On Sunday, February 19th I was excited to see “Oprah’s Next Chapter with Tony Robbins” on OWN. I knew it would be interesting, but I had no idea it would be life changing. Many of us know of Tony Robbins from his late night infomercials. We also know of him as a world renowned self-help guru.

He offered many gems on the show that I will process in the upcoming weeks and months. Robbins talked about the stories we tell ourselves and the meanings we give them. At one point he asked a lady in the audience to tell him about her joy and she rose up and told him about her pain. He says we connect through our pain and its often a repeated pattern.

I am at a place where I am open to growth and change in my life, so I was open to learning from this episode. He got my full attention when he mentioned in his ‘Unleash the Power Within’ seminar that many of us have something that blocks us each time we try for that break-through.  To coin Oprah’s phrase, that was my ‘aha moment.’

That statement haunted me throughout the evening and into the following days. I know I have not yet reached my full potential, but it never occurred to me it could be due to a mental block.

Two mornings later as I worked out, an old memory surfaced that I had never given much significance. This time I followed through and focused on what it meant. Mr. Robbins gives much credence to the meaning we place on events, situations and the happenings in our lives. He states that we all have limiting beliefs that affect our decision-making and how we live our lives.

My memory was of my fourth grade teacher. Even at eight years old, I knew she did not like me. There were many slights, but the major one happened at the end of the school year when she decided to hold me back in the fourth grade.

Fortunately, we moved that  year and I had to transfer to a new school. Once my records were reviewed and I was given a test, I was promptly promoted to the fifth grade. I am happy to say I was never held back since and had always performed above average in school.

The damage, however, had already been done. I had already placed a disempowering meaning on that incident with the fourth grade teacher. It left me unconsciously believing there would always be something standing in the way of my success.

Why would I choose that meaning when I was not held back in the end? I could have easily chosen to believe that I would always find a way to achieve my objective.

There were many lessons in “Oprah’s Next Chapter,” but my major lesson was I am the only one standing in my way. My fourth grade teacher didn’t even have the power to stand in my path when I was eight years old. She certainly does not have that ability now.

So from that two hour segment, I have learned to empower that eight year old girl. I have also emerged from that episode with Tony Robbins added to my list of dream mentors alongside Oprah Winfrey.

The ‘Unleash the Power Within’ seminar comes to New York on March 29th – April 1st. Robbins even got Oprah to do his trademark firework at this event in Los Angeles. Yeah, this is definitely a hot ticket.

The path to prosperity calls for great attention and care to our finances. You earn, budget, spend and save. There is another step that comes with risk, but can be a key determinate to your wealth. I am talking about investing in stocks and bonds.

If you have been considering entering the world of investment, but felt overwhelmed by information and data, you should take a look at Betterment. It is a simple way to get started until you increase your investing know-how.

The set up is as easy as opening up an online savings accounting. It operates a lot like a discount brokerage, you will have the option of buying both stocks and bonds. Simplicity makes this tool very attractive to the new investor.

They use index Exchange-Traded Funds to help you work towards your goals. Betterment likens itself to a savings account and has been criticized for that comparison, mainly because you do not risk losing your money in a savings account. On the other other hand, a savings account does not grow your money in an appreciable manner either.

There are no minimum balances or transaction fees associated with Betterment, but you do pay for their management of your account on an annual basis. An account with $0 to $25,000 will pay $0.9% in fees and one with over $500,000 pays 0.3%.

Your account is rebalanced automatically to maintain your desired asset allocation. They also automatically reinvest your dividends. These are just some of the slightly intimidating factors that would cause one to procrastinate in investing on their own.

Betterment simply calls for you to sign-up and link it to your checking account for ease in transferring your money. You also determine your portfolio allocation during this process. For this you will likely take your age and goals into consideration. If you select the 80/20 investment strategy of 80% in stocks and 20% in bonds, the site will buy your ETF accordingly.

Betterment is SIPC insured, that means it is protected by the Securities Investor Protection Agency. Your assets are protected up to $500,000 against the company going bankrupt.

This is a good way to start investing, it moves you out the someday phase and into the here-and-now. Once you have increased your investment knowledge and sophistication, you can always move on to the other discount brokerage houses with the confidence of a seasoned professional.

As savvy women in control of our financial destiny, we should be aware of the rate our money is taxed. There is a difference when it comes to our marital status. Yes, the federal government is as marriage minded as your mother. Who knew? The proof is in the numbers below.

Federal income tax brackets range from 10% to 35% whether you file as single, married filing jointly or married filing separately. There is little change in the rates from 2010.

Make sure your accountant or tax preparer are not the only ones who know about your money. You earned it, you spend it, you should also know how much Uncle Sam gets. The filing deadline is Tuesday, April 17th, don’t wait until then to find out his cut.

