64. Managing Financial Regret with Aja Evans

According to a recent survey conducted by Bankrate dot com, Americans’ biggest financial regret is not saving enough for emergencies. In fact, 20% of respondents gave this answer – even topping the reigning top response related to saving too little for retirement. And when broken down further, older millennials (36 percent) were more than twice as likely than baby boomers (14 percent) to say they regret not having a strong enough emergency fund. And when asked what they intend to do with their money going forward, 26% of respondents said they will save more for emergencies, while another 21% said they will spend less.

Of course, this poll was administered in the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic and all of the financial disruption that has come along with it. But it got my attention that when asked about financial regrets, the answer had nothing to do with saving for the long term. It was about the here and now.

In this episode, Malcolm sits down with Aja Evans, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in financial therapy, to discuss the concept of financial regret, how to recognize it when you feel it, and how to move past it once you do. Aja and Malcolm share some of their own personal stories, and Aja remembers the very moment she realized she wanted to work with people to take control of their emotions around money.

Aja Evans discusses:

  • Why it is so difficult for us to talk about money in an open and honest setting with friends and family
  • The importance of focusing on your own financial situation rather than comparing yourself to others
  • How to go a few layers deep and identify the true reason for the feelings we have about our money
  • Some exercises she recommends to clients to help them identify them moments when they feel anxious about money 

Connect with Aja Evans:

About the Guest:

Aja Evans is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in financial therapy. She likes to say that she is on a mission to get more individuals engaged in living their best life, while attuning to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors around money. In January 2015, she launched Aja Evans Counseling, a New York-based financial therapy practice where she supports clients to begin working towards a better version of themselves. In addition to her work as a financial therapist, Aja is a speaker, writer, and fintech consultant, focusing on the intersection of mental health and money. She believes that whether you are struggling with anxiety, self-esteem, relationships, or regret, gaining control of your finances will help you live the life you want.

Disclosures:

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only, does not constitute investment advice, and should not be relied upon as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. The views expressed in this commentary are subject to change based on market and other conditions. This writing may contain statements that may be deemed forward‐looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur. Be sure to consult with your tax and legal advisors before taking any action that could have tax consequences. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED | NOT BANK-GUARANTEED | MAY LOSE VALUE

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