Where did April go? Does it feel like the world is moving at double speed to you?
Keeping up with what’s happening around us is, quite frankly, overwhelming! Is it just me?

All the more reason to have healthy outlets. What are yours? 

If you’ve been following my social media posts, you’ve seen me discussing the importance of MINDSET. In finance, having a mindset that aligns with your overall financial goals is imperative. In fitness, the same holds true. So the theme for this newsletter is all about creating a strong mindset for whatever you choose to achieve.

PEAK FINANCE
This is why I believe that approaching a sound and effective strategy to achieve finance and fitness goals is quite similar.

So what does Financial Wellness even mean? How do you achieve it? Do you have it? Do you want it? I’ve been presenting this topic all through the pandemic to corporate wellness clients - employers who provide essential wellness support to their most precious asset - their employees. 

What they don’t teach you in school, and what the investment industry has failed to address with clients, is how you developed your own set of values around money. Understanding the stimuli that create financial habits is KEY

To close out NATIONAL FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH, here are some tips to assess your money mindset (be honest, dig deep) and begin fine-tuning your Money Mindset Map. You deserve  to achieve financial confidence and control your money, so that it doesn’t control you!

    
Recall your earliest memories around money. How was it handled in your home? 
How’d it make you feel? Write those down and ask yourself ‘do you feel the same way 
that you did as a child?

When did you earn your first paycheck? Do you remember how it made you feel? Did 
it motivate you? Did it seem hard to earn more? Did you put it into savings, or buy 
yourself something fun? (Remember, BE HONEST with yourself)

Have you started investing money? Do you understand how to invest? Who do you 
admire when it comes to managing money successfully? Start Investing ASAP! Educate 
yourself often! Find a mentor or friend who can offer SOUND and EXPERIENCED 
advice. 

Do you avoid looking at your bills when they arrive? Do they make you feel anxious, 
or do you feel in control of your spending and cash flow? There’s no right or wrong 
answer, by the way...even the wealthiest of people have gotten tripped up over 
finances at some point in their lives.

If you answered all of these questions with confidence and certainty, it sounds like you’ve got your money mindset mapped out well-WAHOO! 

If you feel your strategies could use some tweaks, choose ONE small category to change, start small, set specific goals, and NEVER FORGET YOUR WHY!

PEAK FITNESS
“I’ve never done this exercise before”

“Why does this movement seem so hard?”

“I would have known to use these resistance bands this way”

In case you did not already know, I program every workout with great intention. Each client comes to me with their own set of circumstances. So, while I try to focus on a similar strategy or body part each week, the workouts look different for each person. What stays the same with every fitness client, however, is that I will always challenge them to push past their ‘perceived’ limits. It’s not easy to challenge yourself physically on the regular; our brains are wired to always return to what is sure and certain and comfortable. So it is such a thrill for me when I hear someone realize that they are doing something new and different and beyond what they thought they could do. That’s my job after all. So the next time you see an exercise that looks intriguing, yet challenging, don’t be afraid to try it. Both your body and mind will thank you for stepping outside your comfort zone. 


PEAK LIFESTYLE
This is where I share something that I love with you. I recently purchased The Morning Sidekick Journal, in an effort to improve my morning routine (checking IG first thing does not help me make my 6 a.m. appointments!). This journal, by Habit Nest, is so fun to read, and easy to put into practice. In fact, Habit Nest has a whole series of journals to address many of life’s challenges -such as budgeting, nutrition, meditation, and yes, even working out. To check out the whole series, and find a better way to create habits that stick, check out the line HERE

OH, and I almost forgot to invite you to our brand new PEAK PURPOSE Live talk, launching Monday, May 10, 2021 at 5:30 pm on IG! The inaugural episode will be about, of course, MINDSET! Hannah Fisher will join the conversation to give us the pearls of wisdom she has gained as a SuperMom/Wife, Successful Business Owner, and a Stillbirth survivor mom. Bring your wine and popcorn! (It will be on @coachjuliedw live feed)

If you’re not yet following me on the platforms, here are my links:
https://www.instagram.com/coachjuliedw for Fitness tips
https://www.instagram.com/peakhealth360 for Financial Fitness tips
https://www.youtube.com/julieweidenfeld for easy to follow videos

