Tag: Finance

‘Emotionally Invested’: A Fresh Take on Fearless Retirement Planning

‘Emotionally Invested’ by Mary Clements Evans. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Spotlight: Emotionally Invested by Mary Clements Evans

Emotionally Invested: Outsmart Your Anxiety for Fearless Retirement Planning by Mary Clements Evans is not your typical money book—it’s a self-help guide disguised as financial advice. Evans, a Certified Financial Planner, explores how our emotions, habits, and personal histories shape the way we handle money. Whether you’re a chronic saver, a guilt-ridden spender, or someone who avoids money talk altogether, this book offers a judgment-free path toward financial clarity and confidence. (The Authority Company, 2025)

✨ 2025 Global Book Awards Bronze Medalist in Business & Money

A Different Approach to Money

Most financial advisors rely on the “rational man” theory: give people enough information, and they’ll make rational decisions. But humans aren’t purely rational—emotions play a huge role in our financial choices.

When Mary Clements Evans, CFP®, CDFA, ABFP®, opened her financial services firm in 2008, she set out to create a no-judgment zone where clients could feel safe discussing money. She helped people discover their Money Why—the underlying reasons behind financial behaviors—and it transformed their relationship with money.

After nearly two decades of what she calls “financial therapy,” Evans wrote this book to share her most powerful lessons from working with over 500 individuals and families.

What You’ll Learn

Instead of stock tips or investment strategies, Emotionally Invested dives into the emotional drivers of financial decisions. Evans shows how uncovering your own (and your partner’s) Money Why is the first step toward lasting financial happiness.

She also shares practical solutions for overcoming money anxiety, working with financial professionals, and building confidence about retirement. Above all, she reminds readers: it’s never too late to improve your financial future.

Key Takeaways

  • In the 1970s, retirement planning shifted from employers and unions to individuals—a change Evans calls the “Big Sin.” The “Big Lie” was that planning and saving would be easy.
  • People generally fall into two categories: FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) or FORO (Fear of Running Out)—and each impacts financial choices differently.
  • Financial happiness means having enough to enjoy life today while still feeling secure about the future.
  • Couples should try scheduling a monthly money date night to make financial conversations easier.
  • Not all financial designations are created equal—some require rigorous training, while others are little more than paid credentials.
  • The best advisors aren’t just knowledgeable; they also have integrity, empathy, and strong people skills.

About the Author

Mary Clements Evans is the founder and president of Evans Wealth Strategies in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, and a Raymond James registered principal. She is a Certified Financial Planner, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and an Accredited Behavioral Financial Professional.

With a BA in accounting from Temple University, Evans spent 25 years in corporate finance with Exide Battery, Goodall Rubber, Kellogg’s, and Rodale Publishing before launching her firm in 2008. An international speaker, she has been named to Raymond James’ Chairman’s Council for six consecutive years.

Why You Should Read Emotionally Invested

If money conversations leave you anxious or overwhelmed, this book will help you approach finances with clarity and confidence. It’s not about formulas and charts—it’s about creating a healthy, fearless relationship with money that supports the life you want now and in retirement.

📖 Ready to take control of your financial future?

  • Grab your copy of Emotionally Invested wherever books are sold.
  • Share this post with a friend, partner, or family member who could benefit from a fresh, compassionate approach to money.
  • Start your own “money date night” this month and put Evans’ advice into action.

Four Tips for Improving User Experience in Your Online Store

These tips for improving user experience can make all the difference. Photo: cottonbro studios/Pexels

User experience is everything when it comes to running an online store, and is something you should prioritize from the very beginning. When it comes to physical stores, everyone knows the importance of having a great-looking interior full of great products and enticing deals, and the same goes for the online environment.  

Of course, that’s easier said than done, and in the beginning, it’s completely normal to stare at your landing page, wondering where to start or how to go about improving your first attempt. 

This article is here to aid you. Here are four top tips for helping you design or redesign your website so that people want to shop there.

1. Start with Navigation

While having an aesthetically appealing site is important, you shouldn’t try to run before you can walk. Creating a site that’s nice and easy to navigate should be your first port of call. 

First and foremost, you need to make sure that your potential customers have a clear path to the items you’re selling. It’s best to organize everything into a few broad but distinct categories with easy-to-use drop-down menus, and you could also use color, texture, and images to segment things in unique ways (and don’t forget to have a prominent search bar).

2. Developing a Quick, Easy, and Secure Checkout Experience

You should always endeavour to optimize your checkout experience where you can, as this element forms the very core of your online store. If it’s too long-winded and complicated for your customers to pay for the goods or services they want, they’re much more likely to abandon their shopping cart. 

For one, you should always offer a guest checkout option, as many people don’t want to go through the hassle of creating an account. More generally, try to minimize the number of steps involved as much as possible and work to reduce those clicks.

3. Provide Personalized Recommendations

Personalized recommendations are a big part of the retail experience, and it’s no different in the online world. 