Take a look at the numbers below and see where you are now, and plan where you want to be for the 2012 tax year. Are those wedding bells I hear? LOL!

Single Filing Status

• 10% on income - $0 to $8,500
• 15% on income - $8,500 to $34,500
• 25% on income - $34,500 to $83,600
• 28% on income – $83,600 to $174,4000
• 33% on income - $174,400 to $379,150
• 35% on income - $379,150.

 Married Filing Jointly Status

• 10% on income - $0 to $17,000
• 15% on income - $17,000 to $69,000
• 25%  on income - $69,000 to $139,350
• 28% on income - $139,350 to $212,300
• 33% on income - $212,300 to $379,150
• 35%  on income - $379,150.

Married Filing Separately Status

• ·  10% on income-$0 to $8,500
• ·  15% on income - $8,500 to $34,500
• ·  25% on income - $34,500 to $69,675
• ·  28% on income - $69,675 to $106,150
• ·  33% on income - $106,150 to $189,575
• ·  35% on income - $189,575.

We have made it to February 1st and I am sure some of our resolves for the new year has lessened. It’s normal that life’s daily stressors can challenge even the most determined. This is not the time to abandon our plans, but time to recommit to them.

Positive affirmations are the perfect way get back on track and to achieve the results we seek. I know you may be somewhat resistant to them like I was. Who wants to stand in front of a mirror and half heartedly say things they don’t even believe?

However, it’s not the mere repeating of a statement in a monotone voice that can change your life. When done correctly, affirmations can have a significant impact on your results.

To be effective, affirmations must be:
1. Said in a Positive statement;
2. Recited in the Present tense; and
3. Be Personal to the individual.

“I weigh ____.”
“I am worth ____.”
“I work in ____.”

Once you have your statements, you must recite them with intensity. It is the energy and force of the repetition that will help to reinforce them in your mind. Within a matter of weeks or months, you will become a believer.

Visualization is also important to this process. As you say each phrase, see the picture in your mind, view yourself as experiencing it here and now. Live it, breathe it and feel the joy and excitement that comes from having it, NOW.

It might feel strange at first and it may be challenging to get the mental pictures in your mind, but it gets easier. I started using this process a couple of months ago while I exercise.

The new year has come with its own set of challenges, but my affirmations have kept me on track when it was tempting to surrender. They have made me bolder in my quest for success. I am asking even more from life.

Our mind cannot really tell the difference between fantasy and reality. If we dare to dream it until we can taste it, the mind will eventually believe it and carve out a way for us to accomplish it. I now have a detailed plan for the career of my dreams because I have been emboldened by my own positive self talk.

Goal-setting is one of the best ways to make meaningful accomplishments in life. That same attention to detail is also essential when it comes to our finances.

The road to financial fitness must incorporate a savings plan and there are many ways to save, but today I want to talk to you about SmartyPig. It is a free online tool that can help you save for a vacation, a new it-bag or text books for the semester.

SmartyPig is not a bank, but it is FDIC insured and has a .70% interest rate. You make money while you save for your goal. 

What makes this an interesting site is that it also allows others to help you fund your dreams. Yes, saving has gone social. This is a convenient way for family or friends to assist you in reaching your target.

To get started, sign-up for an account and fund it with a minimum of $25. Then you simply create a goal, decide on the amount you want to save and the date you intend to reach it. How frequently you fund that account is up to you.

Getting to your goal is even easier if you opt-in for the SmartyPig cash rewards card. It’s essentially a prepaid Mastercard that can earn up to 10% on your everyday purchases, which you can deposit into your goal account.

Withdrawing your money is just as easy too and done without charges or fees. First, decide on whether you want it added to a debit card, deposited into a bank account or placed on retail gift card.

Oh, if you choose the the retailer gift card option, you will get an 11% cash back bonus to put back on a gift card or to use on your next SmartyPig goal. So if you saved $1,000, your cash back bonus would be $110 of free money. Now that’s an incentive to save.

