As a first-generation college student attending Kansas State University, Jamie initially envisioned a career in elementary education. However, a financial crisis within her family prompted her to explore a financial planning course, which ultimately led to a reevaluation of her career path. She discovered a passion for financial planning, a field where understanding, organizing, and improving financial health could provide others with peace of mind.
Jamie’s transition from aspiring teacher to financial planner did not dampen her desire to empower others through education. In her role, she has seen the power of financial literacy in offering clarity in making informed financial decisions, effectively managing money and debt, and reducing financial stress and anxiety. Ultimately, improved financial literacy has the power to enable the achievement of financial goals.
To effectively tackle large financial goals, Jamie recommends starting by visualizing your ideal future to guide your decisions. Recognize that achieving significant objectives can be overwhelming and focus on making incremental changes, such as gradually increasing your 401(k) contributions by 1% annually. Wealth accumulation is a slow process, often misrepresented by seemingly instant successes on social media. Automate your savings to reduce temptation, using separate accounts for specific goals to streamline your progress towards financial milestones.
Listening, empathy, and a non-judgmental attitude are, to Jamie, the pillars of being a successful mentor in financial planning. Understanding clients’ emotional ties to money allows her to guide them more effectively towards realizing their financial visions without imposing her values onto their decisions.
As a mother of four, Jamie’s approach to incorporating financial literacy into parenting is grounded in openness and practicality. She challenges the taboo surrounding talking about money, teaching her kids the value of money and the principles of saving and spending wisely. From showing her children how to compare prices at the store to having them earn an allowance and save for desired purchases, Jamie emphasizes the importance of engaging children in financial decisions.
When Jamie’s eldest child was five, she realized the lack of engaging financial literacy resources for young children. This gap inspired her to write a series of children’s books on financial literacy, the tales of “Milton the Money Savvy Pup,” centered around an illustrated depiction of her family’s adorable corgi. These books, alongside her first book for adults, "Money Boss Mom," reflect her commitment to teaching financial literacy at different stages of life.
"Money Boss Mom" encapsulates Jamie’s message to parents navigating the financial demands of parenthood—emphasizing that they are not alone in their struggles. The book serves as a reference guide for managing competing priorities, including daycare costs, retirement savings, and college funds. Jamie's aim is to empower parents, providing strategies to break down overwhelming financial goals into manageable steps, and gradually build towards their vision for the future.
Jamie continues to expand her mission to promote financial literacy and empowerment. Alongside developing new children’s books focusing on themes like gratitude and the positive aspects of taxes, she’s exploring additional avenues to reach a broader audience. Whether it’s through an online class, podcast, or a television series, we are eagerly anticipating Jamie’s future creative endeavors.
Money Boss Mom is aimed at guiding young parents through the maze of financial management. A National Institute on Retirement Security study revealed that two-thirds of working millennials lack retirement savings. Research conducted by Payoff, a financial wellness company, revealed that nearly one in four Americans are experiencing symptoms associated with PTSD due to their finances. This guide demystifies financial planning, offering practical steps for improving financial health. Readers can learn to understand their financial motivations, communicate about money, align spending with values, automate financial processes, and navigate parenthood's financial demands. This book provides a toolkit for taking charge of one’s financial future.