Winter 2026 Newsletter

Hi Friends,

I hope the first month of 2026 has been kind to you.

To be transparent, I struggled with sending this out today; I’m still not entirely sure if it’s the right decision. Things feel heavy right now, and ignoring what is happening in Minnesota doesn’t feel honest. I am sending this with the hope that it brings you some lightness, but if that’s not what you need today, I invite you to take three minutes to care for yourself however you see fit instead of reading on.

Financial Permission Slips

Lately, I’ve been having many conversations with clients about “shoulds.” Our culture is full of "shoulding," especially regarding personal finance: you should buy instead of renting; you should always use joint accounts; you should become a landlord!

But personal finance is personal. For many, especially DIY folks and couples merging finances, we often discover that what works best isn’t necessarily what they thought they “should” do.

Inspired by these conversations, I’ve set a goal for 2026 to dive deeper into a project I’m calling Financial Permission Slips. My goal is to interview 20 people I admire to uncover stories of unconventional financial choices. I want to hear about times when someone went against the grain of mainstream advice to prioritize their values or joy. I hope to turn these insights into a deck of "Permission Slip" cards featuring questions and vignettes to spark deeper money conversations. If you have thoughts on this, I’d love to chat.

From the Blog: What To Ask Before Hiring Your Parents’ Financial Advisor 

While there are always exceptions, your parents’ financial advisor might not be the right person for you. It’s not because they aren’t doing a great job for your parents, but because your life and financial needs are likely completely different. They are often focused on spending their wealth, while you are likely focused on growing yours. Check out the blog for my thoughts on what to consider before hiring your parents’ advisor.

A Timely Tip: Free Tax Help

This will be my second year volunteering with AARP Tax-Aide in Bellingham, WA. This program offers free tax preparation by trained volunteers for members of the community. If you or someone you know needs help with their taxes this year, you can find a local site here.

Cents of Joy News

I’m excited to announce that I’ve built out my optional ongoing financial planning services! While this isn't necessary for every client who has completed a Financial Blueprint, a proactive, ongoing relationship can be beneficial. You can view the service calendar here.

What I’m Pondering

📖 Reading: Prenup Partnership. A few local advisors have started a financial planning book club, and this is our first pick. I’m eager to learn more about supporting couples through the pre-nup process and will share a review on the blog soon.

👂 Listening To: This Playlist. My brilliant friend Jules, a music supervisor, asked 43 people for a song that marked a new beginning in their lives. She shared these anonymously on her Substack, Cuesheet, which I highly recommend.

📲 Following: @SmallWaveSauna. I’m fully on board with the sauna/cold plunge trend. While visiting my parents over New Year’s, I visited this beachside sauna in Newport, RI. I may or may not have spent the entire session running the numbers to build my own...

💡 Thinking About: A friend asked me this question from a Chris Williamson podcast: "If your life was a movie, what would the audience be screaming at the screen for you to do?"

💬 Quoting: “Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.” — Oliver Burkeman, Meditations for Mortals.

Thank you for being part of the Cents of Joy community. If this email sparked any questions, please feel free to reach out or forward it to someone who might benefit from this approach to finance.

Wishing you a joyful and restful winter,

Audrey