FinanstyleChat Hello and welcome to the first @FinanstyleChat – #FSchat -3:00 PM Jan 12th, 2-012

FinanstyleChat In order to get onto our path, we must set priorities and goals. The new year is a great time to begin. #FSchat -3:02 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat I’m sure many of you have plans in place. #FSchat -3:07 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat Q. 1 – What is your number one priority for the new year? #FSchat -3:08 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat Mine is to educate myself about my finances. RT @FinanstyleChat Q. 1 – What is your number one priority for the new year? #FSchat #FSchat -3:10 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat I’ve started read many books on personal finance because I find it fascinating. That made me focus on my own financial life. #FSchat -3:13 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat Q. 2 – What’s one new habit you will start in 2012 to get to your goal? #FSchat 3:16 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat To get more engaged in social media. RT @FinanstyleChat Q. 2 – What’s one new habit you will start in 2012 to get to your goal? #FSchat -3:18 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat I’d feel guilty when I got on Twitter. Then I realized that’s because I did not schedule it into my day. #FSchat -3:20 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat That’s why social media was on my list of goals along with action steps to follow-thru. #FSchat -3:22 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat I’ve learned a lot about myself lately. One is I am as analytical as I am creative. I also love planning and organization. #FSchat -3:24 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat Personal finance calls for you to focus on the details, and that’s what I love. The slightest shift can mean major changes. #FSchat -3:27 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat Q.3 – What habit will you abandon in 2012? #FSchat -3:28 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat Procrastination on unpleasant matters. RT @FinanstyleChat: Q.3 – What habit will you abandon in 2012? #FSchat -3:31 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat I’d procrastinate on personal finances matters, but I started last year to tackle them head-on and will continue to do so in 2012. #FSchat -3:34 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat I use to feel like it was a chore to deal with my personal finances. I don’t know how many of you feel/felt that way. #FSchat -3:35 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat When I felt that dealing with my personal finances was a chore, I’d avoid it. Who wants to do chores anyway? #FSchat -3:37 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat Then I changed my mindset. I stopped with the ‘I can’ts’; ‘personal finance is too complicated’ and ‘I’m just not good at math.’ #FSchat -3:39 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat I decided to step up to the plate & it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I spent most of the Holidays reading books on finances. #FSchat -3:41 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat I read them for pleasure. RT @FinanstyleChat: I spent most of the Holidays reading books on acquiring wealth and personal finances. #FSchat -3:43 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat That’s another thing I learned, wealth is created in the mind, but that’s another Chat. #FSchat -3:44 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat The key to getting a handle on your personal finances is to make the decision. Then you commit to doing whatever it takes. #FSchat -3:47 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat I know my turning point was when I knew, to use @Oprah‘s phrase, I was not ‘living my best life.’ #FSchat -3:50 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat I founded @FinanstyleChat so I can document my path to financial independence. It’s my hope that other women will benefit as well. #FSchat -3:56 PM Jan 12th, 2012

FinanstyleChat This was the first @FinanstyleChat of many to come. Thank you to those of you who silently followed. See you next time!!! #FSchat – 3:58 PM Jan 12th, 2012

Today we are going to talk about making credit report disputes. Mistakes can happen and correcting said errors may not go as smoothly as one would like. Persistence is the key here.

There are three credit reporting agencies responsible for compiling our financial history.  Most of the negative information can remain up to 7 or even 10 years.  That makes it crucial to spot inaccuracies and request their deletion. The bureaus are:

• Equifax
• Experian
• Transunion

Get a free copy of your credit report from each agency on a yearly basis from www.annualcreditreports.com. It’s the best way to keep track of your file. There are three ways to make a dispute:

• Send an online deletion request;
• Call the agencies to ask for correction; or
• Write letter requesting removal of the item.

When you make a written request for removal of incorrect information, be sure to include the account numbers in question. It’s also a good idea to send copies of supporting documents. This letter should be sent by certifiied mail with return receipt requested.

I made an online request to all three agencies detailing the incorrect information in my reports and received the investigative findings via email. They are required by law to give you a response within 30 days of your inquiry.

When I sent requests to all three credit reporting bureaus, only one removed the errors in the initial request. Then I decided to call the other two bureaus to resolve the issue. During this round, I offered to send information to verify my assertions. So far, the items have been removed from two bureaus and I am awaiting a reponse from the third.

If no changes are made to your report, you can ask to attach a statement to your file disputing the item. I was also entitled to and received a free copy of my report once the inaccuracies were removed.

Yes, the process can be quite extended, and it can be difficult to get incorrect information removed. However, that does not mean you should give up, stay committed to your plan to get financially healthy and fit.

We are in the second week of 2012 and it’s time to take action. I recently signed-up for Mint.com, a free personal finance service that will help you to get and stay on top of your money online. Budgeting and organizing my finances are all a part of my plan to get financially fit.

I’ve committed myself to changing bad habits and acquire new ones that are in alignment with my goals.  This week I decided to get my financial house in order and added my accounts to Mint. Okay, I signed-up a couple of weeks ago, but I procrastinated on in-putting the information. A new year does indeed call for new actions.

One of the major deterrents to budgeting can be the time commitment, but this service is one of the easiest to setup and keep track of your money. You simply sign-up and enter your account information, then you are on your way for a more organized financial life. It really makes budgeting quick and easy. In a little time, you will have a detailed financial workup.

