Hyper Pony Studio

Owner

North Square Investments

Digital Marketing Consultant

FortéOne

Fractional CMO | Chief Marketing Officer

Ariel Investments

C.S. McKee

UX Collective

Contributing Writer

MAQTOOB

Digital Bootcamp

Instructor

The Simons Group

Senior Designer

👑 Web, Marketing, & Design Expert for Advisory and Consulting Firms 👑 Websites driven by marketing expertise 👉 hyperponystudio.com

👋 Hi I'm Manda!

Follow me and ring my 🔔 if you're in the financial services industry and want to learn more about:

👉 Marketing persuasion techniques 
👉 Writing copy that converts
👉 Attracting potential clients
👉 Turning those prospects into clients
👉 Professionally presenting your brand 
👉 Attracting your ideal clients
👉 Creating an EFFECTIVE website
👉 Establishing trust and building authority

🔻 🔻 🔻 Want to work together? 🔻 🔻 🔻

For advisory and investment firms:
🔹 Complete brand, website, & marketing overhauls
🔹 Ongoing marketing and fractional CMO services
🔹 Deep-dive website audits

For independent financial advisors:
🔹 Deep-dive website audits
🔹 Web and marketing flash audits
🔹 Ignite Your Site course coming soon!

Learn more, view samples of my work, or start your project at hyperponystudio.com!

👑
Hyper Pony Studio 
Digital marketing for the financial services industry

Manda Szewczyk

While everyone else is hurrying to add AI to their platforms, this is the message I received when I clicked the chat/help option on the app I use for my proposals:

"Don't worry, we don't use AI, bots or canned replies. Just 3 guys in different parts of the world ready to help you use Better Proposals."

What a relief! Thank you Better Proposals!!

 - - - - - - - - - - 

🤔 So what's the lesson here?

If you're doing something different (or something better) SAY IT.

Don't expect people to notice on their own.

 - - - - - - - - - - 

👋 Hi I'm Manda - I share Tiny Tweaks to help financial advisors improve their marketing and level-up their websites.

👑 Websites & Marketing Overhauls for Financial Advisors & RIAs 👉 Sharing digital marketing tips

I'm noticing some disturbing behavior on Linkedin.

I've been away for a while, and I'm longing for the days when all there was to complain about was pitch-slapping in the DMs.

Here are some new LI tactics that I'm NOT loving...

- - - - - - 

🙄 People selling their services in the comments section of my posts

Not just chiming in or offering anything useful, but literally saying, "These are the services I offer" – like a little ad in the comments. Most of them are other marketers or web designers.

Not cool.

- - - - - - 

🤨 Adding me to their email newsletter list just because I accepted their connection request

Um, I agreed to connect. Not subscribe! As soon as someone does this, I lose all trust in them and their business tactics.

Unsubscribe. Unfollow. Goodbye.

- - - - - - 

😡 Sending me calendar invites when we've never communicated before

This one is the WORST! I'm getting meetings on my calendar and in Zoom from people I've NEVER met!! Some of them are for webinars, some are demos, some are pitches – but NONE of them are with people I've ever met or talked to.

What the actual...???

- - - - - - 

I get it. Building a business is hard. But come on!!

Have you experienced any of this? Or is it just me?

Quick tip for anyone creating a video. 

Take a pause every now and then, look at the camera, and smile. 

Because at some point, someone is going to have to go through that video and find a nice screenshot to use as an overlay. 

And, if you never stopped to smile, you're not going to like the options.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

🛼 Hi I'm Manda - I share Tiny Tweaks to help financial advisors improve their marketing and level-up their websites.

No alternative text description for this image

My least favorite part of Halloween? The commercials.

Even as an adult, ads for scary movies freak me out. 

As a kid? I'd have nightmares for weeks.

I don't like the images or the sounds – it messes with my nervous system.

And I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Why isn't there a law against showing ads for R-rated movies during G- or PG-rated programming?

I'd like to be able to opt out of the horror category in my streaming services too.

I know lots of people love those movies and that's great - but they're just not for me.

Anyone know who I can talk to about this?