If you have the option, use a recommendation engine on the back end of your site to offer customers unique recommendations based on what they’ve previously browsed for and bought. You can implement these tools throughout the search page and also at the cart to entice shoppers with last-minute purchases.

4. Improving Loading Speed

And finally, it’s key to remember that we live in a world where people’s attention spans are greatly reduced from what they were even ten years ago, so make sure your website loads nice and fast. 

You can improve speeds in a number of ways, such as by compressing images (but without compromising on quality) and using a website hosting service that’s known for utilizing fast and reliable servers. 

Wrapping Up

Hopefully, you now have a solid idea of how to better design your website to be conducive to long-term customers. Start by getting that all-important smooth navigation down, and systematically work through the list until you have a site to be proud of. Good luck!

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Book review: ‘A Digest on Cryptocurrency’ by Ansh Verma

‘A Digest on Cryptocurrency’ is the new book by Ansh Verma and an in-depth look at cryptocurrency. Photo: Amazon

Ansh Verma is a researcher + author + philosopher based in Dhanbad, Jharkhand (India). He researches almost everything that can be observed, felt and/or read, including but not limited to technology, politics, divine, war, behavioral, engineering, investing, military, finance and mathematics. Post graduation, Verma has almost 20 years of experience in thinking/making sense of the world. His new book “A Digest on Cryptocurrency” covers a wide range of topics – the history of cryptocurrency, the different types of cryptocurrencies, and cryptocurrency and the future of finance, that provide a comprehensive understanding of cryptocurrency.

“A Digest on Cryptocurrency” – This expanded digest gives readers a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the diverse aspects of cryptocurrency. Newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts will find it equally helpful, as it includes recent developments in the field. Ansh Verma defines cryptocurrency, covers the history behind it, describes the different types of cryptocurrencies, lists the challenges and concerns surrounding it, which include environmental concerns due to its significant energy consumption, and how it can be used in industries such as gaming and space exploration.

He begins in Introduction to Cryptocurrency by defining it “a revolutionary form of digital or virtual currency that operates on the principles of cryptography and blockchain technology.” He explains the concept, how blockchain technology makes it work, and its basic decentralized structure. In History of Cryptocurrency, he gets deep into the history of this digital currency, including the early beginnings of Bitcoin and the background of Satoshi Nakamoto, its creator. For anyone really interested in Blockchain Technology, this chapter goes heavily into how it works, its core features, and how it can be used to ensure security and transparency in cryptocurrency.

The rest of the book is divided as such:
Cryptocurrency Mining
Popular Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrency Exchanges
Crypto Wallets
Cryptocurrency Investment and Trading
Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
Cryptocurrency Regulations
Cryptocurrency and the Future of Finance
Cryptocurrency and Environmental Concerns
Cryptocurrency in Everyday Use
Challenges and Opportunities in Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency in the Media and Public Perception
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)
Cryptocurrency and Space Exploration
Cryptocurrency and Gaming Economies
Quantum Computing and Cryptocurrency Security

Overall, “A Digest on Cryptocurrency” is an extremely helpful guide to all matters concerning cryptocurrency. From the history of this innovative digital currency, to the wide variety of uses in various industries – as well as its challenges and concerns, readers will no doubt find these topics informative. The chapters are short and structured to make it convenient to re-read those of particular interest at any given time. Ansh Verma has a way of making any topic easy to follow and understand and this one is no different. If you are looking for a book that fully explains all the concepts of cryptocurrency, then this one is a must-read.

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Book of the week: ‘Money on the Side: 75 Ways to Earn Extra Money Working Side Jobs’ by MM Barricelli

‘Money on the Side: 75 Ways To Earn Extra Money Working Side Jobs’ by MM Barricelli

MM Barricelli is a sales and marketing freelance consultant, writer, and author. With a technology background, she has 25 years’ experience in direct sales and new business development having held positions as a National Sales Manager and Director of Marketing. She also provides research on various topics for other writers, companies, and agencies. Her book “Money on the Side: 75 Ways to Earn Money Working Side Jobs” can help you find ways to earn extra money doing small side jobs using the basic skills you use everyday. (MM Barricelli, 2022)

“Money on the Side: 75 Ways to Earn Extra Money Working Side Jobs” – Are you working a full time job and still not able to make ends meet? Want to start a part time business but having trouble getting started? Are you interested in making extra money using your basic everyday skills? Thought about becoming a real estate agent, insurance broker but not sure how to get started? What about landscaping, personal bookkeeper, party planner, personal driver, personal chef? This book can help you get started with 75 Job ideas for earning extra income doing side jobs, short gigs, freelance and part time work. Taking control of your income gives you the freedom to be your own boss. You get to choose your own hours and the type of work and pay you desire. Outlined in this book are 75 job ideas for earning extra money. If you are working a full time job and need money don’t wait for that raise to come anytime soon in this crazy economy. Take control of your money and create multiple streams of income. The only way to gain financial freedom is to start making money on the side.

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