By Sheila Walkington, co-founder and CFO Money Coaches Canada and the Women’s Financial Learning Centre

Names and identifying details have been changed for privacy. Story used with permission.

Do you remember the children’s game Chutes and Ladders? Players are moving forward and climbing the ladders when suddenly a roll of the die lands them on a chute that sends them tumbling backwards. When we meet clients in Stage 1 of the 7 Stages of Financial Well-Being^TM – Chaos, it is almost always because a major life event (illness, death of a spouse, job loss, transition to self-employment or divorce), has sent them sliding down a chute into Chaos.

The base of the 7 Stages of Financial Well-Being^TM pyramid represents those furthest removed from feeling in control and empowered financially. For many, Chaos represents their starting point on their journey to Financial Fulfillment.

It’s essential to understand that financial well-being comes with a deeper understanding of where you stand with money, emotionally and financially, developing concise and attainable goals, getting organized and implementing a manageable plan to move forward. The 7 Stages of Financial Well-Being^TM is a framework that will help you better understand where you are, and what actions to take, as you move towards Financial Fulfillment. Continue reading →