Score with These Buzzworthy Books & Summer Essentials

APPOINTMENT TELEVISION

May I Have Your Attention Please

World Cup mania has officially arrived and for the first time ever, three countries in North America – Canada, the United States, and Mexico – are hosting. The group stage is underway and it has not disappointed. From unlikely nil-nil draws, fit players and entrepreneurial WAGs, to the world’s tidiest fans, there’s something here for everyone.

While the ticket prices may be jaw dropping and the positive economic impact to these host cities debatable, in these divisive times it’s encouraging to see so many people come together for the most beautiful game.

SUMMER READS

Three Books for Your Beach Bag

As we mark the fifth federal celebration of Juneteenth and the accompanying long weekend, consider adding one of these books to your summer reading stack. Each one is part of Filuent’s summer reading list and reflects something we believe deeply: that the best financial decisions start with knowing yourself, and great books have a way of helping with that. This summer, we’re reading about family, financial autonomy, and what we actually value; no graphs or complicated financial jargon, we promise.

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

A tradwife influencer travels back to 1855 to live in the reality of what she’s been cosplaying online. Already optioned by Anne Hathaway to become a movie, this book is equal parts satire, suspense, and commentary on motherhood and marriage in America.

Strangers by Belle Burden

Belle Burden’s twenty-plus-year marriage ends in an instant during the first days of lockdown, leaving her to untangle a messy financial situation and confront her decision to leave a high-paying career as an attorney to stay home with her children. No stranger to conscious uncoupling herself, Gwyneth Paltrow has been tapped to portray Burden in the Netflix film adaptation.

This book is a must-read for every woman, particularly those who have deferred financial decisions to the higher-earning spouse, and will be the topic of discussion for Filuent for most of July.

This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman

This one comes personally recommended by a well-read friend of Filuent, and we don't take those lightly. If you loved the family drama and dynamics in Nobody Wants This (and wondered if it was semi-biographical), Allegra Goodman’s take on a thirty-year family feud is for you.

WHAT’S SAVING MY LIFE RIGHT NOW

The $13.99 item I can’t live without

As World Cup fans visiting America can attest, people like things big in the USA. But that desire for what’s always bigger and better (read: more expensive) can sometimes distract us from the small choices that can have a big impact.

Don’t worry, I would never ask you to give up your daily latte. Instead, I’d encourage you to think about one inexpensive purchase that would add a little more ease to your life.

For me, that meant spending $13.99 on a second deodorant that now lives exclusively in my carry-on, instead of relying on myself to remember the one under my sink before every overnight or summer getaway. It’s a tiny purchase, but it removes one more thing from the mental checklist. And when you are already carrying the logistics for yourself, your family, your work, and your money, fewer tiny decisions can feel surprisingly freeing.

Over time, I’ve built a small travel kit of dedicated items I no longer have to remember to pack:

• an eye mask,

• a reading light, and

• a dual-port iPhone charger.

None of these are affiliate links, simply items that have made my life a little easier.

That’s often the Filuent lesson, too: financial ease does not always come from one dramatic overhaul. Sometimes it starts with noticing the small frictions and giving yourself permission to solve them simply.

Happy reading and safe travels!

Lara Bubalo Manor

President & CEO

Filuent

Fireworks vs FIRE

The former causes your dog to need anxiety meds, while the latter is taking over Reddit forums. FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early, and the movement has set the internet abuzz over the past few years. Not surprisingly, we have some thoughts:

Pros

• Makes Money Part of the Discourse

Women, in particular, are acculturated to never talk about their personal finances unless it’s in relation to consumer spending (see “Women Be Shoppin” memes), which contributes to the ongoing gender pay and wealth gaps.

• Facilitates Goal Setting

Is there any better feeling (albeit perhaps fleeting) than setting a goal and hitting it?

• Increases ⬆️ Individuals Savings Rate

In 1960, the average personal savings rate was 10.4%. In May of this year, it was 4.5%. For those of you not reading this letter with Excel open, that’s an approximate 56.7% DECREASE (down arrow).  While there are also some systemic factors at play behind these rates, generally at Filuent, we’re in favor of people having strong personal savings.

• Mindful consumption  

If you’re reading this blog, we have a general sense of your wardrobe and purchasing habits. No judgment. May the person among us who has not over-ordered on Amazon and then missed the return window cast the first stone.

Cons

• Rigidity

FIRE can be like a crash diet for your finances. It sounds great at the beginning but by day three when you’re craving some [insert verboten food], and go back to your old habits without making any sustainable lifestyle changes. If you’ve made it this far in life without being personally affected by SnackWells or the South Beach diet, we applaud you and are genuinely envious.

• Incompatibility with Evolving Lifestyle

FIRE may sound great to a single 22-year-old recent college grad with no debt, but their future partner may not want to live in the same studio apartment for the rest of their days. Moreover, what happens to one’s well-laid plans if you get married, have kids, or adopt some fur babies? Because, NEWS FLASH, those initial numbers won’t be sustainable.

• Loooong time horizon

If you want to withdraw $40k per year, you’ll need $1M invested to reach FIRE. That takes a lot of time, and a lot of sacrifices.

• You’re retired. So now what?

If you’ve never worked to identify what makes you tick as a person outside of your 9-5, retirement’s going to feel empty.

Numerical goals are great but at the end of the day without connection and joy, what good is retirement?

What’s Next?

Filuent can help you streamline and simplify your finances to live your wealthy lives now and in the future. Sign up for your complementary 30-minute introductory call to see if we would be a good fit to work together.

Know someone else on a financial journey who could use our help? Please send them our way.

What is Filuent?

Filuent offers compassionate 1:1 financial coaching with a focus on values-based spending.

We meet individuals wherever they are on their journey to becoming more financially fluent – whether that's covering the financial vocabulary you never learned in school, creating a budget for the first time, or acting as your outside accountability partner. Raise your hand if you are like us and fans of group fitness classes.

We believe that alignment between values and spending = happiness, and Filuent can help you streamline and simplify your finances to live your wealthy lives now and in the future.

Follow us on social media and sign up for your complementary 30-minute introductory call to see if we would be a good fit to work together.

Know someone else on a financial journey who could benefit from outside accountability? Send them our way.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.