- - - - - - - - - - 

BTW, my favorite part of Halloween? Half off candy the next day! I'm also a fan of toddlers dressed as Care Bears and older kids who make their own costumes. I always give extra candy for home-made creativity 🎃

What's your favorite/least favorite part of Halloween?

This is a rare post for the non-advisors who follow me.

One of my clients wrote a book, and for today, it's only 99 cents if you order the Kindle version. 

Here are some of the things you'll find inside:

👉 Why the “4 percent rule” and other retirement myths could be sabotaging your future

👉 The Three Tax Buckets strategy that gives you control over your retirement income

👉 How to create a “retirement paycheck” that feels like real income rather than raiding savings

👉 Dynamic Income Planning with guardrails that adapt as your life evolves

👉 Why most estate plans fail, especially after the SECURE Act, and how to fix yours

It's a book about retirement, written for people who want to do their best to avoid mistakes and set themselves up for success – and who don't enjoy reading financial novels. This one is short, actionable, and free of financial jargon. 

If it sounds interesting, search for "From Work to What’s Next: Designing a Life you Don’t Want to Retire From" on Amazon, and choose the Kindle version.

All three of these tweaks come from real samples I found on a professionally designed advisor website.

Take a look and let me know which is your favorite, and if you're planning to make any of these changes to your own site.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

🐙 Hi I'm Manda - I share Tiny Tweaks to help financial advisors improve their marketing and level-up their websites.

Carousel

Nexa Wealth Planning

At Nexa Wealth, we believe managing your money is more than just numbers in a bank account – it’s about creating a life rich in choices and free from constraints. 

Here, money doesn't dictate your choices – it amplifies them. With us, you’re not just surviving; you're thriving. We're dedicated to crafting financial freedom for each of our clients, turning dreams into rock-solid plans, and plans into rock-solid reality.

Email: renee@nexawm.com for free consultation

CEO & Certified Financial Planner

Northwestern Mutual

Women are more than capable of taking control of their finances, and I'm here to help them do so. 

I'm passionate about empowering women to take ownership of their finances and achieve financial freedom. 

As a Certified Financial Planner, I help women executives maximize their cash flow, make smart investments, and develop tax-savvy strategies to ensure their money grows and lasts for years to come. 

With my help, women can confidently make financial decisions, assertively create a plan, and reduce their financial worries. 

•	Understand your financial options 
•	Create a forward-thinking financial strategy 
•	Make money decisions with confidence

If you are tired of second-guessing what your money is doing for you, and instead you want a simple roadmap to achieve the results you desire, I invite you into having a conversation.  

DM or email for a complimentary 30-minute Money Strategy meeting
📧 renee.cohen@nm.com

Certified Financial Planner™ for women executives and business owners 

Created financial literacy corporate workshops to inspire employees into financial action & eliminate money anxiety.

Financial Literacy Workshop Facilitator & Speaker

Bixel Exchange

Bixel Exchange is the innovation and tech arm at the second largest Chamber of Commerce in the US, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Our cornerstone programs include Startup Launch Tech SBDC and Tech Talent Pipeline that combine forces to create an inclusive greater LA technology community.

Advisor

Fox Sports Net

Director, Corporate Partnerships

Big Ten Network

Manager, University Development

Designing Work-Optional Lifestyles for Women & Couples with Dynamic Financial Plans | Financial Consultant for Executives & Business Owners in Sports & Tech | Financial Wellness Speaker

The biggest money secret that not enough successful women know?

Creating financial security for life is actually insanely EASY.

- Dream of retiring by 50?
- Want to cover your kids' big moments?
- Looking forward to luxe vacations without needing an excuse?
- Need an iron-clad safety net for whatever life throws your way?

But it’s not just about the future. It’s about enjoying your life right now.

Financial freedom isn't just for later. It’s about living your best life now, knowing you are crafting your future while relishing today.

This is where I step in.

With all the financial advice out there, you need what works, not just noise. You need strategies that move the needle. You need results, not tasks.

My mission? To make managing your finances the SIMPLEST part of your day.  