The convenience of using this tool on-the-go is also a great feature. You get to stay up-to-date with your finances with your smartphone, they have apps for the iPhone, iPad and Android. I still have a BlackBerry, but this is just one more reason to switch to the iPhone.

It automatically downloads your accounts transactions and organizes them in an instant. Prepare to catalogue your:

• Cash – savings and checking
• Credit Cards
• Investments
• Mortgage
• Car Loans
• Student Loans

Then it calculates your Net Worth by subtracting your debts from your assets. It is fast and the information is right at your finger-tips. 

The tool also provides you with alerts, they keep you up-to-date on everything, from a low bank balances to bill-pay reminders. Furthermore, you can set up your own notifications and receive them via email or text.

I like working on my goals, and a budget is a major part of my plan to take control of my financial life. Our first @FinanstyleChat is on Thursday, January 12th at 3:00pm EST, join me to discuss your goals and plans for 2012. Log into TweetChat and use the hashtag #FSchat.

Let me officially say, Happy New Year! We’ve made it into a brand new year where everything feels possible. This is the time to change or tweak the things that are holding us back. It’s important to capitalize on the excitement we are feeling right now.

My primary goal for 2012 is to live my life with meaning and purpose. It is my greatest hope that you will accompany me on this adventure. Sure I know it will take more than a year to create the life of our dreams, but every journey begins with a first step.

I’ve already posted a partial list of my goals for this year and I have about 90 others I’m eager to achieve. Finanstyle Chat is at the top of this list because it is about educating myself and other women to attain financial freedom.

To that end, I have created a list of financial principles to guide me through 2012 and the rest of my life. Here are 5 of these money laws I’ve created for my life:

1. Always choose to be financially healthy and fit;
2. Know that your time is as valuable as your money;
3. Saving your money will lead to a fuller and richer life;
4. Taking care of your money is taking care of yourself; and
5. Buy the best, and always pay less.

Whenever I’m in doubt or have even a hint of confusion over my financial priorities, I will refer back to this list. It will serve as my financial code of conduct.

We’ve all made plans in previous years that may have fallen short of our expectations, but the difference in 2012 is ‘you.’   You can decide to set your drive and ambition on high and your fear and inhibition on low. We will have challenges and setbacks along the way, but with a flexible plan and focus we can reach our goals.

Our first @FinanstyleChat on Twitter is scheduled for Thursday, January 12th at 3:00pm and I hope you will join me and share your money laws for the new year.

We are in the last week of 2011, and as usual, I am thrilled about the prospects of a new year. It’s always filled with such hope and promise.  This year is different for me because I already have a roadmap to get to my desired destination.  I’m sure many of you also have plans to make 2012 even better. At the top of my list is to organize and improve my financial life.

So, it seems appropriate to finish Finanstyle’s year with a selection of money quotes to inspire and make you laugh. Let’s enjoy the rest of the Holidays, while we remember - next week is the first week of the rest of our financial lives.

1. “Money for me has only one sound: liberty.” – Coco Chanel
2. “Money is usually attracted, not pursued.” – Jim Rohn
3. “You know you are on the road to success if you would do your job, and not be paid for it.” – Oprah Winfrey
4. “Money will come when you are doing the right thing.” – Mike Phillips
5. “Money can’t buy happiness, but neither can poverty.” – Leo Rosten
6. “Wealth is not a matter of intelligence; it’s a matter of inspiration.” – Jim Rohn
7. “A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it.” – Bob Hope
8. “A career is born in public, talent in privacy.” – Marilyn Monroe
9. “Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons.” – Woody Allen
10. “Lack of money is no obstacle. Lack of an idea is an obstacle.” – Ken Hakuta
11. “Money never starts an idea. It is always the idea that starts the money.” – Owen Laughlin
12. “People first, then money, then things.” – Suze Orman
13. “There are people who have money and people who are rich.” – Coco Chanel
14. “Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.” – Jim Rohn
15. “What material success does is provide you with the ability to concentrate on other things that really matter. And that is being able to make a difference, not only in your own life, but in other people’s lives.” – Oprah Winfrey
16. “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” – Bo Derek
17. “The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money.” – Author Unknown
18. “The mint makes it first, it is up to you to make it last.” – Evan Esar
19. “Never spend your money before you have it.” – Thomas Jefferson
20. “You don’t pay taxes, they take taxes.” – Chris Rock
21. “The trick is to stop thinking of it as ‘your’ money.” – IRS auditor
22. “The art is not in making money, but in keeping it.” – Proverb
23. “Do what you love and the money will follow.” – Marsha Sinetar
24. “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” – Jim Rohn
25. “The first wealth is health.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson