Latest news with #TheBrokeBlackGirl
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
5 Key Signs You're in Financial Fight or Flight Mode, According to Dasha Kennedy
Dasha Kennedy, creator of The Broke Black Girl and financial activist, is known for sharing real-world money advice through social media and other online platforms. Recently, she partnered with National Debt Relief to offer guidance to people who have always assumed that their financial problems were the result of simply being 'bad with money.' Trending Now: For You: Kennedy said people should not blame themselves for a lack of discipline when it comes to excessive spending or failing to save for the future. She explained bad money habits may result from being in 'financial fight or flight' mode. The financial educator explained that financial fight or flight mode is 'a real physical response to stress that keeps your brain and body in survival mode.' Here are five signs that you may be operating out of fear when it comes to your money, according to Dasha Kennedy. People who avoid checking their bank accounts are not necessarily careless. They may instead be reacting to fear or anxiety surrounding their financial situation. Avoidance is not unusual when it comes to stressful situations and it may be more widespread than you think. According to a Mind Over Money study published by Capital One and The Decision Lab, 77% of respondents said they felt nervous about their finances while nearly 60% said they felt like finances controlled their lives. Read Next: Another indicator that you may be in financial fight or flight mode, according to Kennedy, is if you feel like budgeting is a punishment. Most experts agree that budgeting that is too restrictive or unrealistic can backfire. Kennedy suggested finding a system that 'works with your real life, not against it.' Feeling frozen when paying bills is a sign that your money habits may be based in fear. If you have a missed or late payment, you aren't alone. A report by NPR found that more Americans were falling behind on their bills with almost 9% of credit card balances falling into delinquency from 2023 to 2024. Higher prices and inflation are two major factors that may be contributing to the financial strain many people are experiencing. Kennedy recommended establishing a routine that helps to reduce stress when it comes to dealing with finances. People who spend to feel relief only to be bombarded with feelings of guilt afterward may not be spendthrifts. Instead, their habits may be based on a biological response to the stress they experience when faced with financial uncertainty or instability. Kennedy suggested seeking professional help to gain control over finances by building a realistic plan for spending and saving. Whether it's because of an insurmountable amount of credit card debt or living paycheck to paycheck, avoiding dealing with your financial situation may just be your body's response to a stressful situation. Kennedy recommends taking small steps to achieve financial stability, making one decision at a time to avoid triggering your body's stress hormones. More From GOBankingRates 8 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Checks 3 Reasons Retired Boomers Shouldn't Give Their Kids a Living Inheritance (And 2 Reasons They Should) This article originally appeared on 5 Key Signs You're in Financial Fight or Flight Mode, According to Dasha Kennedy Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
5 Key Signs You're in Financial Fight or Flight Mode, According to Dasha Kennedy
Dasha Kennedy, creator of The Broke Black Girl and financial activist, is known for sharing real-world money advice through social media and other online platforms. Recently, she partnered with National Debt Relief to offer guidance to people who have always assumed that their financial problems were the result of simply being 'bad with money.' Trending Now: For You: Kennedy said people should not blame themselves for a lack of discipline when it comes to excessive spending or failing to save for the future. She explained bad money habits may result from being in 'financial fight or flight' mode. The financial educator explained that financial fight or flight mode is 'a real physical response to stress that keeps your brain and body in survival mode.' Here are five signs that you may be operating out of fear when it comes to your money, according to Dasha Kennedy. People who avoid checking their bank accounts are not necessarily careless. They may instead be reacting to fear or anxiety surrounding their financial situation. Avoidance is not unusual when it comes to stressful situations and it may be more widespread than you think. According to a Mind Over Money study published by Capital One and The Decision Lab, 77% of respondents said they felt nervous about their finances while nearly 60% said they felt like finances controlled their lives. Read Next: Another indicator that you may be in financial fight or flight mode, according to Kennedy, is if you feel like budgeting is a punishment. Most experts agree that budgeting that is too restrictive or unrealistic can backfire. Kennedy suggested finding a system that 'works with your real life, not against it.' Feeling frozen when paying bills is a sign that your money habits may be based in fear. If you have a missed or late payment, you aren't alone. A report by NPR found that more Americans were falling behind on their bills with almost 9% of credit card balances falling into delinquency from 2023 to 2024. Higher prices and inflation are two major factors that may be contributing to the financial strain many people are experiencing. Kennedy recommended establishing a routine that helps to reduce stress when it comes to dealing with finances. People who spend to feel relief only to be bombarded with feelings of guilt afterward may not be spendthrifts. Instead, their habits may be based on a biological response to the stress they experience when faced with financial uncertainty or instability. Kennedy suggested seeking professional help to gain control over finances by building a realistic plan for spending and saving. Whether it's because of an insurmountable amount of credit card debt or living paycheck to paycheck, avoiding dealing with your financial situation may just be your body's response to a stressful situation. Kennedy recommends taking small steps to achieve financial stability, making one decision at a time to avoid triggering your body's stress hormones. More From GOBankingRates 8 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Checks 3 Reasons Retired Boomers Shouldn't Give Their Kids a Living Inheritance (And 2 Reasons They Should) This article originally appeared on 5 Key Signs You're in Financial Fight or Flight Mode, According to Dasha Kennedy Error al recuperar los datos Inicia sesión para acceder a tu cartera de valores Error al recuperar los datos Error al recuperar los datos Error al recuperar los datos Error al recuperar los datos
Forbes
18-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Crucial Leadership Skill Most Leaders Lack: Financial Literacy
Understanding money isn't just for finance teams—leaders who grasp financial literacy make smarter ... More decisions and drive long-term impact. Leadership is often defined by emotional intelligence. Communication is praised as the cornerstone of building strong teams. Vision is seen as the spark that turns ideas into reality. However, one crucial element rarely gets the spotlight: financial literacy. Understanding numbers or budgets isn't enough. Effective leaders must make strategic decisions and navigate economic uncertainty with confidence. But above all, they need to empower others to do the same. In short, if you want to lead, you need to understand money—not just for yourself, but for those who rely on your guidance. Yet financial literacy shouldn't be reserved for leaders alone. Every team member benefits from understanding the financial mechanics behind their work—whether reading a budget or interpreting performance metrics. Financial knowledge builds a more informed and empowered culture when shared across an organization. The problem? Too few people have ever been taught these skills, and many feel overwhelmed just trying to figure out where to start. 'Financial literacy is a human right,' states Dasha Kennedy, author of Moving Beyond Broke. 'But it's been treated as optional instead of essential. And that has to change.' Recent data confirms that financial literacy in the United States has reached its lowest recorded level. According to the 2024 TIAA Institute-GFLEC Personal Finance Index, U.S. adults correctly answered only 48% of basic financial questions on average, a decline that marks an all-time low since this survey began in 2017. The World Economic Forum, highlighting this study, also reported that U.S. financial literacy has been roughly flat at roughly 50% for several years 'with a 2% drop in the past two years', confirming the slide to a new low. Meanwhile, economic decisions are growing more complex. Leaders are expected to make calls that impact entire teams and communities. That's where financial literacy becomes more than a personal tool; it becomes a leadership asset. 'Leadership is about helping others move forward,' Kennedy says. 'And you can't do that effectively if you're financially unstable or uninformed.' She emphasizes that understanding money isn't just about budgets or spreadsheets—it's about confidence. It's about being able to handle setbacks, advocate for fair compensation and create opportunities not just for yourself but for those around you. Dasha Kennedy, financial activist and founder of The Broke Black Girl, is reshaping how communities ... More approach money—one practical lesson at a time. Advocates like Kennedy step in to fill this growing knowledge gap, translating complex finance into practical, relatable guidance. As a single mother navigating financial hardship and limited resources, Kennedy realized that most personal finance advice didn't reflect her reality—or the reality of millions of others. So, she created The Broke Black Girl, a digital platform that now reaches almost half a million women with practical, culturally relevant financial education. Kennedy offers practical strategies grounded in real-life experiences, making it easier for others to take control of their finances and build long-term stability. What sets her strategies apart is she doesn't shame. She empowers. 'People think improving your finances means making drastic changes,' she says. 'But real growth is about consistency. Even small steps count if you take them consistently.' Kennedy continues, 'One of the biggest misconceptions is that knowledge alone can close the wealth gap. But access matters. Fair wages matter. Opportunities to build wealth matter.' Financial literacy is a skill; like any skill, it can be developed with consistent effort and the right resources. Here's how leaders can level up their own knowledge and create a more financially confident team in the process: Before guiding others, leaders must assess their own financial understanding. You don't need to become a financial expert overnight. Begin with manageable habits: Financial literacy shouldn't stop with leadership. Empower your team to understand the financial systems behind their work. Break the taboo around talking about money at work. When people understand the 'why' behind financial decisions: At its core, Kennedy's message is clear: financial literacy isn't reserved for economists or CFOs. It's for everyone and especially important for those who want to lead, whether in their homes, companies or communities. 'Start now. Start small. Just start,' Kennedy concludes. 'You don't have to know everything to begin. But you do have to begin if you want to lead.'