I’m here to help you make smart choices that align with your dreams for your family and your future.

You've worked tirelessly for your success. So let’s save smartly and maximize and grow what you have. True financial freedom is more than account balances.  


I’ve partnered with many women and couples like you, creating personalized plans that balance today's lifestyle with tomorrow's dreams. This isn't about strict budgets. It’s about shaping your finances to fit your life today, while maximizing every aspect of your income and assets.

I’m more than a financial planner. I’m your partner, guide, and ally in achieving your financial dreams in the most straightforward and effective way possible.

Every plan is tailored to the individual because your financial success should be as unique as you are.

Ready to make these dreams a part of your everyday life?

Let’s unlock the full potential of your finances together. Because your money should support the life you want, now and in the future.

Send me a DM or email at renee.cohen@nm.com.

This conversation could change everything. ✨

Your journey goes beyond just managing numbers. It involves:

✨ Strategic Cash Flow & Debt Management,
✨ Tax Optimization for executive roles,
✨ Effective Navigation of Stock Options & Significant Financial Events,
✨ Personalized Retirement Planning,
✨ Comprehensive Insurance Solution

Renee Cohen, CFP®

“Okay, maybe a dumb question…”


“Don’t you just make money off managing investments?”

She said it halfway through our intro call.

Fair question.
You’ve probably wondered it too.

I hear that all the time.
And I don’t blame you.

The industry hasn’t done a great job of explaining how this actually works.

So let’s break it down.

Financial advice has often been pitched as a “free perk” if you buy a product:

A mutual fund.
An annuity.
An insurance policy.
(Take your pick.)

But the advice?
It’s not really free.
It’s just buried in the fine print or baked into a commission.

So the real question becomes:

Was that advice truly in your best interest
or was it about meeting someone else’s sales quota?

That’s why I charge for advice first.

When you’re paying for a plan,
you know the recommendations are built around your life, goals, and values,
not what someone’s trying to sell you.

And yes, sometimes we implement investments or insurance too.
But that comes after the strategy is clear, not before.

And when we do place a product?
It’s because it fits your plan.
Not because there’s a bonus attached.
Not because it’s the “recommended option” from a brokerage firm.

Financial planning should feel like clear, unbiased guidance across all the pieces of your financial life.

If no one’s ever walked you through how this works, that’s not on you.

This industry hasn’t always been transparent.
But you don’t have to stay in the dark.

You deserve to know who’s truly in your corner
and who’s working off a commission.

📌 What’s one thing you wish you  understood more about working with a financial advisor?

I bring your financial life together so every decision moves you forward | Financial planner for 6-figure women navigating career, family, and legacy goals | CFP® | Nexa Wealth Founder

Some of the most honest things I say about money never make it onto LinkedIn.


Not because they’re controversial.
But because they don’t fit neatly into a carousel or tip list.

Like the time a client told me she was maxing out her 401k and feeling totally burned out, 
and I said, “You can lower the amount  for more breathing room.”

Or when another client felt guilty for not saving for college and retirement,
and I told her, “Let’s stop over-saving for your kid’s future and start planning for your next chapter.”

Or when I told a client who felt guilty she couldn’t do it all 
and said, “You’re not bad with money. You’ve just been managing your three generations of responsibility with no system.

Those are the moments that never make it into workshop slides.
But they’re the ones that change everything.

Because money isn’t just math.
It’s emotion.
It’s permission.
It’s the space between what looks right on paper and what actually feels right in your life.

And sometimes, the smartest financial move you can make
is the one that gives you peace — not perfection.

I’ll take that over a spreadsheet any day.

➜ What’s one thing you’re excited to do this weekend?

(Me taking my nephew to a pumpkin patch - here’s a throwback to last year’s)

It usually starts with one question on a random Monday.

You’re moving money between accounts or glancing at a statement,
and that thought hits:
“Are we missing something?”

You’ve got money in investments.
You’ve worked with someone before.
You’re saving, contributing, doing all the things you’re “supposed” to do.

But there’s this little voice that wonders Am I really doing this right?

I see this all the time.
You’re not flying blind, but you’re not totally sure how all the pieces fit together either.

