Steve Lear

One of our key goals at SteveLear.org is working to improve financial education. Thanks to legislation passed in 2023, Minnesota high school students are now required to take a personal finance course prior to graduation.

But what if you never received any personal finance education in school? How do you close that educational gap? I recommend working with a Financial Counselor to help you learn how to manage your money effectively.

Meet Chelle Gonzo, founder of Money Nudges. With a degree in journalism and a career in the financial industry, Chelle’s superpower is turning complex money topics into simple, understandable ideas. As an Accredited Financial Counselor, Chelle has made it her mission to help women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s learn about money so they can put their most powerful advantage to work: Time!

Research shows that a lack of financial knowledge can be particularly challenging for women:

• Just 10% of women say they feel knowledgeable about money and confident to act.
• Nearly 50% of women defer to their partner on money issues.
• Yet 94% of women believe they’ll need to manage their own money at some point.

The good news is, Chelle believes it’s possible to quickly rebuild by exploring three key questions:

• How am I doing? (Examine a few key numbers to understand your financial picture)
• Where do I want to go? (Identify what’s personally important to you)
• What is my path? (Take the steps needed to achieve your financial goals)

The name of Chelle’s company, Money Nudges, describes her approach. A “nudge” is gentle guidance that encourages certain behaviors, serving as a subtle prompt or reminder. Chelle helps clients identify their priorities while gently nudging them toward effective money practices that support their financial goals. She is not a financial advisor and doesn’t manage money or sell financial products. She is a financial coach who uses her expertise to help clients overcome fear, guilt, and overwhelm so they can start building financial well-being. By showing how earning, spending, and saving are connected, she educates and empowers people to make money decisions with clarity and confidence.

Chelle offers her clients the following guidance:

• Your Money Story: How did you learn about money? What stories do you tell yourself, and are they still serving you?
• Money Snapshot: A visual picture of where money comes from and where it goes.
• Money Rules of Thumb: Practical guidelines to make money decisions less overwhelming.
• Debt Nudges: Tactics for reducing credit card and loan balances, with a timeline for how long it will take to be debt-free.
• Saving Nudges: Strategies for building different types of savings to reach financial goals.
• A Simple Spending Plan: Tracking three categories will help you feel more in control of your spending – no detailed spreadsheets needed!

Chelle can help you learn more about a specific financial issue or solve a particular challenge. If you need specialized advice, she can connect you with people who provide it.

Taking small steps toward making better money decisions fosters consistency, builds momentum, and boosts motivation. And those small changes make a BIG difference.

If you’re ready to prioritize your financial well-being and want a coach to assist you, visit Chelle’s website to learn more about her services, or contact her directly at info@moneynudges.com