As always, thank you for supporting me!
Xoxo

Julie

​

Ok! It’s Time!
Time for what, you may be asking.
Because you’ve been a loyal supporter of my passion trajectory, you deserve an inside track to all things Peak Health 360. Welcome to the first edition of Peak Purpose!
My brain just never seems to stop, and apparently, writing down all these swirls of thought helps with clarity, focus and forward motion. So today I begin the ‘blogging’ journey with you and for you.
I’ve made it my goal to share monthly ideas with you that will range from workouts and wellness tips to financial mindset and management tools, and maybe from time to time throw in my new favorite streaming binge (and there are tons of those). If we speak on the daily, you probably know the streaming tips, but it seems so many of us get stuck in other areas of our lives, and I would love to be one of your agents of change.
Just in case you aren’t aware, prior to becoming a fitness coach, I spent 20 years as an investment advisor and analyst, hence the financial mindset topics. In fact, almost half of my business is financial mindset consulting, which basically means that I support others in gaining greater financial confidence and aligning their money with their beliefs. Peak Finance provides online and live workshops on a variety of financial topics including Money Mindset, Savings and Emergency Funding, Sneaky Spending, Investing for Your Future, Tax Time Tips, etc. Hopefully, you get the picture. This is a hot topic for Employers, as, according to several research findings, between 35 and 50% of stress at work is related to personal finances. Fun Fact: In 2021, I’ve already presented 3 corporate wellness workshops, and have several more lined up through April.
Enough about me for now. I really WANT to hear from you, too. Tell me what’s going on in your world that has you confounded, confused or just plain stuck. Maybe we work through it together. Maybe, just from what I write, you’ll get your own ideas on how to move past the stuck-ness, into more clear territory. Either way, the purpose of the Peak Purpose Blog is to be relevant, relatable, informative and easy to read, so feedback is welcome and appreciated. We are all a work in progress, right?
If you’d rather not get ANOTHER inbox item, I completely understand. Inbox overwhelm is just one of the many areas of our electronic lives that can bring on stress triggers. This is where you message me back and say, thanks but no thanks. You can always check my social pages for topic updates. If you’re not yet following me on the platforms, here are my links: https://www.instagram.com/coachjuliedw​ for Fitness tips https://www.instagram.com/peakhealth360​ for Financial Fitness tips https://www.youtube.com/julieweidenfeld​ for easy to follow videos
Here’s a sample of what you can expect:
Make Your New Year Fitness Routine A Habit
How is your New Year Workout routine going? Are you closer to your fitness goals? I decided to wait until March to hit you up on this one, since most people tend to slide off the intended fitness resolution by March, pandemic or not. Here’s the thing though: using the pandemic as an excuse just doesn’t fly anymore. With the never-ending free workout ideas available on social media and streaming services, and all the research proving that even body weight exercises can improve your overall fitness level, the only reason you're not working out is...well, you. (Too Honest?) Hey, look, I get it. There are days when I have zero interest in exercise. But for me, knowing how I will feel later in the day if I don’t workout is motivation enough, even if I just go for a two mile walk. And let’s not even bring up the no-time excuse; I have to squeeze my workouts in between clients, and that is a moving target. So, if it means waking up 45 minutes earlier each day to just get 25-30 minutes of exercise, you and your day will be better off. Just read the myriad articles, tweets, posts and blogs about how one of the main habits of successful people is waking up early each day. The best way to kick start your mental flow is through blood flow. Just sayin...
Let me know if you need some exercises to get you started!
Tax Time Preparation tips.​ If you’re still working filing your income taxes for 2020, here are a few great ways to get and stay organized to make tax planning more efficient and effective:

• ○  Keep all of your tax documents, including W2s, 1099s, 1098s, year end statements, receipts, etc. all in one easy to locate file folder. You can find great tax filings systems through ​www.smead.com​ and the accordion file folders that have pre-categorized slots for all your tax stuff
• ○  Sign up for direct deposit at ​www.irs.gov​ for easier and faster filing as well as faster refund payments. You’ll also get any Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) sent from the government. 8 out of 10 filers receive their refunds in less than 21 days just by signing for direct deposits rather than waiting for checks to be mailed out

○ If you use a professional to prepare your taxes for you, send an inventory checklist along with your documents, so that both of you know exactly what is included, and the tax expert will know more quickly what else you need to provide to them; plus, it will reduce the amount of billable time they spend on your filing, which keeps your cost lower
Do any of these tips resonate with you?
How else can I support you? Feel free to reach out and let me know what you want to know! Happy March! Keep Moving Forward!
As always, thank your for supporting me! 

​

AVOID A HOLIDAY (SPENDING) HANGOVER
 
By: Julie Weidenfeld, CCWS, CPT
 
How you spend your time in life matters more than how you spend your money - Spend both wisely
 
Though 2020 has been a rather unusual year, Holiday season is still happening. It may be celebrated differently than in years past, but if this year has taught us anything, it’s that we have become adept at adapting. We may not be traveling to visit family and friends this season, or gathering for large feasts, but finding opportunities to celebrate each other will still be a welcome reprieve from the consuming chaos. 
 