Because every time something new comes up, taxes, bonuses, stock options, real estate, it feels like starting from scratch.

One client called it “financial whack-a-mole.”
Every time she fixed one thing, another popped up.

And that’s exactly what happens when there’s no real plan holding everything together.

Because having investments isn’t the same as having a plan.

A plan connects the dots between
your cash flow, taxes, and investments
so everything actually talks to each other.

That’s when money finally starts to make sense again.
Fewer “should I?” moments.
Fewer late-night second guesses.

Confidence with money doesn’t come from nailing every move. 
It comes from knowing what’s going on and trusting it’s heading where you want it to go.

That quiet “am I missing something?” voice needs its own coffee mug at this point. ☕

Mine would probably say, “Trying my best.”

What would yours say this week?

Everyone celebrates the win.
No one talks about what happens the next morning.

The Dodgers woke up today as champions.

The parade’s rolling through the city.

Fans are still cheering, the city’s buzzing, the confetti’s everywhere.

And yet, there’s this strange quiet that sneaks in after the high fades.

The what-now feeling.
The knowing that the season starts over again soon.

I see that same thing all the time with money.

You hit the raise, the bonus, the business goal 

And instead of exhaling, you feel the pressure creep back in.

Because no one tells you that success comes with a new kind of pressure.
You’ve built something worth protecting

And now your brain won’t stop running the next play.

The more you have, the more decisions there are to make.

The more you “win,” the harder it is to slow down long enough to enjoy it.

Reaching the goal isn’t the hard part.
Feeling safe once you’re there is.

To pause.
To breathe.
To actually let yourself celebrate without immediately planning what’s next.

Because money should create more space in your life,
not more noise in your head.

When was the last time you let yourself enjoy a win before moving to the next goal?

Layoffs have been hitting hard lately even inside companies most of us thought were untouchable.


But what almost no one tells you. 
The financial clock that starts ticking right after.

Especially if part of your compensation lives in company stock.

Because when your job ends,
a quiet financial clock starts ticking:

→ RSUs that stop vesting.
→ Stock options that might expire in 90 days.
→ ESPP shares no one ever really explains clearly.

I’ve seen so many women lose out on real money.

Not because they did anything wrong but because no one told them what questions to ask.

Here’s what to do instead:

1. Get the facts. 
Ask HR for your equity grant documents before your access ends.

2. Know your deadlines. 
Most stock options expire within 90 days (some companies extend that window).
Check your plan details so you don’t leave vested shares behind.

3. Ask for a quick tax projection. Exercising stock can trigger big tax surprises or save you money when timed right.

4. Zoom out. 
Decide whether holding or selling fits your life right now, not just what looks “smart” on paper.

You can’t always control a layoff.
But you can control what happens next with the wealth you’ve built.

And when you pause long enough to make intentional choices,
instead of rushed ones. 

That’s where peace (and strategy) come back in.

➜ What’s one thing that helps you stay grounded when life throws a curveball?


—

p.s. If you’ve recently gone through a layoff (or think one might be coming), I’m opening a few quick strategy sessions to help you review your equity, taxes, and next steps. DM me if that would bring some peace of mind.

Here’s something I’ve learned since starting my firm a year ago:


You can’t do it all at once.

Most of my energy this year has gone into two things:
→ Building a firm that truly serves my clients
→ Making sure my mornings belong to my personal life (because that’s the season I’m in)

Which means LinkedIn doesn’t always get my “golden hour.”

Some days it’s mornings.
Some days it’s afternoons.
And some weeks. Not at all.

And I’m okay with that.
I used to think consistency meant doing things the same way every time.

Now I know it’s showing up with intention, even when the routine changes.

Because you can be consistent without being rigid.
You can evolve without losing momentum.
You can prioritize what matters most and still grow.

It’s trusting that showing up
whether for clients, your family, or your own goals is enough.

That same truth carries into money.

You don’t need a perfect routine.
You need the right plan.
One that works for you. 

So if you don’t always catch me here (and honestly, these days it feels like no one does 😅),
that’s what my email list is for.

