes show signs of aging before any other area of your face. At only 1/50th of an inch thick, you’re dealing with paper thin skin. Without proper care, your skin will show dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. Investing in a superior eye cream at an early age can make all the difference in the world. Use something lighter under your make-up during the day and a heavier version at night.
WINTER 19/20 45
TRAVEL
TRAVEL MORE,
SPEND LESS BUDGET-FRIENDLY TIPS TO SATISFY YOUR WANDERLUST By Charissa Hipp
46 SASS MAGAZINE | SASSMAGAZINE.COM
P H O T O G R A P H Y: N E E D P H O T O G R A P H E R
It’s nearly impossible to attach a price tag to travel. Many travel experiences are priceless but let’s face it — satisfying your wanderlust costs money. While a spur-of-the-moment trip may sound exhilarating, coming up with a game plan for travel and executing that plan over a period of time can help save money. Thorough trip planning usually means less unexpected costs and better rates for transportation and accommodations.
CATEGORY HEADER TRAVEL “FILL YOUR LIFE WITH EXPERIENCES, NOT THINGS. HAVE STORIES TO TELL, NOT STUFF TO SHOW.” -UNKNOWN
Start your trip planning by determining your vacation priorities. What do you want most out of a trip? Are you looking to visit a specific location? Do you want to experience a different culture or try new foods? Are you seeking rest, relaxation and some pampering? Once you’ve determined the aspects of your trip that are most important, it’s easier to look for deals and figure out how to cut costs when it comes to the less important factors. One of the best budget-friendly travel trips is to travel out of season, avoiding holidays and peak season costs. After you determine your destination, research the best time to visit. Planning your trip just prior to or after that timeframe is considered the “shoulder season.” It’s often less busy and hotels and airlines lower their prices to attract more customers. If you plan on visiting a touristy destination, compare the cost of staying in a neighboring town. And check out Airbnb or Vrbo properties. If you happen to be booking last minute, you can try negotiating your price by contacting the host before booking. The general rule of thumb for getting the best deals when booking flights is to purchase tickets two months in advance. Buy early in the week — Tuesday is usually the best day — when airlines often adjust fares. Follow all the major airlines on social media, sign up for their rewards programs and subscribe to their enewsletters for the best deals. Budget airlines are fine for short flights and they regularly offer great bargains. Always pack light and take what you can carry. If you forget something, hotels generally have extras like toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream, razors and even phone chargers. Always ask before going out and buying it yourself. Sometimes you can save money by flying through less convenient airports, like flying out of Baltimore-Washington International Airport instead of Reagan National Airport or Dulles International Airport. The key is to be flexible but also factor in the cost of any additional
BUDGET-FRIENDLY
Travel Sites
Apps
Tips
• Pick up last-minute deals online at Jetsetter, Priceline, Hostelworld or the HotelTonight app. • Find the cheapest flights with Momondo. • The KAYAK Explore module asks you to input your location and what you’d like to pay, and then shows you destinations that fit the bill. • Use a credit card with travel rewards so that every dollar you spend goes to your next trip and can earn you a free flight. Compare cards on creditcards.com. • If you’re traveling abroad, get a card with no foreign transaction fees to save on unnecessary costs. Use creditcards.com to see which cards are best. • Use Yelp to find anything and everything local. It’s a great tool to compare businesses, and find nearby restaurants, bakeries or coffee shops!
