Jessica Pratt, Financial Planner with WyoU Financial Strategies, LLC.

10/02/2026

Now that things are settling down…what next?

The last couple of weeks forced a lot of us to pay closer attention to our money than we normally might.
You may have discovered a couple of things and you might be wondering:

Okay…now what?

If you discovered:

1. “I realized I don't really know what I should be doing next.”
Maybe you know the basics—save, invest, pay down debt—but you're not sure how to prioritize them.

This is where a financial planner can help.

They can help you look at the whole picture, understand the trade-offs, and determine what makes sense to do next.

2. “I have assets. I just want someone to help me manage them well.”
Maybe the planning isn't the biggest question.

You already have investments, retirement accounts, or other assets and primarily want professional help managing, investing, monitoring, and protecting what you've accumulated.

This may be where an investment adviser or wealth manager fits.

3. “I actually know what I need to do. I just need a better way to DO it.”
Maybe this experience showed you that your plan mostly makes sense—you just don't have a good system for keeping track of what's happening between paychecks, bills, savings goals, and real life.

You don't necessarily need someone to tell you what your goals should be.

You need a system that helps you execute them.

That might mean improving your own tracking system, using budgeting/cash-flow tools, automating certain decisions, or getting more hands-on implementation/accountability support.
You might need one of these. You might need pieces of all three. Or you might realize you're actually in pretty good shape.

✨💡✨The point isn't to run out and hire someone because online banking went down.

It's to pay attention to what the experience showed you—and decide whether there's anything you'd like to do differently going forward!✨💡✨

09/11/2026

Hello again — it’s September 11, 2026.
I wanted to follow up after having more time to think about this situation.
If you bank with Hilltop and right now you're thinking:
“I honestly have no idea where to start.”
or
“I knew I should have done something sooner.”

It’s time to choose a better way.

Hilltop is responsible for the systems that are currently unavailable, but they were never responsible for making sure we understood our own finances.

I don’t say that to pile blame onto anyone who is already stressed. I say it because this situation has exposed something we actually have some control over.

If you don’t know what has come out, what still needs to come out, what you’ve spent, or what needs to happen before your next paycheck, this is an opportunity to start changing that.

You do NOT have to figure out your entire financial life today.

Just start with theses steps using the resources from yesterday or the picture guide below:

1. Gain Clarity and rebuild over the next few weeks
2. Start your own running record
3. When online banking returns, reconcile.
(YouTube Reconciliation resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v_4ZFehkt0&utm_source=chatgpt.com )
4. Then keep doing it and continue to build your process.

09/11/2026

Great Clarity update from I saw just now (9/11/26 at 9:43 am) Hilltop Bank's update website:

"Direct Deposit
We have received a lot of questions about direct deposit. Direct deposits will be received by the bank and customers will have access to their funds."

Keep checking for updates from them: hilltopbankupdates.com

Send a message to learn more

09/10/2026

Can’t see your bank balance? Here’s what you can do right now.

Resources:
Hilltop Bank update site:
hilltopbankupdates.com

Google Sheets Account Register Worksheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E8JpnWEDF1R2eSwxhkRit4LW31u4LE0uWBSsgSoCIds/copy
(you will need to have a google account and be signed into make a copy)

Office address 254 N Center Street suite 1a

Updates as I understand it:

Some limited transactions can be taken care of at the branch. Direct deposits from employers will not clear until the system is up and they can work with that transaction
*** this was as of 8:30 am 9/10/26. Please verify that with Hilltop if it is a concern for you.

07/29/2026

There has been a things happening behind the scenes here at WyoU. Changes are coming....

05/12/2026

🚨 ATTENTION NATRONA COUNTY COMMUNITIES🚨
I see posts all the time asking for more financial literacy for our young adults.

The reality is… we’re trying. There have been many workshops and classes are offered to our community that often go unattended or canceled.

BUT RIGHT NOW, there is an opportunity I hope families of Natrona County don’t let pass them by. Thanks to the Kiwanis Club of Casper Financial Literacy Project and Curt Weston’s generous legacy, every graduating senior in Natrona County has the opportunity to receive a complimentary Start Here Financial Binder.

This isn’t just another budgeting worksheet or finance information. It’s a hands-on, real-life framework to help graduates:
✅ organize their money
✅ plan paycheck-by-paycheck
✅ understand real-world spending
✅ set goals with intention
✅ and build confidence navigating adulthood

The goal is simple:
Help graduates connect the knowledge to action in real life.

