Frequently Asked Questions

Laguna Beach, CA

  • Put simply, a financial advisor focuses on the behavior of your money, and a financial coach focuses on your behavior.

    A financial coach, or money coach, helps you form effective habits with daily money management, such as budgeting, saving money (emergency fund, retirement savings), paying off debt, buying a home, starting a business, and tackling your food spending, to name a few. A financial coach usually completes a certification program and does not sell financial products like insurance or investments.

    A financial advisor, or financial planner, typically helps you manage a portfolio of stocks and/or funds. They advise you on which stocks to invest in, and they help you get on track with saving enough money for living during retirement. Financial advisors must be licensed with the SEC and may undergo further licensure to become a CFP or CDFP for example. Financial advisors can also sell financial products.

  • Typically*, you can expect the following from financial coaching:

    -Save money ($200-$400 per month on average)

    -Save hundreds or thousands in interest payments by paying off your debt faster than you would on your own

    -Learn how to prevent future debt

    -Create a consistent financial routine

    -Pay yourself more money from your business

    -Learn the skill of saving money

    -Experience better communication & teamwork in your marriage around money

    -Learn to spend money intentionally without guilt

    *Results are dependent on the client. With the tools given, these results are likely to be achieved when the client is fully engaged & committed to the coaching process

  • Think about when you bring your car into the mechanic. They are unable to tell you how much repairs cost because they haven’t taken a look at your car yet. What do they say when you call? “Bring it in and I’ll take a look”.

    Although I do not post pricing online, I am happy to discuss my fee during our ~1-hour free consultation, no strings attached. Here’s why:

    1. You can actually experience coaching with me to see if it’s the right fit

    2. I can learn about your goals and evaluate the complexity of your situation

    3. WE can confirm if we’d mutually be a good fit, or I can refer you to the appropriate professional

    That being said, coaching can range from $150-$600+ per month depending on the scope or program being offered.

  • At NW Money Coaching we help you with not only personal finance management, but also small business finances. We specialize in helping our clients get a handle on their cash flow, create a consistent routine, and help them reach their personal goals much more efficiently.

    We are also a faith-based company, so we integrate Biblical values into our coaching when it is welcomed. We happily work with clients of all backgrounds.

    Cortney is a YNAB-certified coach for those clients looking to hone their YNAB skills, and both Cortney and Tauna help clients implement Profit First in their businesses.

    We also specialize in working with couples, helping them to get on the same page with their finances.