On my drives to visit my mom at her assisted living home in Petaluma, California, I reflect on how lucky my siblings and I are that she is comfortable and well cared for and that my parents were vigilant savers. Mom will be 91 in July. She voluntarily moved into an assisted living home in [...]
Prepare to Care For Aging Parents
by Cathy Curtis on May 16, 2012 in Healthcare and Money, family finances, women and finances, women and financial planning
Where Creativity and Finance Connect
by Cathy Curtis on May 7, 2012 in The Happiness Spreadsheet, cash flow planning
It was a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon and the light was streaming in the windows of the cozy art studio. A long table was covered in butcher paper and cheese and crackers, frittata and chocolate bars were ready to be consumed. As Tamara and I finished getting the room ready for our workshop, the attendees [...]
A Spreadsheet for Your Happiness
by Cathy Curtis on April 20, 2012 in Couples and Money, The Happiness Spreadsheet, Women and Money, budgeting help, cash flow planning, financial advice for women
I came up with a brainstorm in my usual place (the shower) one morning. I had been thinking about the cash flow work I do with my clients and how it almost always initiates a discussion about what they want more of in life. It usually goes like this: We review the fixed or essential [...]
Strategic Philanthropy: How to Feel Good About Your Giving
by Cathy Curtis on March 13, 2012 in ethical investing, socially conscious investing, socially responsible investing, value based investing
Does this sound familiar? December rolls around and your mailbox is full of solicitations from charities and non-profit organizations that need your money. You get busy with the holidays—parties, family, travel—and on December 31, you realize that you haven’t made any donations. You kick yourself but realize there is no way you’re going to get [...]
Underwater on Your Mortgage? You May Have Another Chance to Refinance for a Lower Payment
by Cathy Curtis on March 6, 2012 in Home ownership, mortgage financing
On October 24, 2011, President Obama announced changes to HARP (Homeowner Affordable Refinance Program) to allow more underwater homeowners to qualify for the benefit. This new program was dubbed HARP 2.0. Each mortgage lender was allowed to set its own schedule for implementing the enhancements. For example, lenders needed to re-program their automated underwriting systems [...]
12 Simple Steps to Financial Success
by Cathy Curtis on December 29, 2011 in Women and Money, budgeting help, cash flow planning, family finances, financial planning for savvy women, simple truths about money, women and finances, women and financial planning
A new year is almost upon us—always a good time to look towards the future and recommit to past goals or create new ones especially when it comes to our personal finances. Just in time to help with your goal-setting, here is a list of 12 simple steps you can take with your money in [...]
Book Review: The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money
by Cathy Curtis on December 13, 2011 in comprehensive financial planning, financial plan, simple truths about money, women and financial planning
As a financial advisor, I published my free ebook, The 10 Simple Truths About Money, because I strongly believe that it’s true that, “Learning financial concepts and managing money can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. There are simple truths about money that can change your life.”
Revisiting: Contrary to Popular Opinion, You Were Not Born to Shop
by Cathy Curtis on November 18, 2011 in Women and Money, budgeting help, cash flow planning, financial advice for women, financial plan, financial planning, financial planning for savvy women, professional women, women and finances, women and financial planning
Contrary to popular opinion, you were not born to shop. If you are a woman who loves clothes and fashion (c’est moi) this may be debatable. However, most of us have to curb our enthusiasm for adornment lest we wreak havoc on our cash flow and personal net worth. Over the years, I’ve developed a [...]
Women and the Media, Revisited.
by Cathy Curtis on September 26, 2011 in Women and Money, women and finances, women and financial planning
Last week, I attended a screening of Jennifer Seibel Newsom’s new film, Miss Representation. It was a fun night out with the girls on a beautiful summer evening, but the movie’s content wasn’t uplifting, nor was it meant to be. The film documents the role of media in today’s society and how it marginalizes women [...]
Stock Market Volatility Doesn’t Imply Direction of the Stock Market – It’s The Price We Pay for a Higher Return
by Cathy Curtis on September 15, 2011 in financial planning, investment advisor, investment management, stock market, wealth manager
Stock market volatility doesn’t imply direction of the stock market – it’s the price we pay for a higher return. Repeat this phrase to yourself whenever you feel anxiety overcoming logic and you’re tempted to sell your stocks into cash. After you calm down, take time to review your portfolio to determine whether it’s allocated in [...]
About Cathy Curtis
Cathy Curtis is an independent fee only Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and investment advisor who specializes in the finances of women, their families and businesses.
The Happiness Spreadsheet
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Financial Planner Helps You Discover Your Money Personality
January 18, 2010
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Fee Only Financial Planner Interviews Abby June 23, 2009
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Women And Money: Primp Your LinkedIn Profile
March 6, 2010
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Financial Planner on Why You Weren’t Born To Shop (Simple Truth #3)
February 20, 2010
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Women and the Media, Revisited.
September 26, 2011
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Prepare to Care For Aging Parents
May 16, 2012
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Where Creativity and Finance Connect
May 7, 2012
- A Spreadsheet for Your Happiness April 20, 2012
- Strategic Philanthropy: How to Feel Good About Your Giving March 13, 2012
- Underwater on Your Mortgage? You May Have Another Chance to Refinance for a Lower Payment March 6, 2012
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Cathy Curtis: Hi Maria, Money talks! For sure. Cathy...
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Tamara Holland: Way to go, Cathy. This is a great post about the ...
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Cathy Curtis: Hi Candyce, Thanks for your comment. Yes, I agree...
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Candyce Edelen (@CandyceEdelen): Great points, Cathy. With the substantial increase...
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maria: I really appreciate the fact that in all the bad n...
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