The Latest Place to Practice Mindfulness-Your Financial Plan | Guiding You Forward

The Mountain America Credit Union podcast lounge has been a much more thoughtful place lately. Recently, we’ve talked about overcoming psychological barriers when it comes to money, how physical and mental health can lead to financial health and now we’re talking about mindfulness and money.

We’re so lucky to have Cassandra Fuentes, financial education manager at Mountain America, to talk us through the specifics.

Watch the podcast video above to learn:

• Why thinking about your financial plan as scaffolding may be more beneficial.

• How to use your values to define your “why.”

• How having an “accountabili-buddy” can help you reach your milestones.

• How being more mindful, and using the STOP method, can give you more insight into your finances.

Financial success is often a matter of reframing how we think about money. Instead of a ladder, where you move quickly from goal to goal, Cass explains how thinking about your financial plan as scaffolding may give you a more secure, sustainable strategy.

Values play a big part, too. One of Cass’s favorite things to teach people about finances is showing them how to use their values to define their “why”—who you want to become. She explains how leading with your values keeps your “why” in focus and, consequently, helps you reach the milestones that are most important to you.

Staying accountable is a huge piece of the plan, too. If it’s been challenging for you to stick to a budget or achieve financial goals in the past, consider getting an “accountabili-buddy”. Cass didn’t coin this term, but she loves it! An accountabili-buddy is a trusted friend, family member or financial guide with whom you can discuss your values, goals and milestones. When you commit to doing something, they are there to ask you how it’s going. You may even find this creates an opportunity to return the favor!

Lastly, Cass shares something you don’t hear about very often when discussing finances—mindfulness. The STOP method gives us a strategy to realign ourselves with who we want to be. It involves slowing down, taking note of our thoughts, opening up to our feelings and, ultimately, pursuing our values. Watch the video above to learn more about this mindfulness strategy along with other useful tips.