When you think of the word ‘Financial’ what comes to mind? Does it make you think of all the things that cause you stress? Joy? Possibilities? Constriction? Expansiveness?
Finances are a central part of every family’s life. Every family has many connotations and associations to what money is to them. This often is born out of past experiences, family backgrounds, and specific financial situations that a family lives.
But money is simply a neutral tool that can be the source of great generosity, abundance, expansiveness and joy, or it can be the source of stress, constriction, frustration, and friction.
What will make the difference?
If you looked at money the same way one views food, it would be easier to understand how something so essential to survival can be the source of great joy or the reason for great distress. If food is easy to come by, nourishing and filling, and accomplishes what it is meant to it is a great source of sustenance. If food becomes out of hand and begins to take on a form of it’s own, it can often wreak havoc in the health and well-being of an individual.
What makes the difference?
The key is in how the individual relates and goes about acquiring, planning for, and relating to food. AKA Finances 😉
With food it’s easier to see how it is something that a person can decide how to acquire, plan, and design what they want to include in their diet.
With money, many people mistakenly think that money is an external force that has jurisdiction over them, instead of the other way around.
But like any powerful force, money is something that when people learn how to manage it well, the money will follow the order imposed on it. But when left unchecked, the money will take on it’s own seemingly force of power and it will seem as if the money is controlling a person.
Enter the world of Financial Coaching.
When you think of the word Coaching what comes to mind?
Here too people have all kinds of preconceived ideas about what coaching is. And definitely what financial coaching is. Whatever your idea of coaching is, let us tell you what financial coaching at RSK is all about.
A Financial Coach is an objective person that is well-versed in the topics of finances that help a family establish FINANCIAL STABILITY. The coach takes an objective approach and is focused on helping a family learn how to flip the order of power. Instead of a family feeling like their finances has a power of its own, a financial coach can help a family learn how to start proactively managing their finances so that they are directing, planning, and telling their money where they want it to go.
Through the process of financial coaching, the coach helps a family first identify their current financial situation, story, habits, mindsets, tools, tricks, and approach. Then the coach can help the family start taking practical steps to turn the ship around.
The coach takes in the whole picture. The couple’s background, financial history, financial priorities, challenges, unique circumstances and integrates all of it with the financial principles of stability. The coach develops a trusting relationship with a couple and helps them navigate their unique financial situation, all the while encouraging them to move in the direction of financial stability consistently and sustainably.
A financial coach meets with a couple over the course of a few months and allows them to learn and integrate their next steps of financial planning and then to go home and live it throughout the month. Then they will bring back to the meeting success, suggestions, and questions for how to move to the next rung in the ladder of stability.
This process is rewarding and life changing. A couple might enter financial coaching with any reality of finances playing out in their lives every month. They will watch their finances, marriage, and entire family transform and shift as they proceed with the coaching process. And when they complete the financial coaching program they will observe how vastly different their mindset, relationship, and management of finances are.
They will have new associations, connotations, and beliefs about what money is and how it operates. And this new set of ideas is what they will be able to invest in their children and family.
What is Financial Coaching?
When you think of the word ‘financial,’ what comes to mind? Does it bring up feelings of stress, joy, possibilities, or perhaps a sense of constriction or expansiveness? For most people, finances are one of the central, and often most emotionally charged, aspects of family life. Each family carries its own unique connotations and associations with money, shaped by past experiences, family history, culminated beliefs, and the financial circumstances that they navigate day in and day out.
But here’s the truth: Money, at its core, is simply a neutral tool. It can be the source of great generosity, abundance, and joy. It can also become the source of stress, frustration, constriction, and friction. The difference between these two outcomes lies largely in how individuals relate to their finances, how they plan and manage money, and how they feel empowered or disempowered by it.
Money as a Tool: The Same Way We Think About Food
Let’s use an analogy to further understand this dynamic. If you consider food—another essential part of life—it becomes easier to grasp how something that is vital for survival can also be a source of great joy or distress. Think about how food can nourish and sustain us when it’s accessible, nutritious, and consumed in balanced amounts. Food can be an enjoyable part of life, fostering community, pleasure, and health when it’s handled properly. However, if food becomes out of control—if we eat mindlessly, overindulge, or develop unhealthy habits—it can quickly turn into a source of stress and harm, negatively affecting our physical and emotional well-being.
What is the key difference between food that nourishes and food that harms? It lies in the relationship and approach we take toward it. If food is treated with respect, planning, and mindfulness, it can enrich our lives. If it is neglected or misused, it can lead to problems.
Similarly, money is a tool. It can work in our favor if we learn how to manage it with intention, care, and a structured approach. If we let money control us—treating it as an external force that dictates our choices—then it will create chaos. On the other hand, when we learn how to manage money effectively, money will follow the order we impose on it, just as a well-balanced diet will support our health and well-being.