WINTER 19/20 47
CATEGORY HEADER TRAVEL ALWAYS ASK LOCALS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS INSTEAD OF EATING AT ALL THE TOURISTY RESTAURANTS. CHANCES ARE YOU’LL DISCOVER SOME DELICIOUS HIDDEN GEMS THAT COST LESS TOO! WEB EXCLUSIVE For more travel budget tips, visit sassmagazine.com
ground transportation to get there and back. Opt to travel on a Tuesday, if your schedule allows, and fly economy. Not only are midweek travel prices more wallet-friendly but you’ll also enjoy less crowded airports. Never be afraid to negotiate a better deal over the phone. You can always ask for a better price on your airfare or hotel. Unsold inventory often gets rolled into packaged deals, so don’t be afraid to check them out and see if something works for you. You can save on airfare and hotels, plus packages often include some meals, guided tours and ground transportation. Shop around and see what the prices for each component would be individually. You may be surprised! If you’re planning to get a rental car, book the smallest car at the earliest pickup time possible. At 8 a.m. most customers haven’t returned their rentals and there’s a good chance the lowest-priced compact cars will be out of stock, which means a free upgrade for you. When planning to visit a major city, learn the routes and cost of the light rail, subway and bus systems. Public transportation can save you time and money instead of using a rental car or your own vehicle. Rail passes are definitely the way to go if you’re in Europe and buses are the cheapest option for getting around a city other than walking, which may be another option. When it comes to food and drink, take advantage of complimentary breakfasts as much as possible and stash items like granola bars for a snack later in the day. Also, take a bottle of water with you when you’re out and about. Instead of eating out for every meal, you can always pack a sandwich or some high protein snacks for lunch. If your accommoda-
48 SASS MAGAZINE | SASSMAGAZINE.COM
tions have a kitchen, you can cook and eat in at least one meal a day to save money. Always ask locals for recommendations instead of eating at all the touristy restaurants. Chances are you’ll discover some delicious hidden gems that cost less too! If you don’t have your schedule completely carved out upon arrival, ask hotel and visitor center employees for recommendations. They can provide you with budget-friendly options, tell you about free museums to visit or off-peak days/hours with cheaper pricing, and make you aware of any festivals or events taking place during your stay and must-see national or state park sites. Making wonderful travel memories doesn’t have to cost a fortune! With these tips under your belt, you’ll be a savvy spender seeking out the very best deals. Plus, you'll be to concentrate more on the fun you’re having and less about the money you’re spending.
Charissa Hipp has a passion for connecting people to places through tourism marketing, storytelling, writing and hiking. A wife and mother of three, she encourages others to connect with nature to experience its physical, mental and spiritual benefits. Follow her outdoor adventures on Instagram at @hipphikergal.
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Do you need to prepare for a career transition or simply need a place to start? Led by human resource professionals, this Mentoring Circle will provide you with accountability and help you get fit professionally to prepare you for your next career move. Topics Include: Resume, Interview, Personal Branding, Workplace Etiquette and more
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Are you feeling unsure, overwhelmed, frustrated, annoyed, or any of the other million emotions that we feel as moms of preteens and teens? This Mentoring Circle will give you the support and guidance of a group of understanding moms going through similar issues! Topics Include: Assessing Your Parenting Style, Healthy Communication with Your Tween/ Teen, Effective Behavior Management, Parental Role Modeling and more
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CATEGORY HEADER CAREER
I JUST GOT PAID
NOW WHAT? B Jane Helm
Yes! It’s payday, now what?! That check is quickly burning a hole in your pocket — priority one is to cover basic living expenses, two lies in saving for the future and three
involves having some fun. Sound familiar? There are many ways to utilize your paycheck, but it’s not all about the numbers! Gaining clarity regarding your money beliefs, what emotions those beliefs create, and embracing subsequent behaviors can enhance your decision making at the end of each pay period. Understanding how you think, feel and react to your own money will empower you to make sound financial decisions and build a strong financial future for yourself. WINTER 19/20 51
CAREER We’ve all heard stories of professional athletes and famous — highly compensated — people who end up broke. They had a great income, but without understanding their money beliefs they found themselves in worse financial shape than anticipated. Financial decision making is emotionally based. Below are some examples of how emotional decision making may lead to feeling overwhelmed, hopeless and living paycheck-to-paycheck, along with some advice I would give regarding those emotionally charged thoughts:
What My Emotions Are Telling Me? I don't want to be restricted or keep track of my money. It will all work out. I keep paying my credit card bills, but the balance keeps going up. Why bother?! I would rather have fun than save for an emergency. What are the chances I will need this money? I could just use a credit card. I'm so young, I have plenty of time to save for this in the future. Or, I'm too old to start saving for this now.
Financial Decisions
What Would Jane Say?
Budgeting
Establishing a saving and spending plan can help you find the money to have fun AND meet your financial obligations!
