After 25 years in the Information Technologies field, Kim Staudenraus felt like something was missing. She wanted to be doing more to help others. In 2006 Kim decided it was time to begin to change her career path. She had a passion to help others live a better life, a life without the stress of debt. She attended training with Dave Ramsey and the Lampo Group and became a Certified Money Management Coach. She started Tranquility Financial Visioning, LLC, began coaching and mentoring others on how to live a life free of debt, improve their income as well as family situation. You can follow her tweets @LifeandFinances and her blog at TranquilityFinancial.com. And today you can learn a little bit more about her in our Twitter Tuesday Profile.
OODC: How did you get started blogging and tweeting?
@LifeandFinances: When I began my money management coaching business I realized I was limited to helping only those who engaged in my services. I started my blog to touch as many other people as possible who were seeking money management help. I first started blogging under my personal blog, KimStaudenraus.com and soon realized that I needed a blog that was focused more on finances, that is when I expanded TranquilityFinancial.com to include a blog.
As far as Tweeting, I am fairly new to that, and again, use it as another great avenue to spread the word of debt free living.
OODC: You work as a financial coach. Do you think everyone who has financial problems could use a financial coach?
@LifeandFinances:This is a great question. Quick answer is yes, if someone has a problem they most likely need some coaching or mentoring from an experienced non-biased third party to help them get a different perspective, provide some recommendations and encouragement to help them out of their problem.
OODC:Do I think everyone with financial problems needs to “pay” for a coach?
@LifeandFinances:No. At least not at first. So many times people in financial distress are very quick to throw money at their problem because they are desperate for help. Some think that help from a coach might be a “quick fix” to their problem.
I encourage those with financial problems to first seek out free help by reading financial blogs as well as through a forum or email discussion with a reputable money coach who has the goal of mentoring and teaching people the basics of money management, dealing with creditors and related financial situations. This way they are able to get to know the coach a bit as well as get an idea of the type of changes they may need to make to their lifestyle before investing with a coach.
Similar to any type of problem, before coaching will be successful one has to admit they have a financial problem and be willing and ready to make changes to solve that problem. If after understanding the type of changes they may need make and willingness to make those changes, that is when I would encourage a fee based coaching or mentoring option. It is very difficult to get out of debt without some third party support and encouragement.
OODC:I’m sure you’ve helped a lot of people gain financial freedom. Can you share one of your biggest success stories with us?
@LifeandFinances:I would love to. I had a couple in their late 50’s. They were $35k in credit card debt. They had more than just financial trouble they were in a marital crisis due to their finances. The husband was a very proud man, and in no way wanted to be a part of the coaching process but he loved his wife dearly and that is why he was there. His wife was the one who knew they were not only headed toward a financial disaster but divorce as well.
Both were so unhappy with the situation they had stopped communicating, they basically had giving up on each other and were drowning their sorrow by buying “stuff” they could not afford just to get a brief shot of “happiness” at least until the next credit card bill came.
Not only did I work out a budget for them, as well as recommend some things to sell, I also encourage them to begin reading and going through the workbook “Love & Respect” by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. I did this to help open up their lines of communication again. When it comes to a couple and money, it is imperative that both spouses are on the same page and communicating openly about money in order for financial freedom to be achieved in a marriage.
This couple had to learn all over again how spend properly and manage money, but they also had to relearn how to be a couple, to work together. Well, to make a long story short, they are now debt free except for their home, their plan is to have that paid off in 4 years and retired totally debt free.
Yes, their financial success was great, but what really made this a success story for me is that they are a communicating happy couple again.
OODC:What do you hope people gain from reading your blog?
@LifeandFinances:First and foremost “hope” regardless of the situation you are in, there is always hope, especially through the help of Jesus Christ. Secondly, you are not alone. Many people think “we are the only one in this situation”. My goal through blogging is to show that you are not alone and that success is possible for everyone regardless of how much debt there is or how dire the situation appears.
OODC:Who are some of your favorite money tweeters?
@LifeandFinances:@christianpf, @MH4Christians, @moolanomy, @paidtwice, @FrugalHacks, @providentplan, @DebtProofLiving.
Thanks again to @LifeandFinances for being part of this week’s Twitter Tuesday Profile. Want to be considered for an upcoming profile? Just tweet me!