Have you ever found yourself clinging to a belief even when presented with clear evidence to the contrary? Perhaps you continued to support a struggling investment long after warning signs appeared, or dismissed expert opinions that contradicted your market outlook. This natural human tendency reveals two powerful psychological forces that significantly impact our financial decisions: cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias.

After many years working alongside financial advisors and clients, one insight has stuck with me: true wealth isn’t just measured in dollars. It’s also measured in energy, clarity, and vitality. As we enter the last third of life, financial well-being alone isn’t enough. Physical well-being becomes a critical part of the equation.

We like to think we make rational financial decisions, but the truth is our minds often work against us. Behavioral finance explores how psychological factors influence our money decisions, sometimes in ways we don't even realize.

After 25 years as a financial steward, one of the most fascinating insights I've gained is how our minds work when making financial decisions. My journey to understand this better led me to prepare for my CIMA® designation at the Chicago Booth School of Business and my CPWA® designation at Yale School of Management, where behavioral finance was an important part of the curriculum. This field has transformed not just how I understand financial decision-making, but how I serve the families who trust us with their financial well-being.