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
7 Lessons Finance Expert Dasha Kennedy Had To Learn the Hard Way
Struggling with your finances can make you feel like you're the only one making money mistakes. But take it from Dasha Kennedy, the financial guru behind The Broke Black Girl — literally everyone has to learn some tough money lessons along the way. Trending Now: Read Next: Kennedy has built a following by sharing the real, unfiltered truth about money management that traditional experts sometimes gloss over. Through her own financial ups and downs, she's uncovered some game-changing insights that might just transform your relationship with money, too. Here are seven hard-earned lessons she's shared on social media and in her new book 'Moving Beyond: The Power of Perseverance in Personal Finance.' 'For a long time, I thought I just needed to 'budget better.'' How many times have you beaten yourself up for not sticking to a budget? Kennedy discovered the painful truth that sometimes the issue isn't your budgeting skills — it's simply not having enough income to cover your needs. This revelation was freeing for her because she realized her money struggles weren't about discipline but about access. When you're in survival mode, no amount of expense-tracking apps can fix the fundamental problem of just not having enough money. Try This: 'I used to avoid looking at my bank account, because I didn't want to feel bad.' Raise your hand if you've ever ignored checking your account balance because you were afraid of what you'd see. Kennedy found that this avoidance cycle only made her financial situation worse. Breaking free from financial shame became her first crucial step toward money management. Learning to face your numbers without judgment is sometimes the hardest but most necessary part of financial healing. 'Stop eating out,' 'Just get a high-paying job,' 'Invest everything!' Kennedy quickly realized that cookie-cutter financial advice simply doesn't work for real-life situations like being a single parent, working paycheck to paycheck or digging out from under massive debt. Instead of feeling guilty about not following generic money rules, she built a financial plan that actually fit her life circumstances — and that made all the difference. 'The first $100 I saved felt bigger than any other financial milestone.' While financial influencers were bragging about their six-figure portfolios, Kennedy was celebrating keeping $100 in her account without having to withdraw it — and that victory meant everything. This powerful realization shows how deeply personal financial progress truly is. Those seemingly tiny wins can actually be the building blocks of your financial confidence and future security. 'The key isn't doing everything at once; it's doing something consistently.' Forget those dramatic financial makeovers you see on TV! Kennedy discovered that slow, steady progress beats the intense but unsustainable 'financial crash diets' that many experts recommend. Those small, consistent actions — tracking expenses weekly, adding $20 to savings when possible or reviewing billing statements monthly — create lasting change in ways that extreme measures just can't match. 'When I finally started making more, I realized that more money just means bigger mistakes if you don't have a plan.' We've all thought it: 'If I just made X more dollars, all my problems would disappear.' Kennedy's experience proved this myth wrong. Without addressing underlying money habits first, a bigger paycheck often leads to bigger spending rather than financial security. Building money management skills matter just as much as the numbers in your bank account. 'I had to stop comparing my journey to everyone else's and focus on what made sense for me.' Feel behind on your financial goals? Kennedy had to ditch the pressure of hitting arbitrary money milestones by certain ages. There's incredible freedom in recognizing that your financial journey doesn't need to match anyone else's timeline. This perspective allowed her to focus on sustainable progress rather than rushing to 'catch up' to some imaginary standard. Kennedy's ultimate discovery was that true financial success isn't just about having money – it's about achieving financial peace. 'It's one thing to have money in the bank,' she explained, 'but it's another to feel calm, confident, and in control of your finances.' More From GOBankingRates 4 Things To Watch for as Elon Musk Takes on Social Security 12 SUVs With the Most Reliable Engines Warren Buffett: 10 Things Poor People Waste Money On 6 Big Shakeups Coming to Social Security in 2025 This article originally appeared on 7 Lessons Finance Expert Dasha Kennedy Had To Learn the Hard Way Sign in to access your portfolio
