Being in Abundance

01/08/2026

One of the biggest retirement planning mistakes I see?
Planning for a life that doesn’t actually unfold that way.

Most people worry about underestimating retirement costs.
But just as often, I see people overestimate expenses — especially travel and healthcare — and it quietly costs them options, freedom, and experiences - CHOICE

And I think it depends if your more naturally a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty type of person Or you're the planner/saver versus the spender

Either way, here’s what can happen:
• We imagine retirement as one long, high-energy adventure
• We assume we’ll travel more — and keep that pace for years
• We build in inflation on top of already inflated estimates
• We plan out of caution… or fear… or headlines

But real life doesn’t move in straight lines.

Retirement spending usually follows phases:
• Go-Go years — active, travel-heavy, higher discretionary spending
• Slow-Go years — fewer trips, more home-based living
• No-Go years — priorities shift again

Most plans don’t reflect that.

When plans don’t reflect that, people often become overly cautious — holding back money they could have used earlier for meaningful experiences ✈️, flexibility 🌱, or peace of mind 💛

To me, Financial Sovereignty isn’t about having the biggest number.
It’s about having a plan that fits your life — one that gives you confidence to spend, save, and say yes (or no) intentionally, without second-guessing yourself.

A cushion can be helpful.
But when overestimating leads to playing small, it’s worth revisiting the assumptions.

The real goal isn’t a “perfect” plan.

It’s a plan that:
• matches how life actually unfolds
• evolves over time
• reflects your priorities — not just worst-case scenarios

If you’ve ever wondered:
• “Am I being realistic — or just cautious?”
• “What does my spending actually look like over time?”
• “What would change if my plan reflected real life instead of fear?”

That’s exactly what we explore in a Financial Next Steps conversation.
No pressure. No shame. Just clarity and choice.

You’re not behind.
You’re not starting over.
You’re starting intentionally.

📅 Let’s talk. Calendar link in the comments.

Read the full article below, where I share my thoughts on this topic with Laura Gariepy MBA and MSN. Thanks for the opportunity to share!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/savingandinvesting/the-expenses-retirees-always-overestimate-and-they-re-costing-them-thousands/ar-AA1Teo5f?ocid=finance-verthp-feeds

Financial horror stories about retirees running out of money during their golden years are unfortunately all too common. Many people underestimate how much their retirement lifestyle will cost them,...

01/07/2026

💡 “Scared money doesn’t make money.” - love that!

That’s not just a clever line — it’s an invitation to shift from paralysis by analysis toward intentional, well-planned financial action.

If you’ve ever sat with a big pile of cash — perhaps from a bonus, RSU's, inheritance, sale of a business, or years of disciplined saving — and felt stuck, you’re not alone.

In Reuters’ latest On the Money column, 18 advisors weighed in on what someone with $300,000 in cash should do when fear of risk feels louder than the desire to grow. Thank you Lauren Young for including my thoughts

Here’s what stands out — and what I want every woman in her financial life planning journey to hear:

📌 Key Action Steps (so you’re not just waiting on the sidelines)
✔ Normalize the hesitancy
You’re thoughtful about risk — that’s a strength, not a flaw. Awareness often precedes good planning.
✔ Build your emergency fund first
3–6 months of expenses isn’t optional — it’s foundational.
✔ Define your goals
Short-term needs (house, car) have different solutions than long-term growth (retirement, legacy).
✔ Avoid the “inflation tax”
Holding all cash with low yields quietly erodes purchasing power over time. Reuters
✔ Diversify, don’t concentrate
Fear of a single theme (like AI) shouldn’t keep you from participating in markets; global diversification smooths volatility.
✔ Ease in — don’t “all-in” at once
A phased plan helps you handle risk emotionally and financially.
✔ Seek real advice

A great advisor is like a good coach — they help you stay in the game when emotions spike.

🧠 About Financial Sovereignty & Financial Restlessness
Too often we chase safety at the cost of agency. Financial Restlessness™ can arise when money is sitting still — not because there’s nothing to lose, but because we fear losing something.

True Financial Sovereignty™ isn’t about never feeling uncertain — it’s about having a framework to make decisions, rather than letting hesitation rule your outcomes.