Debt
Short Term Savings
An emergency fund creates a financial foundation to ensure calm emotions when life throws you a curveball. Not relying on a credit card will avoid debt increase.
Retirement Savings
By contributing to a retirement account early, you can take advantage of compound interest over many years! It́s NEVER too late to save for the next phase of your life!
There are numerous ways to begin considering the best use of each paycheck — dare I say the “B” word? That’s right, BUDGET. There are hundreds of different ways to budget your money. Choosing the right approach can be confusing and overwhelming. Where do you start and what’s going to work for your monetary needs? 52 SASS MAGAZINE | SASSMAGAZINE.COM
The best way to pay down debt is to stick to a focused strategy, like the debt snowball or ladder plan.
YOUR BELIEFS AND EMOTIONS PLAY A HUGE ROLE IN HOW YOU SPEND YOUR TAKE HOME PAY.
CAREER
PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOUR EMOTIONS ARE TELLING YOU AND WHAT YOUR NUMBERS ARE SAYING.
Below are some basic areas of spending and the parameters I recommend:
HOUSING:
RENT/MORTGAGE, UTILITIES, PROPERTY INSURANCE AND TAXES
30%
MEDICAL EXPENSES:
15%
TRANSPORTATION:
CAR LOAN, GASOLINE, INSURANCE, MAINTENANCE
15%
FOOD:
(GROCERIES AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS IF PURCHASED TOGETHER)
15%
SAVINGS AND DEBT REPAYMENT: EMERGENCY FUND, RETIREMENT AND DEBT REPAYMENT
FUN/PERSONAL SPENDING:
10%
15%
If you don’t have a clear idea of where your money goes each month, take the time to explore your spending habits. Print out several months’ worth of bank and credit card statements, grab some highlighters and categorize your spending into the basic categories above then calculate the totals for each. You might be surprised at your results! Since most of us use a debit or credit card for that “Fun/Personal Spending” category, we tend to spend more than we realize! Your beliefs and emotions play a huge role in how you spend your take home pay. Pay attention to what your emotions are telling you and what your numbers are saying. With your emotions and numbers aligned, you can have a life of financial empowerment!
Jane Helm is the Principal of Money Mentor Group. As a Certified Financial Coach, Jane combines decades of financial services experience with a degree in social work and psychology to bring positive financial change to her client’s lives. Jane partners with clients to take meaningful and consistent action to achieve a life of financial well-being. As a strategic, visionary thinker, she inspires people to optimize their full potential while maintaining a focus on their personal financial goals.
WINTER 19/20 53
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WELLNESS
YOUR GREEN ENERGY JAM:
Abundan EMBRACING
AN
In 2008, I was craving some brain fuel. I felt pulled to Dr. Martha Beck’s life coaching program to become a certified life coach to infuse my psychotherapy training with new ideas and concepts. However, when I looked into her program, the cost instantly deterred me. Truthfully, it was a lot of cash for a new certification. I put that little wish in a box marked “Not For Me.” In my mind, that program was for other people; wealthier people, smarter people, more successful people. I limited myself in many ways like that. In 2012, the box marked “Not For Me” kept opening her lid. I had a strong desire to learn a new way of thinking and up level my own life. I had read Dr. Beck’s books and watched her interviews on Oprah. Her words both awakened and soothed me. She was the combination of deep wisdom and wicked wit, and I wanted what she was selling. One night, while pacing my home office like a caged lioness in the search of a new adventure, I asked the powers that be to, “show me the money.” Additionally, I asked for some other random signs that this was the direction for me. Then I let it go. You know how this is going to go, my request was granted with gusto. The money showed up by the end of the week in a way I would’ve never imagined. The signs I asked for unabashedly and clearly showed themselves and I signed my ass up
56 SASS MAGAZINE | SASSMAGAZINE.COM
WELLNESS
nce Mindset By Heather Tydings, LCSW-C, Certified Martha Beck Life Coach
for that program. It was my first run in with an (accidental) abundance mindset. I unconsciously challenged the belief that I couldn’t enroll in the big things in life. This pushed me to minimally believe there was a storehouse of green energy/resources that could be tapped into when desire met action. What is an abundance mindset? In 1989, the best selling author, Stephen Covey coined the term abundance mentality or abundance mindset in his well known book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” He posited this mindset was “a concept in which a person believes there are enough resources and successes to share with others.” He compared it to scarcity mindset; which supposes there are finite resources. Scarcity mindset assumes if your friend/neighbor/colleague is successful and living a full and thriving life