Kakeibo: The Art of Financial Mindfulness

Gina Messina, Ph.D. 01/24/2021

By Gina Messina, Ph.D. About a year ago, a friend introduced me to Kakeibo, the Japanese art of budgeting and applying mindfulness to our spending, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. You see, I am a major contributor to our consumeristic culture. I see something shiny and I think I have to have it. A friend jokes that she hates going shopping with me because I have to pick up and touch everything on the shelves (although I’ve eliminated that practice due to COVID!). Like so many of us, I am easily persuaded by marketing tactics. Now that we so rarely spend cash, it feels like I can simply swipe a card, click a button, or use my fingerprint and suddenly I have a new…

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Categories: Institute of Women, Wellness & Work

Tagged: Budgeting, Finances

Gina Messina, Ph.D.

How Can You Increase Your Credit Score?

by Carol Strazinsky How can you increase your credit score? Financial wellness has become a critical part of understanding how we can improve our overall wellbeing and it is a question that is weighing heavy on our minds. With the pandemic many have lost jobs, experienced a decrease in household income, and as a result, credit scores are taking a hit. For many families, a good credit score is the key to not only borrowing money, but also buying your dream home and starting a family. But what if you have bad credit? Or even fair credit? If you have one of the many credit score monitoring apps out there, you know that credit isn’t just bad or good — there’s a range. The higher…

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Institute Editorial Team 09/27/2021

When is it Okay to Use Your Credit Card?

by Carol Strazinsky When is it okay to use your credit card? This is an important question to be asking ourselves. It can be tempting to purchase that designer handbag you’ve been fawning over, or even to pay for groceries when finances are a bit tight. However, when you are getting ready to swipe that card, take a step back and think about why you are making the purchase and whether it will benefit you and your financial wellness. So when does using your credit card makes sense and what pitfalls should you avoid? You’re strategically leveraging rewards. It’s perfectly possible to reap the benefits of cash back rewards without going into debt to earn them. How? Try using your credit card just for everyday purchases…

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Institute Editorial Team 09/13/2021

Women May Benefit More from Mindfulness

Women may benefit more from mindfulness than men. “Mindfulness” is a huge buzzword in the wellness world lately, and for good reason: it’s been scientifically shown to be able to reduce stress, anxiety symptoms, and even depression. With roots in Eastern religious traditions, it’s now practiced as a secular way to bring peace and gratitude into everyday life. One study found that the practice of mindfulness may be more impactful for women than men, at least in a college setting. Here’s everything you need to know about how mindfulness empowers women in particular, and what you need to do to get started with your own practice. What is mindfulness? The simplest definition of mindfulness is the practice of being here now. Mindfulness invites people to…

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Saya Des Marais 10/11/2021

5 Exercises for Practicing Self-Compassion

Have you ever beat yourself up or said unkind words to yourself? If you’re like most of us, your answer is probably “yes.” Especially as women, we tend to be our own worst critics, and we usually treat ourselves in cruel ways that we’d never treat other people!But there’s a different way. Self-compassion is the practice of being kind and understanding with ourselves — not only when we succeed, but when we fail, too. Here, we’ve compiled 5 exercises you can use to start practicing self-compassion. These practices are based on extensive research by Dr. Kristin Neff, a psychologist who specializes in self-compassion. Try to incorporate them into your daily schedule as much as possible. You can use these 5 exercises at any time, day…

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Saya Des Marais 02/28/2022

5 Essential Ways to Take Care of Yourself This Holiday Season

How will you take care of yourself this holiday season? The holidays can be merry, festive, and jolly 一 but they’re rarely so 100% of the time. “‘Tis the season to be jolly,” but for many people, it’s also the season to be stressed, anxious, sad, or overwhelmed. During this time of year, it’s more important than ever that you practice meaningful self-care practices to protect your mental health and get through those tough family gatherings with grace and your sanity. Here are 5 essential ways to take care of yourself this holiday season, from putting up boundaries in your schedule to not overindulging in the desserts. Avoid overscheduling. The holiday season can get chaotic quickly if you say yes to every invitation. Family is…

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Saya Des Marais 12/20/2021

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