Let’s be honest - money is emotional.
Hi! I'm Litsa, a mindful spending coach, licensed clinical social worker, and certified YNAB coach.
For over 25 years, I've worked as a therapist, educator, and workshop creator, helping people understand how their thoughts, emotions, and experiences influence their choices. Today, I bring that perspective to money.
I work primarily with Gen X folx and older Millennials who want to feel more confident managing their finances, especially those navigating life and money on their own.
Maybe you've tried budgeting before, but nothing seems to stick. Maybe you're earning a decent income but wondering where it all goes. Or perhaps your life and priorities have changed, and the way you've been managing money no longer fits.
My approach combines an understanding of the emotions behind spending with practical tools to help you make intentional decisions, build financial stability, and create more room for what matters to you.
Because managing money isn't just about making the numbers work. It's about making your money work for your life.
How I Got Here
If you'd told me ten years ago that I'd be helping people with their finances, I would have given you a very bewildered look.
I used to think I was just bad with money and that it was some innate quality other people had and I didn't. What I eventually realized was my struggle had nothing to do with the math. It was about mindset. It was about the stories I carried, the shame I felt, and the way I kept lumping "managing my money" in with "all that complicated investing stuff."
Once I separated those two things, everything shifted.
I started learning. I found YNAB and it changed how I related to my own budget. But I didn't like YNAB when I first came across it. I kept learning and a years later I tried it again. Now I'm a certified YNAB coach. It’s safe to say my opinion changed.
Over time, I began to see how closely money, time, and energy are connected. We have limited amounts of all three, and how we use them shapes the lives we create.
That understanding is central to my coaching today. I don't believe in rigid budgets or perfection. I believe in building a flexible spending plan that reflects your priorities, supports your well-being, and adjusts as life changes.
What I Believe
Your money history matters.
Our spending habits don't develop in a vacuum. They're shaped by our experiences, relationships, expectations, and what we've learned about money. Understanding those patterns helps us make different choices.
Managing money on your own comes with unique challenges.
When you're the primary decision-maker, the responsibility for your financial well-being rests largely with you. You deserve tools and support that recognize that reality.
Your spending plan should support your life, not control it.
A good spending plan makes room for responsibilities, enjoyment, and the future. It should help you make thoughtful tradeoffs without feeling like you're constantly depriving yourself or starting over.
You don't have to get everything right to make progress.
Life changes. Priorities shift. Unexpected expenses happen. Financial confidence comes from learning how to adjust, not from following a perfect plan.
If any of this sounds familiar, if you're tired of feeling behind, ashamed, or just confused about where your money goes, I'd love to help.
No complicated programs. No pressure. Just honest conversation, practical tools, and a next step you can actually take.