🎓 Distribution events and pickup opportunities will take place throughout graduation season.

PLEASE don’t let this opportunity pass your graduate by.
More details can be found on the Kiwanis Club of Casper page and the flyer below 👇

**Casper Christian School's will be delivered to the school next week. Key Club members will receive theirs at the end of the year party.

01/06/2026

Weird thought as I am sitting here waiting to pick up my kiddo and thinking about my website copy I’m refining….

Isn’t it funny how we spent our high school years dreaming about being an adult and the freedom we would have. Now, as adults we are dreaming of the day we can retire, once again chasing that idea of freedom….

02/13/2025

🤔What’s Holding You Back? Let’s Talk About It.

We’ve all been there. You keep telling yourself, “I’ll make my finances a priority when…” but the truth is, life doesn’t wait for the “right” moment.�Maybe it’s time. You’re juggling everything else, and figuring out your finances feels overwhelming.�Maybe it’s money. You’re worried about spending money to learn how to manage it.�Or maybe it’s the idea that you can figure it out on your own, someday.
Here’s the thing:�
💡 You don’t need to be perfect with money to take the first step. And you’re not alone in feeling like this is hard—because it is. But having the right tools, systems, and guidance can make a big difference. It becomes easier by doing it consistently over time.
💬 “I don’t have the time.”�I hear this a lot, but imagine the time you could save by having a clear process to manage your money. Instead of spinning your wheels every month, you could have a repeatable process that helps you focus on your financial priorities and goals.
💬 “I can’t afford it.”�I get it. Spending money to fix money stress feels backward, but investing in learning how spend and plan confidently can save you time, money, and energy over the long run.
💬 “I can do it myself.”�You can try, there are a lot of free resources, but ask yourself—has DIY been working for you so far? If not, it might be time to try something new.
✨ The Strategic Cashflow Classes are designed to help you set up a sustainable system to manage your money, reduce financial stress, and work toward the goals that matter most to you. These systems have been tested and refined since 2008 to help myself and others navigate real-life financial demands and goals with clarity and confidence.
Ready to move past excuses that are holding you back and take the first step?�Now is the time, registration closes on February 13th, 2025: https://www.wyoufinancial.com/financial-literacy-classes

02/04/2025

Mindset Monday: You’re Not Saving for Retirement—You’re Investing for Future Income
💡 What if I told you that you're not actually "saving" for retirement?

The way you think about your investments can impact your financial decisions and lead to unnecessary stress. Let’s shift your mindset:

If you had cash in a savings account and it suddenly dropped in value, you’d be rightfully worried. But investments don’t work the same way—and treating them like cash can cause unnecessary panic.

Think of It Like Buying a Pair of Jeans
👖 Imagine you buy a new pair of jeans today at full price. Tomorrow, they go on sale for 30% off.

Did you suddenly have a pair of jeans with only one leg? No. You still have the same pair of jeans.
Investments work the same way. If the market drops, the value of your shares declines—but you still own the same number of shares. The only way you truly lose is if you sell at a lower price.

That’s why staying invested during downturns is often the best strategy. As the saying goes, “Only those who jump off the rollercoaster get hurt.” 🎢

What This Means for You
👴 If you’re near or in retirement: This is where things get trickier. You may need to sell shares for income, potentially at a loss. One major key to managing this risk? Having a flexible spending system that allows you to adjust your expenses based on market conditions. It’s not just about cutting back—it’s about having the confidence to make informed spending decisions when things don’t go as planned!

📈 If you’re in the accumulation phase: Market declines are actually great news. Why? Because you’re buying those jeans on sale! The more shares you buy at lower prices, the higher your potential future gains.

Change the Way You See Your Investments
🔹 Investments ≠ cash savings.�
🔹 Losses aren’t realized unless you sell.�
🔹 Your cost basis (what you paid) can matter more than the daily balance.

💭 Want to feel more confident managing your money—whether you're growing your wealth or preparing for retirement? The key is having a clear, flexible system to guide your spending. Whether through one-on-one coaching or my Strategic Cashflow Classes, I’ll help you create a process that puts you in control of your money. Let’s talk

📩 Drop a comment or set up a Q&A session here: https://calendly.com/wyoufinancial/qa