That’s where I go deeper. 
The conversations about money, freedom, and what it looks like to build wealth in your real season of life.

This next chapter for me is - 
Less about being perfectly timed.
More about staying grounded in what matters.

→ Do you actually notice when people post, or just read whatever shows up?

Earning more is supposed to make money easier. It rarely does.

I see it all the time.
A woman steps into a leadership role, or her business crosses six figures,
and instead of feeling more confident,
she feels stretched thinner than ever.

No one talks about how success can come with guilt, too.
You finally have the income you worked for,
but the constant decisions, the tax surprises, the mental load.

It’s a lot.
And admitting that out loud can feel ungrateful.

Because when life expands, the money side can feel messier. 

More accounts to track.
More taxes to plan for.
More decisions that suddenly feel heavier than they should.

She’ll tell me,
“I thought once I earned more, this part would feel easier.”

And it can. 
But not without structure underneath it.

When your income, investments, and taxes start working together,
the noise settles.

You stop wondering where it’s all going.
You stop wondering what you’re missing.

You exhale a little and enjoy what you’re building.

Because making more isn’t the hard part.
Feeling in sync with it.

That’s the part most people skip.

➜ What’s one small thing that helps you feel grounded when life starts speeding up?

Most money advice gets it wrong.


It tells you what to do.
Not how it all fits together.

Because 
A high income doesn’t guarantee freedom.
And a “perfect plan” doesn’t guarantee peace.

I see it all the time.
Women earning six figures + still wondering,
“Why doesn’t it feel like I’m getting ahead?”

It’s not that they’re doing anything wrong.
It’s that they’re following checklists instead of leading strategy.

The women who build real wealth,
They don’t wait for permission.
They lead their money.

Here’s what that looks like:

→ Income: Not just how much you earn, but where it goes.

→ Investments: Picking vehicles that actually fit your goals.

→ Taxes: Making moves throughout the year, not just filing taxes in April.

→ Life Design: Aligning money with how you want to live now.

The goal isn’t perfection.
It’s connection between your income, your goals, and your life.

When those four line up, everything clicks.


➜ What part of your money world still feels like a checklist right now?


—
Want to see how this all fits together?
DM me “Moves” and I’ll send my 15-minute training.

I get asked all the time:
“What’s the one financial move that really changes everything?”

The answer:
There isn’t one.

If there were, everyone would already be doing it.

And yet, I work with women earning six figures who still wonder if they’re missing something.

Because most of what they see online are: 
Hacks.
Tricks.
One-size-fits-all “tips.”

But wealth doesn’t grow from hacks.
It grows from making decisions.

When your strategy reflects your goals and values,
your money stops feeling scattered
and starts working with you.

That kind of strategy should:
→ Fit your day-to-day life (not just the “retirement you”)
→ Make big decisions easier
→ Put you in the right financial vehicles for growth
→ Help you keep more of what you earn
→ Give you breathing room to enjoy your money now

The “secret” isn’t another tip.

→ It’s knowing where every dollar goes (without feeling restricted).
→ It’s having investments in the right vehicles for your future.
→ It’s walking into tax season without the pit in your stomach.

That’s what clarity with money really looks like.

→ What’s one “money hack” you’ve seen online that made you roll your eyes?


- -

If you like posts like this, you’ll love my emails. 
I go deeper there (and they’re actually worth reading).

DM me if you want in.

You know the sneakiest way people lose money?


Waiting for life to “settle down.”

You’ve probably said it:

“I’ll figure it out when things calm down.”
→ When work slows.
→ After the next promotion.
→ Once the kids are in a routine.
→ When you have more headspace.

Totally normal.
But we all know life doesn’t really settle.

And the longer you wait, the more it costs.

Because while you’re waiting:
→ Tax moves expire quietly.
→ Cash sits in the wrong places.
→ Investment windows close.
→ And those almost-decisions keep taking up brain space.

The market will recover.
Time won’t.

You don’t need to know everything to start.

You just need to stop waiting for the perfect moment.

Because confidence doesn’t come from waiting.
It comes from deciding before your hand is forced.