Understanding Financial Coaching
Enter the world of financial coaching, where the goal is to flip the script on how we view and interact with money. When most people think of “coaching,” they may envision a variety of different ideas. Coaching can take many forms—from life coaching to business coaching, and everything in between. But what exactly does financial coaching entail?
At its core, financial coaching is about empowering families and individuals to take control of their financial destinies. A financial coach is an objective, knowledgeable professional who works with clients to help them achieve financial stability and success. Unlike a financial advisor who may focus primarily on investments, taxes, or financial products, a financial coach focuses on guiding clients through the personal and emotional aspects of money management, helping them build habits, mindsets, and strategies that lead to long-term financial stability.
At RSK, our approach to financial coaching is designed to meet each family where they are, taking into account their unique circumstances, financial history, challenges, and priorities. Our coaches are skilled at creating a personalized plan that addresses the specific needs of the family, helping them shift their relationship with money in a way that fosters peace of mind and financial security.
How Financial Coaching Works
The process of financial coaching begins with an in-depth exploration of the family’s current financial situation. The coach helps them identify key aspects of their financial “story” including their habits, mindsets, motives, emotional triggers, and financial tools currently in use. This deep dive provides a comprehensive view of how money is managed in their household and reveals any limiting beliefs or unhealthy patterns that may be contributing to stress and instability.
Once this initial stage is complete, the coach works with the family to create a clear, actionable plan to improve their financial situation. The focus is on proactive steps—helping the family take control of their finances rather than feeling like they’re at the mercy of external forces. The coach will help the family prioritize their goals, such as paying off debt, saving for emergencies, or investing in the future. They will also help the family design a budget that aligns with their values and life goals, ensuring that they are living within their means while still making room for their dreams and aspirations.
But financial coaching isn’t just about creating a plan—it’s about creating a lasting shift in mindset. Throughout the process, the coach provides ongoing support, accountability, and encouragement. They’ll help the family navigate obstacles, adjust their plan as necessary, and celebrate their successes along the way. The goal is not just to help the family “get by,” but to help them thrive financially in a sustainable, stress-free manner.
The Role of the Financial Coach
A financial coach takes a holistic approach, addressing not only the practical aspects of money management but also the emotional and psychological factors that play a role in financial decision-making. For example, if a couple comes to the coach with a history of financial strain or a mindset of scarcity, the coach will work with them to reframe their thinking and approach money from a place of abundance and possibility. This is crucial because financial decisions are rarely purely logical; they are often deeply influenced by our emotions, fears, and past experiences.
The relationship between the coach and the family is built on trust and respect. The coach acts as a guide and a sounding board, helping the family develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make sound financial decisions on their own. The coach is not there to make decisions for them but to provide the tools, insights, and support needed for them to confidently manage their finances.
Over the course of several months, the coach will meet with the family regularly to assess their progress, discuss challenges, and adjust the plan as necessary. Each session serves as a stepping stone, moving the family closer to their financial goals while also building their knowledge and capabilities along the way. The results of this process are not just financial; families will experience improved communication, stronger relationships, and a greater sense of financial peace.
The Transformational Power of Financial Coaching
The transformation that occurs during financial coaching is nothing short of life-changing. When a family enters financial coaching, they may be dealing with any number of financial challenges—from living paycheck to paycheck, to dealing with debt, to feeling uncertain about their financial future. Over time, as they begin to implement the strategies and insights gained through coaching, they will notice significant changes. Their financial picture will improve, but more importantly, their mindset and relationship with money will evolve.
As a family progresses through financial coaching, they begin to see money as a tool they can manage, rather than something that controls them. They will develop healthier, more empowered beliefs about money, and will begin to approach their financial decisions with confidence and clarity. This new mindset will not only transform their financial situation, but it will also positively impact their relationships, their well-being, and their overall sense of security.
Once the coaching program is complete, families will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to maintain financial stability on their own. They will have new connotations and associations with money, seeing it as a powerful resource to achieve their goals and improve their lives. Most importantly, they will be able to pass on these new beliefs and practices to their children, setting the stage for future generations to thrive financially.
Conclusion
Financial coaching is more than just budgeting and saving—it’s about changing the way you relate to money, improving your mindset, and building a solid foundation for long-term financial success. Whether you want to know that you are managing your money efficiently, struggling with debt, unsure of how to start saving, or simply looking to gain more control over your finances, a financial coach can provide the guidance, support, and tools you need to transform your financial future. By empowering families to take charge of their finances, financial coaching creates lasting, positive change that affects not just the finances involved but the entire family.
