My Money Story

What you experienced growing up impacts how you make financial decisions today. My first solid memory of money discussions was on Saturday mornings when my parents would sit at the kitchen table. They would talk about the bills they were paying and balancing the checkbook. My mom was more of the saver and my dad was slightly more of a spender, but they both believed in being honest, paying their bills on time and having as little debt as possible. My parents were depression babies, they were the first in their families to have college degrees and they both had strong work ethics. My dad lost his job in one of the first white-collar "downsizing" events that took place in the mid-70's. Back then, that was a new term. I was a sophomore in high school at the time and from that point on my perspective of money changed. For my dad it was demoralizing, and he felt ashamed. Psychologically he never got over it. My mom continued working full-time until she was 70.

I took an unexpected turn while I was pursuing a degree in Education and Psychology at Bowling Green State University. Prior to leaving for London, England, where I did my student teaching, I had to complete an elective. The only course available was Personal Finance. To my amazement I found it fascinating. After teaching a few years, I started working toward my calling. First at Merrill Lynch, next at a small money management firm in Dublin and then at a financial planning firm in Upper Arlington. In my quest to be a financial planner, no one seemed to be providing this service in the manner in which I felt it should be done. I wanted to help people who had a vested interest in achieving their dreams and to conduct this in a personable and relaxed environment. So, as one of the few women in this profession at that time, I founded Alexander Financial Planning. It was my background in education and psychology combined with my passion in personal finance that has led me to this vocation.

We are all a product of our past. No two stories are alike. We have pre-conceived notions about money based on where we have come from. Appreciate where you are; value where you have been; allow yourself the understanding to build a bridge between these two.

About Me

I have been a resident of Grandview Heights since 1980. I enjoy spending time with my best friend, Gene, my 3 children and 3 grandchildren who live in Columbus. My passions are running, hiking, traveling, cooking, and music. I am active in my community, in several professional organizations and have served on several non-profit boards.

My Money Story

As we grow up, we learn about money in very individual ways and what we learn creates our money scripts which impact us for the rest of our lives. Our thoughts and feelings about money as adults make perfect sense when we know and understand our money scripts.

My parents were both born in the mid-thirties, so they experienced the fallout from the Great Depression. They were very secretive about money and it was a taboo subject in our house. We never knew how much they earned, what debts they had or how they managed their finances. My father was a high school teacher and my mom stayed home to raise my three brothers and me. To this day I’m amazed they were able to raise four boys on his single income. We never had the latest gadgets or trendiest clothes, but we never really wanted for anything. We packed our lunches for school every day, we got yelled at all the time for leaving lights on in unoccupied rooms and I remember having to sleep in long-johns and wool socks under several blankets on many cold winter nights. They could certainly stretch their dollars. Shortly after getting into financial planning my dad approached me to be his planner. I was very honored and quite surprised because I remembered how secretive he was growing up.

Even after becoming a financial planner I never gave my money scripts much thought until I took Behavioral Finance for my Master’s degree. Only then did I put the pieces together and now understand why I think and feel the way I do about money.

I learned early on in my financial planning career that financial planning is not just about the numbers. Actually, the numbers make up a relatively small part of financial wellness. The numbers support and help achieve the goals, not the other way around.

The most rewarding aspect of being a financial planner is making a difference in people’s lives and helping them realize their dreams. Here at AFP we change lives.

About Me

I enjoy spending time with my family - Christine, two daughters and a grandson. I like playing guitar, photography and I’ve recently started bicycling. Christine and I are involved in our parish in Newark. I enjoy mentoring newly engaged couples, being involved in music ministry and the Men’s Ministry team. I am also the Program Director for the Central OH Financial Planning Association (FPA) Board.

My Money Story

I was raised by adoptive parents with a 17-year age difference between them. Mom was the older spouse, born in 1917 and despite working for a stockbroker, she invested solely in real estate. Dad was a liberal spender. Together they owned and operated a sole proprietorship where dad was a veterinarian and mom kept the books. I never knew it growing up, but later learned they struggled to balance income and overhead of the business with the needs (and wants) of the family. I’ve tried to live “within my means” because failing to maintain this balance can be stressful.

I am a creative soul and attended cosmetology school to fill a year after graduating from high school as a junior. I wanted to become an interior designer and earned an associate degree before getting married. Plans to begin a home renovation business with my husband were thwarted by news that we were instead to be parents. My husband took a company job with benefits and I spent 10 years at home. During that time, I became a Licensed Real Estate Sales Agent in the State of Ohio but learned that I did not enjoy relying on commission sales.

When choosing to re-enter the work force, I was seeking a part-time job with minimal travel and overhead that would permit me to maintain a presence at home. I took a position with Alexander Financial Planning to learn about money but have experienced more growth and fulfillment than I ever anticipated. I have been with Alexander Financial Planning since November 2001. Working to help our clients find and maintain their own balance is personally rewarding for me.

About Me

I currently live in Upper Arlington. My husband and I have three children and I enjoy music, sports and RV camping with my family. I was a volunteer Girl Scout troop leader for 12 years. I have volunteered with local youth sport organizations.