You deserve a plan that reflects your goals, values, and timeline — not fear of headlines.

If you’re carrying cash, confidence, and questions — you’re in the company of thoughtful planners, not outliers.

Let's build a strategy that feels right and works smart.

Reach out if I can help

Here's what 18 financial advisers said in response to a question about how to proceed when you have a large amount of cash and are unsure about how to invest it.

11/24/2025

💡 Financial Sovereignty vs. Financial Independence

Financial Sovereignty is about more than simply being “independent.”

It’s when every financial decision you make flows from your authentic values and vision—not from fear, not from “shoulds,” not from someone else’s definition of success.
It’s the difference between having money and having a life that truly works for you.

And it’s comes from this place of knowing that I have a right to this quality in my life

Here’s what fascinates me about this moment: women are on the cusp of inheriting or controlling $30 trillion of wealth in America. With that shift comes responsibility—not just for ourselves, but for our families and communities.

The challenge? The financial system we’re inheriting was designed by men, for men—built around linear career paths and traditional family structures that don’t reflect the reality most women live today.

✨ It’s time to reimagine wealth on our terms. ✨
👉 How are you aligning your money with your values?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

11/24/2025

💡 When’s the Last Time Your Money Had a Checkup?

You go to the doctor, the dentist, maybe even the mechanic for regular checkups… and we're approaching year-end (that's perfect for tax planning)



But when’s the last time you checked in on your financial health?



I’m offering a complimentary 1-hour Financial Health Checkup — because your money deserves some preventive care, too.



We’ll use the Elements® Financial Vital Signs App — a simple, visual tool that gives you a snapshot of how healthy your finances really are (think of it as your financial Fitbit).



And we'll even have a "financial education" conversation around strategies that may make sense for you to consider. Just like your doctor may discuss the benefits of ensuring you have enough Vitamin D, magnesium or even zinc.



🩺 What You’ll Discover:

- Are you using your income wisely — or is it running the show?

- How much wealth do you actually need to make work optional?

- Are you taking the right amount of risk… or just losing sleep over it?

- What’s your Financial Vital Signs Score — and how can you improve it?

- Have you explored tax strategies — to more of your money?



💬 Real Questions. Real Answers.



You might be wondering:

“Am I saving enough — or in the right places?”

“Can I retire earlier than I think?” (explore work optional)

“What’s my next best financial move?”



Let’s take the guesswork out of it.

- With Elements, you’ll see the numbers that matter most — before we even talk.

- You can explore the dashboard, see your score, and get curious about where you stand.



Then when we meet, we can skip the jargon and jump right to your goals.

🌟 Ready to Get Started?

➡️ Click the link below to create your free Elements account:
https://my.getelements.com/.../LH45LS24T4J4OP6SWNEQCZ74V4...


Once you’ve set it up, I’ll personally reach out to schedule your 1-hour complimentary Financial Health Checkup — no sales pitch, just clarity.

💬 Because here’s the truth:
You’re not behind. You’re not stuck.
You’re just getting started — on your terms.

(and that's the perfect place to start from)

11/10/2025

💡 When’s the Last Time Your Money Had a Checkup?

You go to the doctor, the dentist, maybe even the mechanic for regular checkups…

But when’s the last time you checked in on your financial health?

I’m offering a complimentary 1-hour Financial Health Checkup — because your money deserves some preventive care, too.

We’ll use the Elements® Financial Vital Signs App — a simple, visual tool that gives you a snapshot of how healthy your finances really are (think of it as your financial Fitbit).

🩺 What You’ll Discover:

- Are you using your income wisely — or is it running the show?

- How much wealth do you actually need to make work optional?

- Are you taking the right amount of risk… or just losing sleep over it?

- What’s your Financial Vital Signs Score — and how can you improve it?

💬 Real Questions. Real Answers.

You might be wondering:

“Am I saving enough — or in the right places?”

“Can I retire earlier than I think?” (explore work optional)

“What’s my next best financial move?”

Let’s take the guesswork out of it.

- With Elements, you’ll see the numbers that matter most — before we even talk.

- You can explore the dashboard, see your score, and get curious about where you stand.

