Spring Cleaning Money Habits

Sometimes I question why the new year starts in the winter, when there’s no marked change in the seasons (at least in New England!). This time of year is so motivating for cleaning out and creating new, healthy habits, with everything from food to your closet, and even your money.

I’ve already done a huge closet cleanout (getting rid of 7 trash bags full of stuff I never wear!), and I’m working on creating better habits financially so that I make better choices (like NOT having 7 trash bags full of stuff I don’t wear again in the future!).

So I signed up for a money coaching session. Have you ever heard of a money coach? I hadn’t either, until I made an appointment with one at one of the 8 Boston-area Capital One Cafes. A money coach isn’t like a financial advisor, but more like a therapist-meets-your-favorite-teacher.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I entered Lisa’s office she was super friendly and we got right to work. After an hour, I felt like I had learned a lot about myself and even had some (easy) homework to do when I left! Money coaching sessions, at least in my experience, are about setting achievable goals for yourself to create better financial habits. And with half of Bostonians (a full 50%) not able to invest more in their passions because of financial obstacles, I’m so glad that Capital One decided to put 8 different cafes in the Boston area!

Financial goals and what drives you are so personal, but I want to share some info about my session while it’s still fresh in my mind.

First we talked about what’s most important to me in the way of choosing A or B for different sets of things: family time or more recognition at work, for example. We came up with a list of 6 words that are my driving forces (yours, for example, might be “feeling charitable” or “ambition”). Then Lisa had me write down something I want to do but for some reason am not currently doing. And then she asked me to quickly (without thinking too much) tell her why I’m not doing that thing, which made me blurt out two pesky things I’m sure you’re familiar with: They’re called time and focus/energy.

We chatted a little bit about this, and I told her that I’m a list person: I always have a to do list with me, no matter where I am. So my homework is to take my current to do list and to mark next to each “to do” item which of my 6 words are covered by that item. I’m a little scared to see the results!

Have you ever done something like this? It’s such a new concept to me, but I love the idea of taking a step back and figuring out my bigger-picture goals!

I’ve been raving about my experience to my family and friends, and I keep telling them that they wouldn’t believe what these Capital One Cafes are like – it’s unlike any bank I’ve ever been to!

First of all, there’s coffee and locally-made baked goods, and the staff isn’t here for a regular banking experience: You’re welcome to come in, plug in, and work away at one of their countertops or tables! (But don’t miss the interactive tools and games they have on the touchscreens – they’re worth checking out!) And they even have conference rooms you can reserve for student groups or nonprofits.

Insider tip: If you visit the Capital One Cafe in the Seaport, head up to the 2nd floor for a cozy spot to do your work or studying. Way better than an office or library, right?

Thank you to Capital One for sponsoring this post! In full disclosure, I had committed to attending one money coaching session but had such a good experience that I signed up for 2 more!