that she has used up allocated resources thus taking from you. The idea of lack in money, love, sex and self worth is pervasive. Most fabulous humans land in my office to untangle and re-wire one or more of these topics. We learn how to dance with these topics in our early years by listening to how our caregivers discussed and defined them. It is said our beliefs about money start to solidify around the age of three based on the mentality of those we live with and around. Hence, we unconsciously adopt a money mindset from our family’s paradigm. In my family of origin, “there was never enough money.” It was deemed pious in my church community to have nor wish for much. Money was said to be “the root of all evil.” My well intended mother warned me repeatedly that whenever she received an unexpected windfall she knew an expense to match would follow. It sure did. Every.Damn. Time. #becarefulwhatyouwishfor It’s crucial to shine light on and unpack the beliefs we accepted from them. Were your caregivers fiscally responsible? Did they trust that things would work out in their favor? Did they show you how to dig in and develop grit and confidence despite adversity? Did they mirror Ebenezer Scrooge and live a miserly life or were they open and giving with resources?
Psychotherapist and CEO of Presidential Lifestyle, Kiné Corder defines seven different Money Mentalities: • The Spender: this person wants to be rescued or taken care of. They hide their head in the sand when it comes to bills and want others to handle it all for them. • The Blamer: feels powerless. They blame others for their lack of finances. Kine Corder states the blamer is usually broke, blaming and borrowing. They don’t take responsibility for where they are or take guided action to improve their situation. • The Saver: this mentality is strict and inflexible. They believe having money will make them feel safe and confident. However, they never have enough to feel peaceful. • The Enthusiast: this type is impulsive, giving, and reckless. They often are pulled to get rich schemes. They have a difficult time earning and growing money. • The Hero: long suffering and at times naïve. This type rescues others from their poor financial choices. They can be successful and save at times but, driven by guilt, they often don’t have good boundaries with their green energy. • The Artist: detached, conflicted, passive and at times carefree. Often the artist has shame for their financial gains. They tend to have a love/hate relationship with money. • The President: healthy attachment to money. Kine Corder describes them as balanced, wise and disciplined. They know how to prosper and play. Take note of where you land. Do you live with the idea of possibility or depravity?
WINTER 19/20 57
WELLNESS How to adjust your lens: • Cultivate awareness: write down your style or styles and the beliefs that fortify them. Document every belief you inherited to see them in black and white. Some of them are quite comical when read in ink. • Question your beliefs. Often they are such a cemented part of our thinking that it feels like we are questioning a universal law. Write a healthier belief next to the old one. Instead of “I am a financial failure or “I am at the mercy of my circumstances,” think “I am working my way up to be a stellar money manager” or “how can I look at this creatively and from multiple angles to see all the possible solutions.” Edit out the old thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations. • Get into the feeling state of having more than enough. What does it look and feel like to have what you desire? Fill it out in Technicolor. Money is just paper; it’s value is what you believe it can bring you. Go visit that feeling state often. Your brain will open up more windows when it’s in a calm state. It can show you options and out of the box ways to get what you crave, need and desire. Dr. Martha Beck says your real home address is peace. When you go to that “home” a plentiful life knows where to find you.
• Be fair and generous with others. Look for opportunities that feel good to you. Be gracious as you learn and grow. Like attracts like. • Gratitude. As far as we know for sure, we are only planted on this verdant earth once (though I always leave room for the possibility of more). One seemingly small but easy way to add instant value to your day or life is to have a practice of gratitude. There are numerous studies demonstrating the connection between being grateful and abundance. Recently, in a state of overwhelm, I realized I was feeling this because the things I had asked for in life were ALL showing up, in very quick succession. I had to stop and remind myself, “I requested all of this, so it’s time to show and say thanks.” Abundant thinking puts you in the CEO position of your life. You execute choices, develop powerful new paradigms and seek possibilities about how to rewrite your life script. There are infinite ways to grow your life and challenge your mindset. Explore the boundless ways to live big, bold and badass while you are here.