Then when we meet, we can skip the jargon and jump right to your goals.

🌟 Ready to Get Started?

➡️ Click the link below to create your free Elements account:
https://my.getelements.com/invitelink/accept/01JNENEMJRKKP5S2WV1V7YM38C/LH45LS24T4J4OP6SWNEQCZ74V4SIAQWX

Once you’ve set it up, I’ll personally reach out to schedule your 1-hour complimentary Financial Health Checkup — no sales pitch, just clarity.

💬 Because here’s the truth:

You’re not behind. You’re not stuck.

You’re just getting started — on your terms.

10/18/2025

Got financial questions? I’ve got answers… let’s talk 😊

10/18/2025

08/26/2025

✨ Please join me NEXT Thursday!
I’m leading a free 30-minute session as part of Money Talks, hosted by Purse Strings
📅 When: Thursday, Sept 4th at 11 AM CT /
9 AM AZ & PT / 12 PM EST
🎙️ Topic: How to Prioritize, Plan, and Pay It Down Faster — Your Debt Repayment Blueprint

⏰ Duration: Just 30 minutes

👉 Register link here & in comments ...
https://www.pursestrings.co/money-talks

Debt can feel overwhelming — but with a plan, you can pay it down smarter, faster, and with far less stress.

It’s not a webinar. It’s not a sales pitch.

It’s a community. A safe space. A reset.

💡 If you’ve been meaning to get your finances in order or just want to feel a little more confident about your money, this is for you.

I’d love to see you there!

08/12/2025

💳 Your Credit Score Isn’t Just a Number—It’s Leverage... and who couldn't use that?



Whether you’re navigating post-divorce finances, gearing up for a home purchase, or looking to start your next chapter as a business owner—your credit score plays a silent but powerful role.



📈 In my article published with , “Score More: Smart and Simple Ways to Boost Your Credit Score,” I break down credit strategy in plain English. No fluff. No shame. Just clear, actionable tips for real life.

A few key takeaways I share:

✔️ Pay on time (obvious, but it matters a lot)

✔️ Keep your credit utilization under 30%—and lower if possible

✔️ Don’t close your oldest cards (length of credit history is gold)

✔️ Be cautious with credit pulls—rate shopping for a car loan or a mortgage is one thing, but avoid opening 3 cards in a weekend



💡 Bonus: Setting up auto-pay or calendar reminders can protect your score while you're busy building the life you actually want.



As a Certified Financial Planner and CDFA®, I see the long-term impact a good score can have (even for myself) —lower borrowing costs, better insurance rates, and yes, even improved job prospects in some industries.



👉 Read the full article here:
https://pursestrings.co/score-more-smart-and-simple-ways-to-boost-your-credit-score/

Michelle Petrowski, a CERTIFIED. FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner at Being in Abundance, discusses smart ways to boost your credit score.

08/07/2025

💔 Thinking about divorce… but feeling overwhelmed by the financial unknowns?

Wondering, how am I going to do this?

If I get divorced, will I ever be able to stop working?

I’m so stressed out every day, I don’t even want to get out of bed.

I've been there and have been working with clients since 2014 to answer these questions and provide peace of mind

You're not alone—and here's the truth: divorce is not just legal—it’s deeply financial and deeply emotional.

Yet many people assume their attorney will handle everything, including the money. They won’t.

That’s where a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) like me comes in.

As a CFP® and CDFA® who lived through a less-than-ideal divorce myself, I bring both strategy and compassion to the process. I help clients like you uncover:

✅ What you own, owe, and deserve

✅ How to protect your retirement and investments

✅ What your post-divorce lifestyle could really look like

✅ How to prepare your financial affidavit accurately—and in your favor

📊 You wouldn’t skip a financial plan for your retirement.

So why do it in your divorce?

🧭 Curious about your next best move?

Let’s chat. Book a 20-minute Financial Next Steps call here:
https://calendly.com/michellebuonincontri/15minintro

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Not sure where to begin? This complimentary call is designed to help you understand which planning session or offering may be a good fit for you. As part of the process, you'll share some initial information when scheduling to help me understand where you are.During our time we'll discuss your