JOYCE INGRAM

My Story

My journey to being a financial advisor started when I was turned down for a Mrs. Field’s Cookie franchise at age 19.

I had been visiting Hawaii when I first discovered the tasty opportunity and I was sold on the idea of making my own business out of it.

Sadly, I was turned down because they weren’t operating in Canada yet. Instead of dampening my entrepreneurial spirit, the experience made me realize there was a part of me that didn’t want a conventional 9-5 life.

And even though I did 9-5 work through 40 years of living, including getting married and raising my son, that entrepreneurial spark stuck with me. I always had a side hustle.

Why is it important to have a positive mindset in financial wellness?

Having a positive mindset is imperative and crucial as it can shape your attitude, behaviours, decision making processes related to money and overall well being.

Views life from a different perspective – from place of challenge or opportunity for growth
Being proactive while having good saving habits and sets realistic financial goals can result in their ability to achieve it and staying motivated to achieve their goals
Having resilience when the financial ups and downs occur. Being adaptable to changes, coping with setbacks, seeking opportunity through adversity while maintaining the long term vision.
Encourages positive behaviours and habits towards savings for goals, dreams, desires and retirement
Quest to continually educate via books, courses, podcasts and financial educators

How to develop a mindful relationship with finances:

Budgeting

Understanding your priorities and values. Consider what is truly important and how to align it with your financial goals

Mindful spending

Being aware and ask yourself if it’s a want or a need to spend on the item. Does it align with your goals, purpose and value. Tracking your spend is key to identify any areas that could be improved or remove so it falls in line with your goals.

Reflection

Reflection on a regular basis some may wish to do it weekly so there are no surprises and there isn’t more month than money at the end of the month. What is working and what isn’t? What habit to incorporate more of and what to improve.

Gratitude

Gratitude being grateful for what you have or bringing it to fruition vs lack. Shift the focus to positive reinforcement of what you have.

Calmness

Reducing stress levels, anxiety by exercising, breathing, in nature, to feel a sense of control to make decisions that benefits your goals.

Growth

What skills can be developed over time? Have a willingness to learn and adapt and continually from a place of abundance, creating a positive outlook on the journey.

Setting Goals

Utilizing the S.M.A.R.T. Method (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time

Strategies to use includes:

Determining your timeframe if it’s a short term or long term goal. Short terms goals can include saving for Emergency Fund (3-6 months of salary), paying off credit card debt, saving for a vacation. Long term could be saving towards a home, wedding, education, retirement.
Be specific and measurable – ie. I am saving $1,000 per month to a total of $5,000 by June 30th.
Prioritizing goals – determine which is most important to properly allocate savings for each goal
Considering immediate needs – such as paying down debt or covering living expenses
Setting Realistic Goals – determining which ones are truly achievable with your timeframe and current resources or income
Reassess, track, evaluate and adjust on-going basis to ensure it’s on track to goal

For larger goals, chunk it down to smaller sizeable goals so it’s not overwhelming and still achievable. Celebrate the smaller wins along the way to stay on positive track.