Heather Michelle Tydings is a Certified Martha Beck Life Coach and the owner of Own Your Evolution, where she offers psychotherapy and life coaching. www.ownyourevolution.com
58 SASS MAGAZINE | SASSMAGAZINE.COM
P H O T O G R A P H Y: N E E D P H O T O G R A P H E R
• Concrete goals. Put those down in words or pictures. Are there specific skills you need to move closer to your desires? Break down your goals into very small, digestible steps. Is there a book, YouTube video or training that would get you closer to your goal? Start there. You gain momentum when you take small actions.
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2019
RECIPE
& s e i l l e B y h t l Hea s t e l l a W Happy By Sarah Kurtanich
Nourishing yourself with healthy foods in the winter can sometimes feel like a challenge. There isn’t as much color in the produce department and many local farmers markets have gone into hibernation for the season. I’m here to help. I’ve put together a list of 12 budget friendly items that are often found on my grocery list during the cold months. They make getting a healthy meal on the table super simple no matter the time of day and they’re easily scalable depending on the number of folks you’re trying to feed. Added bonus — just about all of these recipes are toddler approved!
Sarah Kurtanich is the Chief Eating Officer at Taste Frederick Food Tours, the co-host of The Mustache Mesa podcast, a Holistic Health Coach and Wild Woman Project Circle Leader. She believes in enjoying your food, taking care of yourself and doing things that make you feel good. She and her husband call Frederick home with their daughter and golden retriever. You can find Sarah digitally on her website, BySarahRae.com and on Instagram @sarahkurtanich. 60 SASS MAGAZINE | SASSMAGAZINE.COM
RECIPE WINTER GROCERY STAPLES • Whole Chicken (You can go the rotisserie route or you can roast your own — look online for simple roast chicken recipes.)
•F lour (I usually look for an organic, unbleached white all purpose flour.)
• Sweet Potatoes
• Carrots/Celery/Onions/Garlic
• Greens
• Bananas
• Spinach, kale, swiss chard or a combo of all three are great and very versatile.
•B one Broth
• Avocados • Eggs
• Tortillas
•P esto (We always have this in our fridge, sometimes homemade, sometimes store-bought. It’s great on just about anything!)
• Spaghetti Squash
TOSS TOGETHER IDEAS
EASY RECIPES
• Breakfast Tacos — tortillas, scrambled eggs, sautéed onions and sweet potato (don’t limit yourself to breakfast hours when eating these though).
•P ancakes — 2 bananas, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup flour of your choice. Mash bananas in the bowl, add eggs and whisk in. Add almond flour and stir until well combined. Cook over medium heat — we like to cook our pancakes in pan melted butter.
• Chicken Tacos — tortillas, chicken, avocado, chopped onions. • Cold Weather Salad — Greens, chicken, roasted sweet potatoes & onions, avocado. • Chicken Dinner — Chicken, cooked spaghetti squash, sautéed veggies & pesto (use whatever veggies you have on hand — onions, garlic, carrots, celery are a great base). • Green Smoothie — Banana, greens & avocado smoothie
Pro tip...
Don’t forget to season your food! I always have high quality sea salt and a few dried herbs in my pantry. We also try to keep a favorite hot sauce and quality (low sugar) salad dressing on hand.
•S tuffed Sweet Potatoes — prick sweet potatoes with a fork and roast at 425º F until fork tender. Once cool, stuff them with chicken, avocado and whatever condiment(s) suit your fancy like hot sauce or ranch dressing. •F ried Avocado Wedges — dredge some avocado wedges in eggs and flour and fry them until golden and crispy. •S weet Potato Toasts — slice sweet potatoes so you get large flat pieces about 1/2 inch thick. Roast them at 375º F until you can pierce the “toasts” with a fork. Top with just about anything — mashed avocado and a fried egg or greens and shredded chicken.
WEB EXCLUSIVE , Read "Cook on Sunday Eat All Week" on sassmagazine.com
WINTER 19/20 61
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