It also may present the chance to rethink how you spend. By understanding where your dollars go each month, you are gaining greater control over your money and the ability to develop a sound spending plan going forward. According to a small study conducted by CreditKarma.com, a consumer credit reporting company, 54% of Americans are feeling more stressed than last year over holiday spending. With many furloughed or out of jobs, along with political uncertainty, this increase is not surprising. But, as Brandon Copeland, New England Patriots linebacker and personal finance expert, says “pressure creates diamonds”; in other words, use this pressure as a chance to gain greater control of your finances. Learn from past behaviors in order to do better in the future.
 
So how do you navigate the holidays successfully from a financial perspective? Here are a few tips to incorporate to help ward off the post-holiday financial hangover.
 
1) Create spending mantras before you begin shopping: IS THIS ITEM ON THE LIST? DOES IT STAY WITHIN MY BUDGET? CAN THEY/I USE THIS? CAN I FIND IT CHEAPER ELSEWHERE? Use these, or your own, mantras before checking out. Alternatively, take advantage of the myriad meditation apps available to stay mindful during this high-pressure time of year
 
2) Create a specific and clear plan for each category of holiday shopping. Such categories can include gift and gift related items, holiday decor, grocery and food products, travel expenses, clothing and accessories Assign guidelines for each category such as dollar amount, time horizon, price comparison, recipient lists, shipping costs. There are apps available to help with budgeting all of this, such as Christmas Gift List Tracker (which has a countdown to holiday feature), Santa’s Bag, and Gifster-all free!
 
3) Do your homework. Once you’ve got your plan, you should have enough time to comparison shop. Not all sales are created equal. Retailers are in business to make profits, so it only behooves you to ensure you are actually getting the deal promised you. Use the online shopping opportunity to visit various websites before making any final purchases. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day; saving money isn’t a one-and-done experience either
 
4) Collaborate with family and friends for gift assignments. For example, arrange with family members to assign a gift recipient per member with a specific dollar amount, rather than buying haphazardly for multiple relatives. Check out Elfster.com and its app to help organize this
 
5) Set up gift-giving expectations ahead of time. Friends and family should appreciate that everyone is feeling the pressure of these unusual times as relates to the holiday season. Be proactive, and communicate your gift giving plan ahead of time. This way you can alleviate some of the shopping pressure and stress. Tap into your creative side and consider hand-made gifts as part of this year’s gift bag
 
6) Limit OR eliminate the use of credit cards, especially those with high annual percentage rates (APR). While shopping may take place online more than in stores this year (51% of people surveyed admit having anxiety around in-store buying due to COVID-19 according to a Deloitte. survey), stick to using one (low-interest rate) or a limited/low credit card
 
7) Avoid the POS & Bundle enticements. Point of sale items are popping up everywhere during the holidays and can be tempting- revisit your mantras and lists before indulging. Stores are also notorious for bundling items together to make you think you’re getting a better deal; in reality, they are getting more revenue while you are most likely paying full price for all the items
 
8) Gamify your spending. Challenge yourself to strictly adhere to lists and spend less than you have budgeted. The long-term rewards will feel great
 
Remember what the holiday season is truly about-family and friends and peace and joy. By creating a successful plan ahead of time, and staying disciplined, you will set yourself for a truly successful, joyful and plentiful holiday.
 
Julie Weidenfeld is a certified corporate wellness specialist with a degree in Finance and 20 years in investments and financial management. For additional financial wellness workshops feel free to contact her via email at julie@peakhealth360.com or visit www.peakhealth360.com
 
 

Numbers may seem black and white, but your financial management doesn't have to be. Understanding how to look at your financial situation from multiple angles will go a long way in helping to achieve financial goals and save more for your future, and the future of your family. Money is, after all, a mere tool, just like a hammer. In order to drive a nail into a wall, a hammer would be the tool of choice. The same holds true when needing to buy items and services. The hammer is a no-brainer, but money doesn't always seem to be so easy to fathom, especially when not much is available to spend. What's important is the mindset behind the money. How do you view spending, savings, budgets, future, etc. Start with this question: Do you want your money to outlive you? Do you stress over money often? Does the topic of money create friction around you? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, it's time to talk it out...and then take MASSIVE ACTION. Your goals are achievable with the right mindset and a detailed, fine-tuned plan. Whether for corporate wellness programming or individual needs, we have training and workshops to address the daunting yet approachable issues around money.