Every client I’ve worked with who finally stopped outsourcing their peace of mind to “later”?
They started moving differently.

They stopped reacting.
Stopped second-guessing.
And finally started building the life they kept saying they’d get to.

So if there’s something you’ve been putting off (money or otherwise)
you probably don’t need more time.

You just need to stop giving it away.

→ If you could take one thing off your mental to-do list today, what would it be? 

(Mine is updating copy on my revamped website)

- -

P.S. I’m putting together a small group to chat about end of year investment moves and how to read your statements (too many are way too confusing). 

If you want in, DM.

Most people are chasing the wrong part of wealth.

They think it’s about:
→ Earning more
→ Finding the “perfect” investment
→ Or squeezing out one more tax hack

But that’s only half the game.
The other half is organizing what you’ve already built.

That’s the part no one talks about,
and honestly, it’s about 70% of the work.

Because when your money doesn’t have a system, it shows up everywhere:
→ You wonder where it all goes.
→ You stress every tax season.
→ You second-guess every big decision.

But when it does have a system

You know what’s working.
You know what needs adjusting.
And you stop playing financial whack-a-mole with your own life.

Making money without organizing it isn’t wealth.
It’s juggling.

💰 If you had to describe your money in one word today, what would it be?

A question I get often isn’t about investing or retirement.

It’s this one:

“Can I take the vacation without feeling guilty about it?”

A client of mine a VP in tech and mom of two brought this up on our call.
She was excited about planning a milestone family trip, but she kept thinking,

“Should this money go to savings instead?”

Totally normal.
And also solvable.

We made a few key moves:

1. The necessary stuff first.

→ Bills, savings, and goals? Already handled before she books.
Now she can enjoy the trip instead of doing mental math on the plane.

2. Use the right card.

→ We picked one that earns double points now and sets her up for a bigger trip next year.

3. Pay yourself for the fun.

→ She earmarked part of her bonus for travel so the memories are paid for before takeoff.

This is the part of financial planning people miss.

It’s not (always) the investment charts or the retirement projections.

It’s the confidence in your daily choices.

Knowing your “yes” to the trip, the renovation, or the time off
still keeps you on track for the bigger vision.

Because the real magic of a plan
isn’t in the charts.

It’s in how it changes the way you live right now.

My clients don’t want money to hold them back from living.

They want it to support their life. 
Now and 20 years from now.

→ Do you plan your trips around your budget, or your budget around your trips? 😅

Your bonus shouldn’t vanish every year. 
Here’s how to make it work for you: 


A client in tech told me this spring: 
Her six-figure bonus arrives, and then it (feels) gone. 

A big portion goes straight to taxes. 
The rest sits in savings 
And soon, it’s like she never earned it.

That’s not the way it has to be.

→ We made her bonus work for her future, tax-smart, growing tax-free with a Mega Backdoor Roth.

→ We turned “extra” cash into a tool, funding her dream home and investments that build her wealth.

→ We helped her give back with her Donor Advisor Fund, supporting causes she cares about and gaining immediate tax benefits.

The win is her knowing her bonus has a plan. 

Because the money you earn should serve you (and your future), disappear each year.

→ What's the first thing you are purchasing if a big check hit your account tomorrow?

Here’s what most people get wrong about year-end tax planning 👇


Quick disclaimer:
➜ I’m not your CPA.
(And neither is your friend who swears she found a “tax loophole” on TikTok.)

But I am a financial planner, and I’ve seen too many people lose money waiting until April to fix what they could’ve handled now.

So before opportunities to reduce taxes are gone, let’s talk about the questions I get this time of year:

⸻

1. “Can I still do anything to lower my 2025 tax bill?”
Yes. Possibly. But you’ve got to act before December 31.

Now’s the window to:
→ Max out your 401k (solo or employer)
→ Max out your Traditional IRA (7k, extra $1k if you’re over 50)
→ Fund your HSA
→ Finalize charitable gifts that count for 2025

And if you’ve got RSUs or vested shares?
Double-check how much tax was actually withheld.
Most companies withhold at a flat 22%, which usually isn’t enough for high earners and that’s where the surprise April bill comes from.

