When it comes to women and money matters, dollars and cents are closely tied to emotions. According to financial coach, Tishka Scott, the must-have designer handbag, extravagant dinners or the $6 latte on the way to the office are all tied to the feelings associated with the purchase.

“As human beings, our thinking as it relates to money is often rooted in specific beliefs, habits and attitudes developed throughout a lifetime,” Scott explains. “The debt, stress and deferred goals associated with emotive spending can be extremely frustrating for otherwise successful women.”

Through her firm, Pearls of Wisdom Financial Coaching, Scott helps clients recognize the emotional triggers surrounding spending. Her consultations go beyond the budgets and spreadsheets.

“Typically, I use a 90-day benchmark to help persons reduce expenses and increase monthly income. We examine spending habits and the attitude associated with each transaction.”

Next month, Scott will launch the Financial Freedom Academy, a seven-week course for persons seeking to shift their money mindset. As a certified financial trainer through the Bentley Coaching Institute, she will walk participants through effective budgeting and goal setting, debt dumping, curbing emotional spending and ways to increase earning potential. Weekly breakout sessions will deal specifically with financial challenges and goals.

Within one year, clients using Scott’s methodology have reduced debt by more than $5000 and added $10,000 plus to savings. “That financial nest egg could mean the difference between having the funds to start a business, placing a down payment on a real estate investment or funding an advanced degree,” she said.

To jumpstart your 2015 financial plan and register for the Financial Freedom Academy, email tishka@powfinancialcoaching.com or call 424-6146. Registration is $420 and includes event materials and refreshments. Payment options are available.