⸻

2. “Do those moves actually make a difference?”
They really do.

→ I’ve seen clients save five figures just by shifting when and how they take income, realizing gains, or funding a donor-advised fund.
→ But the real win isn’t just paying less.  It’s knowing you made the right calls before the deadline hit.

⸻

3. “Should I wait to make changes until I get my tax return?”
Nope. That’s the biggest misconception.
→ Your return is a report card, not a planning tool.
→ The smartest people I work with don’t wait to react. They plan now so April is just confirmation, not correction.

⸻
Tax strategy isn’t a once-a-year scramble.
It’s an ongoing conversation between how you earn, save, and invest.
And if you treat it that way, you stop feeling like the IRS has the upper hand.

Because saving money is great, but knowing you made those moves on purpose? 

That’s better.

📌 Do you usually wait until tax season to think about taxes, or plan ahead before year-end?


—

I recorded a quick 15-min video (5 money moves to make before 2026).
It’s short and worth the watch.
DM me and I’ll send it over.

Most people focus on the wrong part of wealth.


You’ve probably been told to:
→ Earn more
→ Find the “perfect” investment
→ Chase the next tax hack

And sure, those things matter,
but they’re only half the game.

The other half?
Getting your money to work together.
(That part’s closer to 70% of the game.)

When it doesn’t, here’s what happens:
→ Cash piles up without purpose
→ Tax time becomes surprise season
→ Every decision suddenly feels heavier than it should

But when everything starts talking,
your income, investments, and taxes
you finally see what’s working, what’s not,
and what to tweak before it snowballs.

That’s when money stops feeling chaotic.
It starts feeling led.

Because earning more without direction isn’t wealth.
It’s just juggling with nicer props.


💰 Right now, do your finances feel like teamwork or more like a group project gone wrong?

The hardest time to feel calm with money isn’t what you’d think.


It’s when life is changing.

A new job.
A new business.
A new house.
A new baby.

Suddenly, the systems that used to work don’t anymore.

The budget feels too tight.
Cash flow’s unpredictable.
Investments need rethinking.
And taxes start to feel like an afterthought.

What surprises most people is that it’s not a lack of income that causes the stress.
It’s the lack of clarity in the middle of the change.

Because when money starts moving faster than you can track it,
even small decisions feel heavy.

I’ve seen this play out with so many clients.
It’s rarely that they have too many goals. 

It’s that everything’s happening at once, and they’re trying to juggle it all in real time.

The overwhelm doesn’t come from the goals themselves.
It comes from being in reaction mode, making decisions as things fly at you.

The calm usually returns when you pause long enough to check in:

👉 What’s actually coming in?
👉 What’s going out?
👉 And what really needs your attention right now?

Once you get that visibility (even if it’s messy), your decisions start to feel easier again.

Because peace with money isn’t built in the quiet seasons.

It’s built in the pivots. 
When you give yourself a moment to pause, look at the facts, and move with confidence instead of pressure.

➜ Would you say you’re in a calm season right now or more of a pivot one?

The biggest money mistakes don’t come from bad decisions.


They come from waiting too long to make one.

From that little voice that says,
“What if I mess this up?”
So you stall. 
You Google. 
You hold.

Not because you don’t care.
But because you care too much.

And when you’re earning more, that pressure gets louder.

Every move (investments, stock options, taxes) suddenly feels like it carries more weight.
More risk. 
More room for regret.

But confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything.
It comes from being in motion.

From creating a plan that moves with you 
so your income, investments, and taxes talk to each other. 

When everything’s working together, you stop overthinking.
You stop waiting for “perfect.”
And, you start leading your money with intention.

Because the real mistake isn’t getting it wrong,
it’s staying frozen in fear of what might happen if you move.

→ What’s something that helps you get past analysis paralysis?

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Manda Szewczyk

Renee Cohen, CFP®

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The Battle

Manda Szewczyk

Renee Cohen, CFP®

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Manda Szewczyk's LinkedIn Performance

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